Cheaper Regional Fares Now In Effect
The Andrews Labor Government 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 joined 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 – 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.
That 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 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 Labor Government is continuing to boost the public transport network across regional Victoria, running more trains, more often – investing nearly $1.5 billion in 59 new VLocity trains since 2014, which has created around 500 jobs.
Since 2014, an extra 800 V/Line train services have also been added – with a record 2,200 regional train services now operating every week. Almost 200 extra weekend services are set to be added to the V/Line timetable from 2024 – with a further order of 23 VLocity trains to meet the demands of a growing network.