Aussies in two states offered free public transport as price of fuel surges
Updated . First published
Victorians will be offered free public transport for one month while Tasmanians will travel for free until July, as the country is gripped by an escalating fuel crisis.
Trains, trams and buses will be free in Victoria from March 31 until the end of April, a temporary measure announced to help ease cost of living pain in the state.
"It will take pressure off the pump and help you save," Premier Jacinta Allan said.
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Trains, trams and buses will be free in Victoria from March 31 until the end of April. PENNY STEPHENS
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"This won't solve every problem but it's an immediate step to help Victorians right now while we keep working on new solutions to make Victoria more affordable."
Myki gates will be open on all metropolitan and V/Line public transport from Tuesday.
Passengers won't need to touch on or off to ride public transport during this time.
Anyone who accidentally taps on will not be charged.
The Tasmanian government has taken it one step further by offering residents free rides on buses and ferries until July.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government would waive the cost of fares for three months to address the suging price of fuel.
"We know the rising cost of fuel is impacting the family budget, and that's why we have again taken strong and decisive action to protect Tasmanians," Rockliff said.
The Tasmanian government has made public transport free until July. City of Hobart
State governments have been facing growing calls to offer subsidised or free trips to redirect to the flow of fuel to farmers and regional communities.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Brett Hosking previously urged the state government to make public transport free to encourage workers in Melbourne to stay off the roads and save the much-needed fuel for farmers.
State governments have been facing growing calls to offer subsidised or free trips on public transport. Paul Rovere
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"We don't have a public transport network, we're required to drive long distances, and we need liquid fuel to make that happen," Hosking said.
ACT Senator David Pocock joined the chorus and demanded free nationwide public transport to ease the fuel shortage.
The price of unleaded in Australia is nudging $2.60 per litre in some areas, while the average price of diesel is now well over $3 per litre.
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