The Western Australian government has announced that it is providing free public transport in Perth and regional WA for SmartRider users until January 28.
The WA government says the $10.4 million initiative will encourage people to support small businesses during this period and provides cost-of-living relief.
“We know rising interest rates mean families are doing it tough over the summer holidays, which can make it difficult to take the kids for a day out,” WA premier Roger Cook says.
“Every little bit helps, and our summer of free public transport can mean savings of around $30 for a family day out in the city.
“Importantly, it will help to encourage Western Australians to get out and about over summer and support local businesses and jobs.”
The WA government says a family of four travelling into the city during the holidays could save up to $100 both on public fare costs or driving and parking, with bus services a major focus.
Regular public transport passengers could also see savings of hundreds of dollars across the free travel period.
The new measures come on top of the successful two-zone fare cap, which the WA government says is a key pillar of its cost-of-living support.
The WA government says the scheme caps all public transport to two zones and is saving regular public transport users thousands of dollars every year.
“The WA government is doing everything it can to make travel cheaper for all Western Australians whether that be through our successful two-zone fare cap or our Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“Very soon more Western Australians that ever before will be able to benefit from our two-zone cap and world class public transport network with a number of major METRONET projects reaching completion in the next 18 months.”