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Ahead of its austere “mini-budget” this month, the NSW Government has revealed that it’s paying bus operators up to $100 million a year to cover the cost of “phantom” trips to school.
A “phantom” bus trip is defined as one that terminates at the Opera House. Passengers then disembark and change for gondola services in the sewers deep below.
To be eligible for phantom bus travel, students must be in uniform—black cape and white mask—masquerade as the “Angel of Music” during Act I, and suffer from at least a moderate level of facial deformity.
Although the government is planning a crackdown on phantom bus rides, all the Phantom really wants is to be loved.
Other Broadway-inspired mini-budget measures include betrayal (Jesus Christ Superstar); popular disenchantment (Les Miserables); and a significant withdrawal of services (Miss Saigon).
Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman enjoy a phantom ride on Sydney's ferry network.
