The Victorian Liberal National Coalition today pledged to halve V/Line fares should they win the state election in November.
The promise comes two days after Opposition Leader Matthew Guy announced the Coalition would place a $2 cap on metropolitan public transport fares, which faced criticism for overlooking regional Victoria.
“To ease hip-pocket pressures and reward hard-working families across regional Victoria, a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals government will halve all V/Line fares for at least four years and ensure V/Line train replacement bus services are free of charge,” a Coalition media release said.
Mr Guy said public transport costs for regional Victorians was expensive, and the Coalition’s plan would “cut this in half and allows households to put those savings into what really matters”.
Under the plan, a peak hour V/Line fare from Kyneton to Southern Cross would be reduced from $18.40 to $9.20. From Woodend, the $13.80 fare would be reduced to $6.90.
Opposition Public Transport spokesman Danny O’Brien said halving V/Line fares would stimulate tourism in regional Victoria.
“Travel costs shouldn’t be a barrier to going about everyday life and under the Liberals and Nationals’ plan, regional Victorians will get the cheap, easy commute they deserve,” he said.
