Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Ministers statements: public transport fares

Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (12:11): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government’s regional fare cap is helping Victorian families. Public transport fares should not discriminate against regional Victorians or indeed those wanting to visit our regions, which is why we introduced the regional fare cap, meaning that no matter where you are – whether you are in metro or regional Victoria – you pay no more than $10.60 a day.

A few weeks ago I was in Geelong to celebrate one year of these fairer fares – one year in which we have returned over $50 million to the pockets of Victorians. Whether you are on the Ballarat line, the Gippsland line or the Geelong, Warrnambool, Shepparton or Albury lines, you will pay no more than $10.60. Of course the Premier knows that a return trip on the Bendigo line has dropped from $68.80 to how much? $10.60. We are putting more money back into the hands of Victorians every single day, boosting our regional economies and helping people stay connected with loved ones.

We can do this because, unlike those opposite, we invest in public transport. The Leader of the Nationals might well remember when his crew sold off V/Line. Not only that, they shut down train stations in Maryborough and Ararat, just to name a couple. In contrast, our record in public transport is all about investment, whether it is slashing fares or delivering 2000 extra train services per week, 20,000 extra bus services per week, brand new rolling stock and major station and train line upgrades. I could list many, many more. We are getting on with delivering the public transport network that Victorians need and deserve. That is why our government is proud to say a very big happy birthday to the regional fare cap – 22 million trips in its first year, and here is to 22 million more.