Public transport users in Sydney will not be able to buy Opal cards from permanent ticket windows at train stations.
The state government confirmed the restriction on future Opal card sales as it announced passengers who wanted to travel via train, ferry or bus anonymously on the card would at last be able to buy unregistered smart cards.
But they will be able to do so only at selected railway stations and on selected days.
From Monday, temporary "pop-up kiosks" are being set up at some of Sydney's busiest train stations to sell Opal cards.
The card has previously only been available to people ordering online or by phone who register it to their name and address.
Fairfax Media, meanwhile, confirmed with Transport for NSW on Monday that the government would not allow existing Sydney Trains staff to sell Opal cards over the counter at train stations.
This has left some flabbergasted, with shadow transport minister Penny Sharpe saying it was a waste of existing taxpayer resources.
"I think it's a waste of money; it's a duplication of resources and fundamentally it's bad customer service," Ms Sharpe said.
Ms Sharpe added that staff at counters were often asked about Opal cards but were forbidden to help, leaving customers unhappy.
The NSW branch secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Alex Claassens, said he understood contract staff were selling tickets at the kiosks.
"Almost 100 ticket-seller jobs have been slashed and yet the government is spending money on contractors to do the same job," he said.
"This government will go to any length to contract out or privatise - this is just the latest example."