The Push To Keep Public Transport Free

From March to June, public transport in Victoria was free. Labor introduced the change as a temporary cost-of-living measure to "ease pressure at the pump" resulting from the US-Israel war on Iran.

It's the second time this year Victorians have had a taste of free public transport, after a summer of free travel to celebrate the opening of the Metro Tunnel.

Labor extended cost relief benefits past June, halving the maximum cost of a daily travel fare to $5.70 until 1 January 2027, but it makes you wonder: could we have free transport all the time?

This is the current focus of the Tomorrow Movement, an intersectional youth movement fighting for a society with good jobs, great public services and a safe climate.

In March they launched their "Keep Public Transport free" campaign with the simple premise: the Victoria government has proven that public transport can be free, why not make it permanent?

The benefits are obvious. Free travel leads to more people on public transport. During Victoria's free travel months, March 31 and May 11, an increase of 19 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.

Similarly, Queensland, which introduced permanent 50-cent fares in February 2025 has seen a increase by 21% in passenger uptake across the state.

And the change is more affordable that we think.

"One of the really frustrating things about the public transport system is that you pay for it twice," says National Director of the Tomorrow Movement Will Potter, "first in your taxes, and then whenever you tap on".

Of this public funding, fares make up relatively little, accounting for just 19% of total network operating costs, according to a recent government audit. The rest (81%) is made up through our taxes.

Will points out that we don't do this double up with other public amenities, "no one expects pay a fair to go into the library."

Queensland, again, provides useful case study change. Move to 50 cent fares has cost the government a reported $300 million in lost revenue, but saved passengers $423 million in its first year of operation.

The Tomorrow Movement takes Queensland's system shift a step further, arguing it's more expensive to have a fare at all, due to the maintenance of ticketing and inspector systems.

Instead, they suggest, the public transport operations revenue currently through fares could be rolled into a slightly higher tax, and do away with a the Myki ticketing system altogether which has been subject to budget blowouts, delays, and high operational costs.

"I think the the case could be made that you're also paying for it a third time in that the cost of having a ticketing system is one that stops people from going out, " Will says.

With Victoria being the second highest fare in the country (especially if using VLINES), the daily fare remains a barrier for a lot of people.

By removing a fare, Will says public transport can help stimulate local business by encouraging people to use PT when they go out, but also open up travel for those who can't access or afford a car.

"I think the freeing thing about having free public transport was being able to be like oh I'd love to go to this cafe, restaurant, shops that are like just down the street, a few stops on the tram and being able to just go and do it and not being like, that's going to cost me $10 there and back."

Beyond the issue of fares, transport advocates, say there is also a desperate need for transport justice more generally: ensuring all passengers across the state have equal access to the public transport network.

The Tomorrow Movement has found this in their own campaign conversations. "There's significant [transport] black spots around Melbourne and there's like people with disability, two groups that we've spoken to as part of the campaign who were like "ok it's free, but we still can't use it."

(Train stations across the state continue to fail to meet national accessibility standards, and despite it being legislated, Victoria is far behind on it's commitment to trams are useable for commuters with disabilities or accessibility issues. Buses remain surprisingly one of the more accessible options, being able to raise their floor as required for someone in a wheelchair, movement limitations or with a pram. However, as anyone stuck waiting for a bus will know, punctuality and reliability remains a problem.)

Will says these conversations shows "there are so many justice elements tied up into this" issue. The group have expanded their campaign with a long term focus to advocating for a more frequent, reliable and accessible transport system.

But for now, the group plan to get more voices involved in their campaign and signatures for their petition (QR code below). They plan to present the request to the State Minister of Public Active Transport and the Minister for Youth, with more actions planned for the upcoming state election.

They are confident this change is possible. "The Victorian government proved they could make public transport free," Will says "that's a different position to be in than just like asking for some blue sky idea. It's actually quite easy for them to do."

If you would like to sign the petition you can do so here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/keep-pt-free

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Authorised by Gregory Hardisty, Winton Road, Ashburton, Vic. 3147

Ways to Connect

Bluesky - Email - Instagram

Privacy Policy