Updated ,first published
Families who prepaid for rides on the Sydney Royal Easter Show app were unable to access it on the opening day of the event after a technical issue, and will have to wait weeks for refunds.
Some attendees have said they had to spend more money on rides and wait longer to get tickets on Thursday, after they were unable to access the Fun Pass app, which is used to preload credits.
A spokesperson for the Royal Agricultural Society, which organises the Sydney Royal Easter Show, said the app went down some time in the morning and that they were working to resolve the problem, but could not say when the app would become accessible again.
“The RAS sincerely apologises to patrons who experienced difficulties with the Fun Pass and its accompanying app on the opening day of the show,” they said.
People who want a refund for unused credits will have to wait until April 14, according to the purchase policy.
“Refunds will be processed within 12 business days and attract a $2.50 [including] GST processing fee,” the policy reads.
Digital wallets will be deleted a month later and will not carry over to next year’s show.
A post on Reddit warned that the Easter Show was in “chaos” after the app went down. “Anyone that has added money to the app is unable to use it. Thousands of kids are unable to get on the rides,” the post said.
“Don’t add money to the app (you’re throwing it away) but give them cash and they can buy a ‘physical card’ at the show.”
The Reddit post was updated about 2pm on Thursday to say “the kids have been advised its working again”.
A message in the app suggested it had also been updated about 6.30pm.
Tech provider Ludo founder Bart Wildash told the Herald users could not access the app due to a problem with an email service provider, preventing users logging in for about two hours on Thursday morning.
“Which at a live event can cause some confusion,” he said.
The app troubles came on the first day of the show, and the eve of NSW school holidays. Premier Chris Minns has been at pains to encourage people to continue their Easter holiday plans in the face of fears the nationwide high fuel prices since the war in Iran will discourage tourism.
Minns on Thursday dismissed suggestions Australia would return to pandemic-style restrictions, saying the nation remains a “long way” from rationing fuel.
Minns said the number of service stations without certain types of fuel remained at comparatively low levels – with 34 completely out of stock and 165 without diesel. He reiterated supply was available for those planning Easter weekend holidays.
“I don’t think it’s the right analogy to say we’re going back to coronavirus-style restrictions. That was devastating to the economies. It smashed up communities. We’re not doing home-schooling, we’re not doing lockdowns,” he told 2GB on Thursday.
“You’re not going to be restricted to your local community in the plan. If we have critical fuel shortages, rationing may occur, but that is vastly different.”
Asked how rationing would work, Minns said phase four of the plan would prioritise essential services and industries.
“But we are not at phase four,” Minns said.
“The second phase, which is a long way down the line, was to say to regular Australians, this is what we are considering.”
As cuts to the federal fuel excise trickle down to the bowser, Sydneysiders expressed relief about the small reprieve to surging cost-of-living pressures brought by the war.
Sam Aiello, 69, filled up his car with petrol this morning at the Ampol service station in Ashfield. He supports the decision to halve the tax on fuel.
Steve Caldwell, 63, was less impressed with the federal government’s measures. Speaking from a Shell service station in Croydon, Caldwell said he was driving less and riding his bicycle more to save on petrol.
He searches Sydney’s inner west for the most affordable fuel prices. He noticed it cost him less to fill up on Thursday than it did last week, as the cut to the excise slowly takes effect.
“I filled up last week, normally it takes about $70, $75 … two-thirds of a tank cost me $100 last week,” Caldwell said.
“I’ve dusted off my bicycle … it’s hurting the hip pocket too much.”
Elizabeth Arevalo, 53, commutes most days and was considering cutting back on driving before the excise cut brought some relief.
“I noticed on Tuesday prices were a little bit lower, which was great,” she said.
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Ellie Busby is a Parramatta reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
Max Maddison is a state political reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.
Emily Kaine is a national news blogger at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
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