Melbourne’s cost of travel increases as costs of insurance, public transport and fuel climb

Transport costs have surged faster than the rate of inflation as Melbourne families continue to pay more to get around the city. This is how much the cost of travel has increased in the past year.

Transport costs have surged faster than the rate of inflation as Melbourne families continue to pay more to get around the city.

The latest Transport ­Affordability Index by the Australian Automobile Assoc­iation shows Melburnians are paying an extra $17.35 a week for travel than they did over the same period last year.

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The biggest factor behind the surge was fuel, with the average household paying $75.31 a week compared to $62.59 in the third quarter of 2017.

Melbourne remains the second most expensive city for transport in Australia — behind only Sydney — as the price of car insurance and public transport fares have also continued to climb in Victoria.

RACV’s vehicle engineering policy manager Michael Case said Victorians should shop around and monitor fuel price cycles for value.

“Rising transport costs and, in particular, petrol prices are a major concern for our members,” he said.

“We encourage motorists to top up rather than fill up when prices are high. This helps to average out the fuel budget over time.

“As a general guide, regular searches for the cheapest fuel can save motorists hundreds of dollars a year.”

The total cost of transport for households in the state capital rose 4.7 per cent while the national consumer price index rose only 1.9 per cent.

The index also found Melbourne was the most expensive city in Australia for comprehensive car insurance, with motorists paying $33.30 a week on average.

Geelong households averaged a whopping $92.02 for fuel every week because of higher petrol prices and longer distances travelled.

Transport spending represents 15.3 per cent of household income in Melbourne.

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