V/Line commuters across Greater Geelong will have their train fares slashed by 50 per cent if Liberal wins the state election.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy announced that regional train fares will be cut by half for at least four years and said that cheaper transport costs are a key part of the Coalition’s long-term economic plan.
According to the Coalition under the plan, a daily commuter travelling from Geelong to Melbourne would save $1762 a year, Ballarat to Melbourne $2074 a year and Bendigo to Melbourne $2408 a year.
The Coalition will also impose $2 flat fares for local train, tram and bus travel, which it says will help ease road congestion and encourage more sustainable transport choices.
The plan includes buses servicing Greater Geelong.
“For regional Victorians, public transport costs can run into thousands a year. Our plan will cut this in half and allows households to put those savings into what really matters,” Mr Guy said.
Shadow Minister for Public Transport Danny O’Brien said halving V/Line fares was a solution to reward and support regional Victorian families.
“By halving V/Line fares, our plan will keep more money in regional Victorians’ pockets, while at the same time stimulating tourism in regional Victoria,” he said.
“We also know and share the frustration of regional Victorians who turn up expecting a train, only to be greeted all too frequently under Labor by a bus. When this occurs, we’ll make that travel free.”
