Paper transport tickets turfed in New South Wales from today

Paper public transport tickets are bound for the shredder in NSW, with the humble stubs no longer sold or accepted as of this morning. 

Commuters in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong will have to buy an Opal card or be left behind at the station.

"I need to remind everyone that people who still use paper tickets to travel on trains, buses, ferries and light rail need to prepare themselves and get an Opal card," NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said.

Transport for New South Wales has received an 80 percent increase in the amount of Opal cards purchased in July compared to an average month in the commuter rush to get organised.

Travellers can also opt for single-use Opal cards, however, they are yet to appear at every station in time for today's overhaul. 

There are more than three million Opal cards in circulation.

With AAP.