Opal card system triggers job cuts: union A union says over 130 Sydney rail jobs could go as the new Opal ticketing system is rolled out. MORE than 130 jobs in Sydney rail could go with the introduction of the new swipe-on Opal ticketing system, a union claims. The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says it was told the NSW government plans to slash frontline and supporting customer service jobs on Monday, as the auditor-general reported a seven per cent rise in passenger complaints. Secretary Alex Classens says the cuts will come with the Opal Card roll-out. Sydney Trains predicts 62 sales staff at various stations will go, along with 69 staff from a division that handles station facilities, passenger information and feedback. The 69 staff will be forced to reapply for a possible 49 jobs, Mr Classens says. "The government has known about the Opal Card system for months yet these workers are finding out just weeks before Christmas that they may soon be jobless," he said. Also announced on Monday was a plan to outsource electrical jobs on the Greater Sydney rail network, revealed by the NSW Electrical Trades Union NSW (ETU). The union says 21 electrical workers from RailCorp have been told they will not have a job next year due to a restructure. Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said those changes were proposals only and Monday was the start of consultation with staff and unions. Ms Berejiklian told AAP her reforms would ultimately mean more staff "out on stations" but the Opal rollout made cuts to ticket-selling positions likely. "New technology will mean customers won't have to ever queue to buy a ticket again, so naturally there could be some reduction in the need for staff at some ticket windows down the track," she said in a statement. We have always said our reforms will see more staff out on stations helping passengers, dealing with incidents and taking responsibility for their stations and the services being provided. Our staff will be more visible to customers and located where they are needed most. The Opal system is expected to be in place across 40 ferry wharves, more than 300 train stations and more than 5000 buses and light rail by 2015. NSW Greens transport spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi was disappointed jobs were on the line. "The government should be redeploying staff from ticketing windows to frontline customer service and safety, not using it is an opportunity to reduce public services," she said. The government should also be ashamed about outsourcing electrical maintenance staff. "Having an in-house group of electrical staff who understand the complicated needs of our train system is just commonsense," Dr Faruqi said.