Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Wednesday, 1 December 2004

VICTORIAN FAMILIES SAVE ON NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES

The Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, today announced new public transport fares for 2005, including a new Sunday Saver ticket providing unlimited travel for $2.50. Mr Batchelor said the new Sunday Saver ticket, to be introduced next April, would significantly cut the cost of travel for Victorian families.

"The Sunday Saver ticket can be used for unlimited travel in metropolitan Melbourne all day, across zones one, two and three on trains, trams and buses. "Currently, a family of four travelling from Frankston to the Melbourne Zoo pay $35.40. From next April, the cost for the entire family will be $10 - a saving of more than $25. "As part of the Metropolitan Transport Plan, we are committed to increasing patronage on public transport, and the new Sunday Saver ticket will provide an incentive for more people to use the system." In keeping with other fees and charges, from 1 January 2005, public transport fares will increase by 2.25 per cent. The cost of 2005 fares will vary, with some tickets increasing slightly, other tickets falling in cost and others remaining the same price. "All 2 hour and daily tickets will either stay the same or increase by ten cents," Mr Batchelor said.

"The cost of all 10 x 2 hour and 5 x daily tickets will fall by up to 7.7 per cent, encouraging regular public transport users to pre-purchase tickets, thereby reducing queues at stations, on trams and at bus stops. "For example, public transport users who purchase a 5 x daily ticket for all three zones in 2005 will pay $54, $4.50 less than the current 2004 price."

Other ticket prices will change accordingly:

• 2 hour zone 1 ticket (adult or concession) will only increase by ten cents.
• All daily tickets will increase by a maximum of ten cents, with many categories remaining the same price in 2005.
• City Saver, City Saver Ten and Off-Peak Daily tickets will be the same price in 2005.
• Monthly tickets will increase in line with CPI.
• Weekly tickets will be aligned with the 10 x 2 hour and 5 x daily price so that customers can select the best ticket for their travel pattern, rather than having to compare prices.
• The 60 Plus ticket will increase by ten cents to $2.90 and will be renamed the 'Seniors Daily', as only Seniors Card holders are eligible for this category. The Seniors Daily ticket will continue to provide unlimited travel in all three zones for less than $3 per day.

"Public transport fares are subject to CPI increases every year. Not only are the increases next year being kept to a minimum, the Government is also able to provide improvements for public transport users," Mr Batchelor said. He also announced that as with previous years, temporary summer holiday timetables would come into place on 29 December.

"Demand for public transport drops by about 30 per cent during the summer holiday period," he said. "97 per cent of train services will continue to operate during this time, with normal train services to recommence on 22 January." Summer bus services will also operate between 29 December and 22 January. Summer tram timetables will operate between 29 December and 9 January. "Connex services will run a slightly reduced service level until 22 January to help continued efforts to minimise the impact of the current train driver shortage. This period will also allow the train fleet to receive regular maintenance," Mr Batchelor said.

"Passengers should check with Metlink for more detailed service information at http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au or by contacting Metlink on 131-638