Cheaper, Simpler And Fairer Public Transport For Kids

The Andrews Labor Government is making it cheaper, simpler and fairer for children to travel on public transport.

From today, the age at which a child must start carrying a myki will be lifted from four to five, saving parents the expense and hassle of getting their child a ticket before they’ve even started school.

At the same time, the Labor Government will lift the eligibility age for a child myki ticket from 16 to 18.

The change means young people will have access to concession fares until they are 19, even if they aren’t at school or university.

For a 17 or 18 year old working instead of studying, the shift will save them as much as $800 a year.

In an added bonus, 17 and 18 year olds will now be able to use a learners drivers licence or Proof of Age card to prove their eligibility for concession fares.

This change will save up to 10,000 fulltime students the hassle and cost of buying a PTV School Student ID.

Concession card holders are already benefiting from the new concession cap on weekends, which has reduced the cost of Zone 1+2 travel on Saturday and Sunday from $3.90 to $3.00.

And all passengers are benefiting from the abolition of the former Liberal Government’s ineffective and unfair on-the-spot fines regime, which intimidated vulnerable passengers and encouraged serial fare evasion.

Further information about the Labor Government’s improvements to public transport fares, visit ptv.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"These changes will save a lot of money and a lot of hassle for families using our public transport system."

"From today, kids won’t need a ticket until they’re five and they’ll be guaranteed cheaper fares until they’re an adult. Plus we’ve scrapped the ineffective and unfair on-the-spot fines the former Liberal Government introduced."

"We’re making public transport simpler, fairer and cheaper for families, and getting on with building the major projects we need to run more services and get people home safer and sooner."