Bold Victorian plan to make public transport free amid rising petrol costs

A bold new plan could see Victorians collectively save around $75 million per month in a bid to relieve soaring cost-of-living pressures.

A bold new plan to make public transport free in Victoria has been launched amid concern about the rising cost of living.

Petrol prices have soared in recent weeks placing unprecedented pressure on families, with the cost rising to $2.20 per litre as a direct result of the war in Ukraine.

But a unique new plan being put forward by the Victorian Greens is offering a solution: asking the government to temporarily make public transport free.

“Petrol prices are sky-high right now and Victorians across the state are struggling with the cost-of-living,” Victorian Greens MP Sam Hibbins said

“The government must act now to reduce cost-of-living pressures and seize the opportunity to support a shift out of expensive, polluting petrol vehicles to cheaper, cleaner transport.”

The free public transport could collectively save Victorians around $75 million each month. Picture: Mark Stewart

The move would potentially see public transport commuters in Melbourne’s Zone 1 and 2 areas save up to $171 per person each month, as well as reduce carbon emissions.

The Greens also want to see the government introduce a $5000 clean transport credit for people who scrap their old and polluting petrol cars.

The minor party claims that could be used for public transport or to subsidise the cost of buying an electric vehicle or e-bike.

Mr Hibbins said free public transport would relieve families, young people and renters who were struggling to make ends meet.

The Greens are pushing for free public transport in Victoria to address high petrol prices. Picture Norm Oorloff

He estimated it would cost the government around $75 million a month.

“An incentive for Victorians to ditch their petrol-guzzling cars in favour of more sustainable forms of transport will accelerate the shift toward cheaper, cleaner transport,” he said.

“Without action Victorians are facing a climate, cost-of-living and congestion crisis.”

Premier Daniel Andrews shot down the proposal. Picture: David Caird

But the idea was already shot down by the Public Transport Users Association, with a spokesperson claiming it would not help residents living in areas where there were little public transport options.

Public transport expert Professor Graham Currie also questioned how effective the measure would be, telling Melbourne radio station 3aw it wouldn’t benefit those who needed it the most.

“I don’t think this is that worth it,” he said.

“The people that would be benefiting are often higher income people because they tend to be doing commuting and so forth, so I’m not too sure we need to subsidise it.

“You won’t get too much ridership growth from it but it will certainly help some people, it’ll cost a lot of money as well.

Some governments have opted to reduce the cost of public transport as a result of high fuel prices. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The Tasmanian government on Tuesday announced it would make all public bus travel across the state free for five weeks, starting from March 28.

Transport Minister Michael Ferguson announced the measure, saying it had been introduced to alleviate the impact of high fuel prices.

“The Tasmanian government will foot the bill for this initiative, which has the dual purpose of supporting family budgets and encouraging commuters to switch from private car travel to public transport,” Mr Ferguson said in a statement.

“While higher fuel prices are due to global fuel market uncertainty, we understand the impact it is causing on cost of living pressures.”

New Zealand also halved the cost of travelling on public transport in response to rising petrol prices, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not ruled out reducing the excise in the budget.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday said the government wasn’t considering making transport in Victoria free.

He called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to use next week’s federal budget to address the cost of living.

“I’m not going to stand and pretend to any of you, let alone to Victorians, that I can magically reduce the price of petrol, I cannot do that,” Mr Andrews told reporters.