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Victoria’s free public transport period is coming to an end, with reduced fares kicking off from Monday.
Victorians will no longer be able to travel for free on public transport with the state government’s fare-free period coming to a close on Monday, June 1.
The Allan government initiative was brought in earlier this year, presented as a relief for households in a cost-of-living crisis and a way to ease fuel pressures incurred by the US-Iran conflict.
Sunday will be the last day for commuters to take advantage of the free ride.
From Monday, travellers are expected to tap on with their Myki card as fares return at half-price.
The reduced-fare reprieves are expected to cost taxpayers $432m in lost revenue.
Upon launching the scheme, Premier Jacinta Allan said it would help “keep a lid” on fuel demands and take cars off the road, significantly reducing traffic delays.
In a statement, she estimated daily commuters would save a total of $850 during the half-price fare period.
The daily full fare cap of $11.40 will drop to $5.70, while concession fares will drop from $5.70 to $2.85.
The discounted fares will remain in place until 2027 and will include travel on all trains, trams and buses, as well as regional trains, coaches and buses (including intertown and regional town bus services).
It excludes SkyBus, ferries and non-subsidised regional bus services.
Transport Victoria’s contactless payment trial will resume on selected train lines before being rolled out to the entire Myki train network.
Public transport will remain permanently free for under 18s and special card holders.
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