The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has called on the NSW Labor government to follow Victoria and Tasmania and give commuters free — or at least significantly reduced cost — public transport.
RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes said on March 29 that as the global fuel crisis is hitting families and workers, Labor has a responsibility to ease cost-of-living pressures.
The Victorian Labor government said trains, trams and buses and regional trains, coaches and buses will be free from March 31 to April 30. The Tasmanian Liberal government introduced free buses and ferries throughout for three months from March 30 to June 30.
Warnes said Victoria and Tasmania are “leading the way” and the NSW government has “a responsibility to act”. Queensland has capped its fares at a 50 cent flat rate.
“Public transport fares are a lever the state government has complete control of. Getting people out of cars and onto public transport has obvious benefits across the board.
“It’s beyond belief that the NSW government still hasn’t announced free, or at least reduced, public transport fares for the people of NSW.”
Warnes said there needs to be more services to meet demand. “Drop fares, get more train, bus and light rail services up and running, and support the people of NSW to get through the current global fuel crisis.
“Investing in public transport is one of the fastest ways to deliver cost-of-living relief while supporting the broader economy.
“Public transport isn’t just infrastructure. It’s a form of direct economic support. It helps workers get to their jobs, keeps communities connected and reduces pressure on families already doing it tough.”
Andrew Chuter, an active transport campaigner and member Socialist Alliance, told Green Left that it makes sense for public transport to be frequent and free to help people through a time of cost-of-living pressure and the war-fuelled energy crisis.
“NSW should also end its privatisation of all sectors of the public transport system in NSW, including taking private bus, tram, ferry and Sydney Metro services back into public operation.
“It should also use this moment to expand public transport so that all communities have good access.”
The Australian Greens are calling for free public transport across all buses, trains and ferries, saying it would “take pressure off families [and] cut congestion”.
The NSW Greens said making public transport free will also save money by scrapping the “expensive ticketing system, reducing spending on roads and cutting costs associated with fare evasion like court costs”. The Greens said NSW Labor already subsidises roughly 80% of every buses, train and ferry trip.
[Sign the RTBU NSW petition calling on NSW Labor to reduce public transport fares.]