Tuesday, 17 June 2025

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:08): (1633) My constituency question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. My constituent is a resident of Clyde North. He works 30 hours per week as a bus driver. My constituent spends many hours and four car trips to get to and from work. Public transport would help him get to work quicker and stress free. Victorian bus drivers can apply for a free public transport travel pass; however, my constituent was dismayed to discover that he does not qualify because he is not considered a full-time employee. In 2023 New South Wales changed their laws to free travel on public transport to all bus drivers, supporting the industry and incentivising more drivers to get behind the wheel. So my constituent asks: will the minister take New South Wales’s lead and provide free travel passes to all bus drivers?