Labor introduces $30 weekly cap for Victorian public transport

The Victorian Labor government has announced a $30 weekly cap on public transport fares, set to begin on January 1, the day after half-price fares end. This move aims to provide cost-of-living relief amid rising interest rates and increased petrol prices. The cap will run for two years until December 2028 and is expected to save regular commuters up to $1,400 a year.

The announcement was welcomed by Swinburne university transport expert Prof Hussein Dia, who noted that it would provide households with certainty during the cost-of-living crisis. However, he pointed out that the benefits would not be equitable, with the greatest advantages going to those with good access to public transport.

The Greens leader, Ellen Sandell, urged the government to go further and make public transport free, stating that after 12 years in government, Labor is only offering Victorians a temporary discount with an expiry date after the election. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also called on the major political parties to show some fiscal restraint ahead of the November 28 election.