Labor promises free public transport for children

LABOR will provide all children under 16-years-old with free public transport in an election promise announced today.

NSW Labor leader Michael Daley and Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren.

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LABOR will provide all children under 16-years-old with free public transport in an election promise announced today.

New NSW Labor leader Michael Daley, in his first major announcement since taking the job from Luke Foley, said the policy would also apply to people with a secondary concession card.

Labor says information obtained under Freedom of Information laws showed children would be charged $44 million in public transport fares in 2019/2020 under the current arrangements.

Mr Daley and Mr Warren announced funding for a business case study into high speed rail at Menangle Park earlier this year.

Under current rules, children are eligible for free travel to and from school when there home is 2.3km away.

Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said cost of living pressures affected families across NSW.

“Power prices, petrol prices — wherever you look the cost of living is just going up and up,” he said.

“But NSW Labor policies like this will actually make a real difference to families in NSW.

“This will allow children to get from A to B for free and will take some of the cars off our heavily congested roads.”

Mr Warren said Labor had budgeted to forgo the revenue provided by children paying fares.

Mr Daley said government should lend families a hand with financial pressures.

“Well, it’s time the government listens to you and works to make your life easier, like getting your kids to school for free,” he said.

“Ms Berejiklian and her government just doesn’t understand and just doesn’t care about the

pressures you’re under.

“She’s too busy putting tolls on our roads.”