THE Opal system will be expanded to include fast ferry services, with public transport users also able to pay by directly tapping on with their credit cards.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today that the Manly Fast Ferry would be the first system to trial credit card tap-on technology later this year.

media_camera Premier Gladys Berejiklian was at Manly Wharf to make the announcement. Picture: Annika Enderborg

But the State Government has ruled out a price hike, with the premier saying fares for both Sydney Ferries and private operators would stay the same.

Passengers over 18 will eventually be able to use Opal cards to buy alcohol on board, with an eye towards allowing people to use the cards in other areas, such as supermarkets.

But commuters will have to wait until early next year to use Opal cards on Manly Fast Ferry or Captain Cook Cruises services.

media_camera Until this announcement, the only water-based form of transport that used Opal was Sydney Ferries.

Ms Berejiklian said the upgrade was influenced by similar systems, like London’s Oyster and Hong Kong’s Octopus.

“We weren’t able to do this when the system first came in because obviously the private ferries and the public ferries have a different pricing structure,” she said.

“Now we have the technology and we are going to start negotiations to make sure it is all part of the same system.”

Any added cost will be absorbed by the Government.

media_camera Manly Fast Ferry boss Richard Ford. Picture: Virginia Young.

Manly Fast Ferry owner Richard Ford said it would make it more convenient to catch his services.

“I am pretty confident the technology is good in the background and the idea is to get it seamless for the passenger,” he said.

Mr Ford said the use of credit cards would allow them to eventually eliminate single ticket sales, but assured that it would not affect staff numbers.

“We operate both tourist and ferry services from our ticket office, so we still need our staff there to sell the tourist service, plus people still need information about the area,” he said.

“We are in the business of customer service, so we will have staff at the ticketing office.”

Manly Ferry rides out the Sydney storm Manly Ferry rides out the Sydney storm

Ms Berejiklian was joined by Manly Liberal candidate James Griffin, who called the announcement a win for commuters.

“Integrating the ticketing is a great thing for the fast ferry service,” he said.

It has revolutionised the travel from Manly for a lot of commuters and having caught it for many years this is a great advancement and a really positive step.”