🔵 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?

In the coming days, I’ll be looking into this. I’ve emailed Transport for NSW to work out how exactly fares are calculated. I’ll let you know how I go.

🗞️ 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.