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Labor says the initiatives \u2013 intended to deliver hip-pocket relief and reduce fuel demand during the oil crisis \u2013 will cost about $400 million, with discounted travel to end a month after the November state election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myki fares are capped at $11.40 a day, meaning a full-fare, five-day-a-week commuter would save up to $250 a month during April and May, and more than $850 due to half-priced fares from June to December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the Victorian Greens say myki gates should be left open permanently and will campaign for free public transport alongside more frequent services in the lead-up to the November election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Costings by the Parliamentary Budget Office requested by the Greens found that free public transport would cost $940 million next financial year and $1 billion in 2027\/28, based on government projections of fare revenue growth. Free travel would set the budget back $12.5 billion over the next decade, the office found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIf you consider the cost of this initiative and return the system to public ownership and operation this would reduce even further. Take that amount and overlay this with reduced cr use, environmental wins and productivity gains and you have a major winner!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Victorian Greens transport spokesperson Katherine Copsey said Labor should not roll back a smart cost-of-living policy when fuel prices remained high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile Labor dangles short-term discounts timed to the election, the Greens want real, lasting solutions to make life easier and more affordable for people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is about choices. We could fund 25 years of free public transport for the cost of a single private toll road project like the North East Link<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe North East Link<\/a> is a bigger disaster than the already failed West Gate Tunnel. Look at the delight and success of the Metro Tunnel project and it is easy to see what value can be gained by larger public transport investments. The North East Link has no viable business case and is simply a boondoggle for the CFMEU. It does not delivery anything useful at $40B investment and should never have been attempted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The state should immediately look at investments in Electrification to Ballarat and Geelong and between Geelong and Ballarat. Add to this the extension of Werribee services to Wyndhamvale and you have a better system. Electrification of mainline services should be priority as should the removal of old Vlocity Trains on longer routes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
But RMIT Professor of Urban Policy Jago Dodson said he was generally against free public transport because the benefits flowed towards people in areas with high-quality public transport access \u2013 which also tended to be wealthier, inner-city areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThis is not a valid reason not to do it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Lower-income families in areas with poor network access were less likely to benefit, he said, while the loss of fare revenue could actually jeopardise the service improvements they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you take a billion a year out of the state government budget it\u2019s got to be made up somewhere,\u201d Dodson said. \u201cMy policy preference in general is to retain fares for public transport and to, in part, use that money to expand public transport in areas that are poorly serviced.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodson did say, however, that free fares could become more justifiable if paired with a commitment to cease highway expansions and use charges on motorists, like congestion charges, to fund public transport improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public transport is already heavily subsidised in Victoria. The state government paid private transport operators $3.3 billion last financial year, while passengers paid $736 million in fares, which was distributed roughly 50\/50 between the operators and government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nYet another reason why the network should be returned to public management saving $billions per annum. Step up Victoria and get this network back into Public Management.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
\nThe Greens are urging the government to duplicate the Upfield line.CHRIS HOPKINS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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