October Newsletter #7: 🔵 Mystery and history

Train fare sorcerers, newspapers from the 30s, Ku-ring-gai rate hikes...

Huw Bradshaw
October 24, 2025

⏱️ The 53rd edition of our newsletter is a five-minute read.

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Morning everyone,

Is Transport for NSW in possession of an industrial random number generator that just makes up fares?

Or is there some unknowable logic behind a system that rarely fails to bend my mind. Every time I tap on to travel across the North Shore, I can’t come to any understanding of how my fare is calculated.

For example: A peak hour train ride from Ashfield to Artarmon, approximately 17km, set me back $3.76. Meanwhile, a one-stop metro trip, from Crows Nest to Victoria Cross — barely 1km — will cost me $4.33.

What gives?

I’m happy to pay for public transport, but I’d like it to make sense. Is that too much to ask?

🗞️ Anyway, let’s get into the rest of the news.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK 🎟️

FRIDAY, 24/10/25 | Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks
SATURDAY, 25/10/25 | Imperfectly Sustainable: Organic Gardening
SUNDAY, 26/10/25| Mary’s House Walk
SUNDAY, 26/10/25| Great Southern Bioblitz at Lane Cove National Park
SUNDAY, 26/10/25| Wahroonga Food + Wine Festival

HEARD THIS WEEK👂

📈 Ku-ring-gai ratepayers face $499 annual hike, as council cries poor

Residents of the Ku-ring-gai LGA may face a major rate rise in the coming year, after councillors voted last night to pursue a 29% “special rate variation” (SRV).

Read the full piece below.