Myki fares rise in cost of living hit

Daily Myki fares will jump to $10 in a major increase, while motorists will also be stung as car rego costs go up.

Daily Myki fares will rise to $10 from next month in a major increase to public transport costs for commuters.

The hike is above the current rate of inflation and comes as Victorians are already facing skyrocketing bills for groceries, power, petrol and consumer goods, along with soaring mortgage repayments and rents.

From July 1, a single public transport fare will rise from $4.60 to $5 while a daily fare will go from $9.20 to $10.

The changes amount to an 8.7 per cent hike, which is above the 6.8 per cent increase in the consumer price index over the past 12 months. It is the first fare increase since January 1, 2022.

Myki fares will be more expensive from July 1.

Passengers who buy monthly and yearly Myki passes will pay $6 a day compared to $5.52 now. For a whole year, this would be an increase of $175.20.

The changes are also expected to apply across V/Line, where all regional rail tickets have been brought into line with those in Melbourne.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the fares were a “pretty big rise” for those living in the city.

“Some rise may be understandable, but there is a cost-of-living crisis on and I don’t think people will be welcoming it,” he said on Thursday.

“Particularly when one comes during the middle of major works closing half the rail line, it can be a disincentive. People will consider their options when there is a fare rise.”

Motorists will also be hit with a hike, with the three-year cost of licence renewals to go up by $3.40. Across the state, car registrations will rise by $12.50.

Last month’s state budget outlined an expected increase in revenue from car registrations but these prices were not included at the time.

The Transport Accident Charge – the biggest part of registration bills – has been frozen, and the government believes this will save motorists $40 from the increase that would have typically been passed on.

A daily Myki fare will rise from $9.20 to $10.

Opposition public transport spokesman Richard Riordan slammed the move as a “cost-of-living smash”.

He also criticised the government for the timing of the fare changes – typically announced on January 1.

“This is really going to start hurting, particularly to be charging (nearly) $1 a day more,” Mr Riordan said.

“They should have held it back until at least after our winter of discontent (lengthy rail disruptions).”

A government spokeswoman said: “From free car rego for apprentices to free kinder for all Victorian children, capped regional train fares and the Power Saving Bonus, we’re doing everything we can to drive down the everyday cost of living for Victorians.”