People are being encouraged to stay safe over the holiday period with safe travel being encouraged
Public transport over the Christmas and New Year period will be free in some areas, as announced recently.
State Governments are also encouraging residents to drive safely over the holiday season.
VICTORIA
The Victoria Government will provide free public transport on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve across the state.
Minister for public transport Jacinta Allan has announced passengers will not pay a cent to travel on Christmas Day or between 6pm on New Year’s Eve and 6am on New Year’s Day.
There will be no need for a myki during these times, and if passengers do accidentally touch on, they will not be charged.
Public Transport will run all night on New Year’s Eve, and will run all night on weekends throughout 2016 as part of the Labor Government’s Night Network trial.
“This will make it safer, cheaper and easier to celebrate, without the hassle of having to get the car home,” says Allen.
“We are making public transport better, so people can get home safer and sooner this Christmas, New Year’s, and all year round.”
AUSTRALIA CAPITAL TERRITORY
Action buses will run a revised timetable over the Christmas and New Year period from December 21 2015 to Friday 8 January 2016.
Public holiday services will run to a Sunday timetable. There is a special service on Christmas Day and all travel will be free.
A limited amount of hard copy timetables will be available from bus stations and MyWay recharge agents from December 7.
NEW ZEALAND
On New Year’s Eve additional NiteRider and Northern Express services will be operating in Auckland.
Timetables operating during the Christmas and New Year holiday period are available online.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Western Australia Government has launched its latest road safety campaigns as it urges motorists to eliminate risky driving behaviour ahead of the Christmas holiday season.
Road safety minister Liza Harvey says the drink driving campaign, ‘Only A Little Bit Over’ and ‘Grow Up’ reinforce that drink driving is dangerous and juvenile behaviour.
Harvey says although all motorists had something to learn from the campaign, it will target young men.
“More than 80 per cent of people killed or seriously injured in alcohol-related crashes were men and they need to understand that it’s not just a matter of losing your licence – you could lose your life or kill someone else,” she says.
“Recent statistics show about a quarter of fatal crashes were related to drink driving and that should be a wake-up call to anyone who thinks even a little bit over the limit is okay.”
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Northern Territorians are being reminded to play it safe this festive season as Police ramp up surveillance of the Territory’s highways and waterways.
Minister for police and transport Peter Chandler says no family wants to have a loved one missing this Christmas because of bad decisions made on our roads, on the water or even in our pubs.
“I plead with each and every Territorian. Ask yourself – is your car road ready? Who’s your Sober Bob? How will you avoid the fatal five of speed, fatigue, drink and drug driving, distraction, not wearing a seatbelt,” he says.
“The best Christmas present Territory families can get this year would be no more deaths, no more injuries, and no more accidents. Take water, spare tyres, radiator hoses and fan belts, inform people of your route and timeframes and call someone on your arrival to let them know you’re safe.”
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