<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Up to $70 million is set to be wiped from unused Opal cards as the NSW government looks to recover the unspent funds to invest in improving transport options around the state.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Around 17 million Opal cards have positive balances that haven't been used in five years, and many of these are unregistered, meaning their owners cannot be tracked down.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, a new bill being tabled by the Minns government this week would allow that money to be recouped and spent on improving current infrastructure.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/israel-gaza-update-trump-demands-hamas-return-dead-hostages/5a03c720-07a9-4369-9c3d-3beda3b3215f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Four coffins returned with hostage remains as pressure increases</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to the government, many of these cards belong to interstate or international travellers who bought one-off cards, but left the state with some money still on the card.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is believed the average balance on these cards is $4.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The bill will propose amending the Passenger Transport Act 2014, allowing for the recovery to take place.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/opal-card-sydney-nsw-70-million/fcea8b7c-4b48-443e-a810-c8e68be03871" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Transport Minister John Graham revealed the funds would be focused on improving bike facilities around the state, including more bike lockers at train stations and an upgraded e-bike system.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/dangelo-death-grammy-winning-r-and-b-singer-michael-eugene-archer-untitled-how-does-it-feel-dies-at-51/82b694fb-bf70-4503-aab0-ef86f37c28b0" target="_blank"><strong><span>Grammy-winning R&amp;B singer who became an icon dead at 51</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This bill proposes to put those otherwise unused funds into transport investments, particularly much-needed initiatives that will connect people to transport hubs by better active transport infrastructure and Opal-powered bike lockers," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These are things that will benefit the people of NSW using the network every day."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Graham also announced there would be a year-long campaign that would alert people to the changes and allow them to recover their funds.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Opal cards are used on all public transport in NSW, including trains, buses, metro, light rail and ferry services.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Commuters add funds to their card online or at a kiosk at a train station, then "tap on" to a card reader at a station or on a bus.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Commuters are also able to travel using bank cards or smartphones, bypassing the need for an Opal card.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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