Free public transport in Victoria and Tasmania: Start date revealed

Overview of Free Public Transport Initiatives

Fuel prices have continued to rise across the country as war rages in the Persian Gulf, prompting some states to make public transportation free for all. This article explores which states have embraced free train, bus and ferry fares, and which have rejected them.

Victoria

Metropolitan and V/line services will be free in Victoria from March 31 until April 30. Premier Jacinta Allan said the “temporary” measure would help Victorian families and ease demand for petrol. The Victorian government has estimated the measure will cost $70 million.

Tasmania

Buses and ferries in Tasmania are free for the next three months. From March 30 until June 30, all services operated by Metro Tasmania, Tassielink Transit, Kinetic, Manions Coaches, Calows Coaches, Area Connect, and Derwent Ferries will be free. All government-contracted school bus services that charge a fare will also be free during this period. Bus usage in Tasmania rose 20 per cent in the week before free fares were announced. The Tasmanian government estimates free transport will cost about $850,000 each month, or just over $2.5 million up until July.

Queensland

Queensland introduced permanent 50 cent fares across all Translink public transport in 2024. In Brisbane these fares cover all train, ferry and bus journeys, and in regional Queensland the 50 cent flat fare applies to all Translink network regional bus services in the following areas:

Bowen
Bundaberg
Cairns
Fraser Coast
Gladstone
Gympie
Innisfail
Kilcoy
Mackay
Rockhampton and Yeppoon
Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Toowoomba
Townsville
Warwick
Whitsundays

As of February the number of South East Queenslanders using public transport has increased by more than 20 per cent, according to the Queensland Treasury.

New South Wales

NSW Transport Minister John Graham said the state would lose “millions of dollars for every single day” if public transport was made free and insisted fares would remain in place. Both the NSW Liberal Party and the transport union urged the state government to counter rising fuel costs by making public travel free. Fares on the Sydney Metro Network start at $4.33 during peak hours on trains and $3.30 for buses.

South Australia

South Australian treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has said it would not be responsible to offer free public transport. “Yes, it would be lovely to give everyone free public transport and free car parking and a puppy,” Mr Koutsantonis said. The state’s transport minister Joe Szakacs previously said the government had no plans to lower fares, which are set at $4.55 during peak hours on the Adelaide Metro and $2.60 during off-peak hours. The SA Liberal Party, the Greens, the South Australian Business Chamber and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union have all called for free public transport.

Western Australia

SBS News has reported Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has ruled out lower fares, adding they were already at a “historically low” level. “Rick Astley was top of the charts when fares were this low in Western Australia back in the 80s,” Mr Cook said. Mr Cook previously said as of March 19 there was a 15 per cent increase in bus, train and ferry boardings. Western Australia introduced the Go Anywhere Fare of $2.80 across Transperth and Transregional networks, as well as free fares on Sundays statewide and during the week in the Perth Free Transit Zone.

Northern Territory

All public bus services in the greater Darwin region and Alice Springs have been free since July 2024.

Australian Capital Territory

On March 24, the ACT Legislative Assembly voted against a motion to introduce 50-cent public transport fares. The Canberra Times later reported ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr would request federal funding to make Canberra’s buses and trams free. A peak hour MyWay+ fare in Canberra is set at $3.41 and is reduced to $2.70 during off-peak hours and on weekends. Canberra also has a daily fare cap of $10.16 during the week and $6.22 on weekends.