International students in Victoria will be eligible for a 50 per cent discount on fares from 2015
International students in Victoria will be eligible for a 50 per cent discount on public transport from 2015.
Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder says the initiative will provide a 50 per cent discount on annual public transport tickets covering trains, trams and buses for all eligible international students from 2015.
“Victoria’s scheme will make available discounted tickets in all metropolitan travel zones, including Zone 1 only which covers inner Melbourne, as well as within regional centres,” he says.
“The scheme will be trialled from 2015 for three years in partnership with education providers to reduce transport costs for eligible students in eligible Melbourne metropolitan and country educational institutions.
“This will make international students feel even more welcome when they come to study in Victoria and enhance our reputation as a world leading international student city.”
International education is Victoria’s largest single export, worth over $4.3 billion annually, according to Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher.
“We are proud of the high quality educational experience we can offer international students and we are committed to ensuring they also have a safe and rewarding time in Melbourne and Victoria and every opportunity to enjoy our acclaimed quality of life,” she says.
Asher says the new scheme joins a range of other initiatives to improve the international student experience in Victoria.
These include support for the International Student Welcome Desk at Melbourne Airport that ensures new students have the information they need to adapt quickly to life in Victoria and an International Student Care Service.