NEWCASTLE LIGHT RAIL USERS PAYING 96 CENTS MORE PER FARE

Bad news for Newcastle’s light rail users – the standard fare has increased by more than 40 percent.

A single journey now costs $3.20, up from $2.24.

That’s four times the amount recommended by the state’s pricing watchdog, IPART.

However, off-peak fares have also been introduced and the maximum weekend cost for Opal card holders has been slashed to just over $8.