Victorian regional travellers could save up to $40 per trip as fare caps promised during the state election come into effect, but the opposition says the numbers don’t add up.
A cap on Regional V/Line train fares at the daily metropolitan rate of $9.20 for a full fare or $4.60 for concession holders on weekdays, and $6.70 and $3.35 on weekends and public holidays, came into effect on Friday.
The fare cap applies to all PTV regional buses, town buses, V/Line trains and coaches, and to interstate travel within 60km of the Victorian border.
Public transport minister Ben Carroll said the government was making public transport more affordable and accessible to passengers in every corner of the state.
“The regional fare cap will transform the way Victorians travel – and will also provide a huge benefit to regional tourism and businesses,” Mr Carroll said in a statement.
Opposition public transport spokesman Richard Riordan said Parliamentary Budget Office figures showed the project would cost $155 million more across four years than the $203 million flagged by the state government.
“Labor’s financial failure means it can’t afford to keep fares low in the long term,” he said.
“People from every corner of our state deserve cheaper fares and better services to get to important appointments, events or to see friends and family.”
Regional transport fares became a battleground at last year’s state election after the Liberal Nationals opposition promised a $2 cap on metro fares and a plan to halve the price of regional tickets.
The Victorian government responded with a plan to cap regional fares at daily metro rates, expand services across the network and order 23 VLocity trains to be manufactured in Dandenong.
Source: AAP