A bold new plan to make public transport free in Victoria has been launched amid concern about the rising cost of living.
Petrol prices have soared in recent weeks placing unprecedented pressure on families, with the cost rising to $2.20 per litre as a direct result of the war in Ukraine.
But a unique new plan being put forward by the Victorian Greens is offering a solution: asking the government to temporarily make public transport free.
“Petrol prices are sky-high right now and Victorians across the state are struggling with the cost-of-living,” Victorian Greens MP Sam Hibbins said
“The government must act now to reduce cost-of-living pressures and seize the opportunity to support a shift out of expensive, polluting petrol vehicles to cheaper, cleaner transport.”
The move would potentially see public transport commuters in Melbourne’s Zone 1 and 2 areas save up to $171 per person each month, as well as reduce carbon emissions.
The Greens also want to see the government introduce a $5000 clean transport credit for people who scrap their old and polluting petrol cars.
The minor party claims that could be used for public transport or to subsidise the cost of buying an electric vehicle or e-bike.
Mr Hibbins said free public transport would relieve families, young people and renters who were struggling to make ends meet.
He estimated it would cost the government around $75 million a month.
“An incentive for Victorians to ditch their petrol-guzzling cars in favour of more sustainable forms of transport will accelerate the shift toward cheaper, cleaner transport,” he said.
“Without action Victorians are facing a climate, cost-of-living and congestion crisis.”
But the idea was already shot down by the Public Transport Users Association, with a spokesperson claiming it would not help residents living in areas where there were little public transport options.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday also pushed back against the proposal.
Mr Andrews called for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to use next week’s federal budget to address the cost of living.
“I’m not going to stand and pretend to any of you, let alone to Victorians, that I can magically reduce the price of petrol, I cannot do that,” Mr Andrews told reporters.
New Zealand has halved the cost of travelling on public transport in response to rising petrol prices, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not ruled out reducing the excise in the budget.
