Victoria, where life moves at a relentless pace, is renowned for its vibrant public transport system that acts as the heartbeat of the city. Trains, trams, and buses connect urban and rural areas, creating a seamless symphony of movement that carries thousands daily toward their destinations. Now, the state is taking a bold step forward to make this already robust system even more accessible and convenient.
Starting from January 2026, children under 18 will be able to travel free of charge on all public transport services across Victoria. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families and improve mobility for everyone. The move is part of a broader effort to support residents amid rising living costs, with the government investing $318 million over the next four years to fund the program.
Premier Jacinta Allan highlighted that this scheme could save families up to $755 per child annually, roughly the cost of a yearly student travel pass. For families with three children, this could mean a savings of approximately $2,265 each year. To access the free travel, children will need to apply for a new, distinctive-colored youth myki card and continue to tap on and off the network as usual.
Officials say that collecting data through these cards will help plan and improve future services. In regional areas, fares were capped at $11 per day in 2023, but unlike Queensland’s universal 50-cent fares, Victoria’s free travel initiative targets specifically youth and seniors, aiming to provide targeted support.
Premier Allan emphasized that the budget, themed “Focused on What Matters Most,” is dedicated to helping working families cope with the rising costs of living. However, she also indicated that implementing these measures might cause some delays in the state’s forecasted return to a budget surplus next year.
Economists express concerns about Victoria’s mounting debt, which is projected to hit $187.3 billion by mid-2028, with daily interest payments reaching around $25 million. The question now is whether the government will be able to sustain such a significant investment without further straining the state’s finances.
As the new initiative prepares to roll out, ordinary residents await to see if the funding will be available to keep Victoria’s promise of accessible, free public transport for the city’s youth and seniors, and how it might reshape daily life across the state.
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