Lower regional PT fairs launching

A REGIONAL fare cap for public transport is beginning next Friday with Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, visiting Southern Cross Station earlier this week to announce the change.

It will cap the cost of a daily ticket on Victorian public transport to the same price as a metro fare.

The maximum price for a trip will be $9.80 for a full fare or $4.60 for concession.

This rate will be reduced on public holidays to $6.70 for full fare and $3.35 for concession.

A current return fare from Southern Cross to Bendigo can cost up to $68, meaning travellers will see significant savings.

“We’re proud to be making regional fares fair, making public transport accessible to passengers who live in every corner of our state and opening up regional Victoria to more visitors,” Mr Andrews said.

The cap will extend to communities within 60 kilometres of the border to allow those living in these areas to benefit also.

Member for Bendigo East and Deputy-Premier Jacinta Allan welcomed the announcement.

“Cheaper fares, comfortable trains and more frequent services: that’s what matters to commuters across regional Victoria and that is what we are delivering,” she said.

The cap will come into effect on Friday, 31 March.