The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most - real help for regional Victorian families to ease the cost-of-living.
The Victorian Budget 2025/26 will make public transport free for everyone under 18, everywhere in Victoria.
We've been putting money back into the pockets of Victorians with our regional fare cap, which has already saved Victorians more than $132 million in its first two years.
Now we're going further. Families right across Victoria doing it tough - every dollar counts.
From 1 January 2026, hundreds of thousands of families will save up to $755 a year per child. It's a massive investment to put money back in the pocket of families who are doing it tough.
A yearly student pass currently costs $755, but from next year children aged under 18 can travel for free. For a family with three children under 18, that's a saving of $2,265 each year.
Two years ago, it would cost kids $15.96 to travel a return trip from Ballarat to the MCG - from next year it will be free.
A return trip from Bendigo to Melbourne would cost kids $24.08 - from next year it will be free.
More than one million young Victorians and their families can benefit from the new youth myki from 1 January 2026. Cards will cost $5 and will be valid until the child turns 18.
The cards can be used like any other myki to tap on and travel through ticket gates at stations and when getting on a bus or tram. Children living in non-myki areas will be eligible for the same free travel.
In every corner of the state, our Big Build investments are continuing to deliver crucial road and public transport connections - including upgrading every regional rail line to deliver more frequent and reliable services.
Earlier this week, the Labor Government announced funding to boost capacity and deliver additional services to the Gippsland, Bendigo and Seymour lines - building on more than 2,100 weekly services across the regional and metropolitan network since 2015.
As stated by Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams
"This will save so many struggling families thousands of dollars a year."
"Labor will cut public transport prices. Liberals will cut public transport projects."
As stated by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison
"Free public transport for Ballarat students is great news for local families. Not only a saving for school days but weekends and school holiday trips to Melbourne and across regional Victoria."
As stated by Member for Eureka Michaela Settle
"We're making it more affordable to get around for families doing it tough."
