Victorian premier defends free public transport amid soaring debt

Credit rating risk warning on Vic Labor’s free transport handouts

Global agency S&P warns the Allan government’s $400m promise for free and discounted trams, trains and buses leaves the state’s credit rating at risk.

Victorian premier defends free public transport amid soaring debt

From June, the daily fare cap will be cut from $11.40 to $5.70, with full-time commuters tipped to save about $880 over seven months.

Government announces more trains, more services and free public transport

Public transport in Victoria will be free until the end of May. Image: Leonid Andronov/stock.adobe.comThe Victorian Government has made several announcements around public transport over the past two days.   Free public transport has been extended to the end of May, with half-price fares to follow for the rest of the year.   The Government has also revealed that the Victorian Budget 2026/2027 will invest $637.6 million to deliver 25 new X’Trapol…

Free transport produces modest impact

Free public transport in Victoria has made a marginal impact on car use, analysis from the University of Melbourne shows.

Victoria extends free public transport for another month, halves fares for rest of 2026

Public transport will be free for another month across Victoria before fares are then halved until the end of 2026.  The post Victoria extends free public transport for another month, halves fares for rest of 2026 appeared first on SmartCompany.

Free PT extended, half-fares from June

Free travel on Victorian public transport has been extended until the end of May, with half-price fares for the remainder of the year. The State Government has allocated $432 million in its 2026-’27 budget for the “Free travel now – cheaper fares next” initiative. It extends the free PT travel period, which was to run for April only. The cost-of-living relief measure is said to respond to higher fuel prices, which soared 50 per cent soon after t…