Greens Push 50-Cent Fares, Save $50 Weekly   
Mirage News Dec 6 2024.
Australian Greens
The Greens have announced a new policy to shift to 50 cent fares for all public transport across Victoria as part of their plan for Prahran, to tackle cost of living ahead of the upcoming by-election.

Under the Greens plan, there would be an initial six month trial of 50 cent fares in Victoria, where all transport across metropolitan Melbourne and regional towns across the state will be only 50 cents as a combined cost of living and climate change measure.

50 cent fares will provide immediate cost-of-living relief by saving people $50 a week, as well as cutting climate pollution.

The estimated cost of the six month trial is $339 million, which the Greens propose can be funded by an increase to the existing online gambling levy and the introduction of a bank levy. A reduction in fare evasion and increased patronage will also reduce the cost of the policy.

The Greens say the policy is needed because people are struggling with the cost of living, and public transport fares are too expensive. The cost of this trial would be comparable to the Government's school saving bonus - demonstrating it is realistic and affordable.

Last year the Queensland government successfully implemented 50 cent fares after a strong campaign from the Greens. After running a hugely popular trial, the change has now become permanent with tripartisan support, and has saved Queenslanders more than $110 million.


Current patronage on Victorian public transport has still not returned to pre-COVID levels and the Greens say the success of 50c fares in Queensland shows why it's needed in Victoria.

The Greens will also be pushing for an acceleration of the integration of iPhone use to tap on and off and increased investment in public transport for more frequent services.

As stated by Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Sarah Mansfield:

"Under the Greens' plan, people would be able to get to work, the bush or the beach for 50 cents."   

"The Greens' plan would put $50 a week back into people's pockets."

"We know people are doing it really tough right now and getting around our city is too expensive."

"People in Prahran want bold, positive ideas that make their lives better - that's what the Greens plan for 50c public transport will do."

"In Queensland public transport fares cost only 50c - there's no reason we can't have the same here in Victoria."

As stated by Greens candidate for Prahran and environmental engineer, Angelica Di Camillo:

"People in Prahran love public transport but it's expensive, and in a cost of living crisis, cutting fares to 50 cents will make a massive difference for our community who rely on public transport everyday."

"We also need to bring public transport to the 21st century. It's 2025 and people should be able to tap onto public transport with their phone like you can in other cities across the world."

"If Queensland can have 50c public transport fares - why can't we?"

The neoliberals suggest any way to finance that?

might as well make it free.

like whiteknights call for bulk billing


"we want the train that does the free fare"

Carl D wrote on Jan 6^th, 2025 at 4:27pm:


catching public transport is the highlight of your life ?

whiteknight wrote on Jan 6^th, 2025 at 12:43pm:


The Greens have never got anything right. Ever.

50cent fares were introduced by the QLD Labor Govt on a 6 month trial in August 2024. A bit more pre-election pork barreling that didn't work.

This has to be funded from somewhere - & that somewhere is tax payers. Again.

Tell me WK do tax payers have to fund everything for the leaners & bludgers in this country?

When the rail & bus systems were Govt - state & local govt run public transport was always subsidized.

Labor Govts sold them & toll roads off to private companies and the prices went up rapidly.

Fare evasion was a serious matter back when prices were reasonable .... it's got worse since this privatisation to companies like TransLink.

Do you think this 50c fare malarky will get serial fare evaders to pay their 50 cents?

I bet it won't. And not only are tax payers subsidizing Govt public transport but the private companies like TransLink & MelWays etc. as well.

Edit: And with the likes of Greens Senators like Mureen Faruqi & former Green Lydia Thorpe (Australia haters & terrorist supporters) your choice of who you would vote for is suspect tantamount to delusional.

Carl D wrote on Jan 6^th, 2025 at 7:49pm:


That’s huge and I hope you are travelling well now.

In some places, public transport lives up to its name and for a $2 gold coin you can travel all day.

It must annoy the big road construction companies as that billion dollar 4 lane freeway doesn’t need to be built. But taking there profits out many times more people enjoy visiting a rarely untouched paradise.

Not everyone wants to end up like the hell hole ball is now.

You can move people cheaply on public transport or pay billions to companies to build tollways?

Our politicians are worse than useless