Under 18s will be able to travel on public transport in Victoria for free from next year.
The new youth Myki card will allow young people to travel statewide on trains, trams, buses and coach services. Those living in non-Myki areas will also be eligible for free travel.
At a press event at the weekend, Premier Jacinta Allan said the initiative was a “great equaliser” that would make public transport “free for every child, everywhere across Victoria, every single day”.
Aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures, the policy – which will cost $318m over four years – will benefit more than one million children and, according to the government, will save families thousands of dollars a year.
“Cheaper school runs, cheaper weekends at the footy – and one less thing for families to worry about,” said Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams.
The government’s 2025-26 Budget – which will be presented to parliament on Tuesday – also allows for free weekend travel for seniors.
Currently, seniors are granted free travel on weekends in neighbouring zones. From 1 January 2026, the scheme will be expanded allowing seniors to use public transport for free anywhere in the state.
“Costs can add up – especially for seniors – and I’m on their side,” said Allan. “That’s why we’re making public transport free on weekends for seniors, saving them more than $360 every year.”
It’s hoped the scheme will boost tourism across regional Victoria and encourage more people to explore the state.
To be eligible for a Seniors Myki card passengers must have a Victorian Seniors Card. Victorian Seniors Card holders must be permanent residents of Victoria, aged 60 or over and work less than 35 hours a week.
Passengers will need to carry their Seniors Card while travelling and use their Seniors Myki to touch on and off – but Myki cards won’t be charged. Senior cardholders will continue to be eligible for a 50 per cent discount on fares on weekdays.
It’s anticipated the scheme will lead to increased usage of public transport as has happened in Queensland, which in February – following a successful six-month trial – introduced 50-cent fares across the state’s entire public transport network.
During the trial – which ran from 5 August 2024 – more than 93.3 million trips were taken, with commuters saving more than $181 million, according to government stats.
Patronage across all modes of transport for the period was 18.3 per cent higher than the same period in 2023. Public transport usage in regional Queensland grew by an average of 20 per cent from the previous year across the 16 regional urban bus networks.
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