Ride public transport for free on NYE

PUBLIC transport on Christmas Day was free for Victorian travellers, and the state government will again offer free travel on New Year’s Eve.

Travel on trains, trams, buses and V/ Line services will be free from 6pm on December 31 until 6am on January 1, 2019.

With about 350,000 people expected to head into Melbourne’s CBD to bring in the new year, and most catching public transport, services will run all night to cater for the crowds.

After midnight, trains will run every 10 minutes until 1.30am with extra services running through the night. Until 2am, trams will run every five to 10 minutes with buses also departing the city every 15 minutes.

For regional passengers, V/Line will operate additional services as well as night coaches from Southern Cross. Passengers returning home on New Year’s Day will also be able to travel for free on the first service on each line.

“Free public transport during the festive period will make it cheaper and easier to spend time with friends and family, and leave the car at home,” Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said.

“We’re keeping travel accessible and affordable while we deliver the biggest build in Victoria’s history.”

For information and timetables, head to ptv.vic.gov.au.

The new year will also bring the annual adjustment to public transport fares. In 2019, fares will increase by the CPI value of 2.2 per cent on average, which the state government says is the lowest annual fare rise in four years.

From January 1, a two-hour, full fare Zone 1+2 ticket will increase 10 cents from $4.30 to $4.40, and a daily, full fare Zone 1+2 ticket will increase from $8.60 to $8.80.

For regional Victorians, town bus fares will remain unchanged, with the cost of a trip within the same zone capped at $2.40 for the fourth consecutive year.