All PTV regional buses, town buses and V/Line coaches will be capped to make regional travel easier and cheaper for passengers
The Victorian government says it is transforming the way Victorians travel across the state, with the regional fare cap now in effect to make regional public transport fares fair.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll today joins the first passengers to benefit from the new regional fare cap, travelling by train from Southern Cross Station to Woodend Station.
The cost of a daily ticket on the entire regional Victorian network is now capped at the same prices as metropolitan daily fares for both buses and trains – currently $9.20 for a full fare or $4.60 for a concession. On a weekend or public holiday, daily fares are capped at $6.70 and currently just $3.35 for concession.
Carroll says the cap means more money in regional Victorians’ pockets and more opportunities for families in Melbourne and visitors to the state to explore everything Victoria has to offer.
It also ensures families living in rural and regional Victoria can visit loved ones and access health and education services in other regional cities and in Melbourne.
For those who take long-distance V/Line or bus/ coach journeys, the regional fare cap can save people more than $40 for each and every one-way journey on the regional public transport network.
The cap also applies to interstate travel within 60 kilometres of the Victorian border, as well as Albury, Merimbula, Deniliquin and Mt Gambier, to ensure those living in border communities in New South Wales and South Australia benefit as well. The fare cap applies to all PTV regional buses, town buses and V/Line trains and coaches.
The Victorian government says it is continuing to boost the public transport network across regional Victoria.
“We’re delivering for all Victorians – making public transport more affordable and accessible to passengers in every corner of our state to ensure they can get to where they need to go,” Carroll says.
“The regional fare cap will transform the way Victorians travel – and will also provide a huge benefit to regional tourism and businesses.”