- Published:
- Sunday 4 December 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is making public transport fairer, cheaper and easier to understand for kids and families.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan has unveiled important changes to the fare structure that will cut the cost of transport for thousands of concession card holders across Victoria.
From 30 January next year, 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 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.
A new weekend cap for concession card holders will also be introduced on 1 January as part of broader fare changes. The new cap will reduce the cost of travelling on Saturday and Sunday from $3.90 to $3.00.
The former Government failed to cap concession fares on the weekend, making kids and seniors fork out more than half the cost of a full fare cap – despite all other concession fares being a half the cost of a full fare ticket.
The on-the-spot fines introduced by the former Liberal Government will also be abolished next year, as part of the Labor Government’s reforms to simplify Victoria’s fare enforcement system and make it fairer and more effective.
Public transport will be free across Victoria on Christmas Day and from 6pm on New Year’s Eve until 6am on New Year’s Day to help people celebrate with family and friends.
To support these fare reductions and other improvements to Victoria’s public transport system, other myki fares will increase on 1 January, as they do every year.
Further information on the improvements to public transport fares is available at ptv.vic.gov.au.
Statement for Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“These changes will make simpler, fairer and cheaper for families and kids to travel on public transport.”
“The Liberals made four year olds buy a ticket and kids pay too much. We don't think that's fair and we're fixing it.”
“These changes will make a real difference for families who rely on public transport, making it easier for their kids to get home safe.”