School children will be able to enjoy free travel on public transport under a Labor Government that is focused on putting the family budget first.
Official department forecasts obtained under freedom of information laws reveal that the Berejiklian Government is set to charge children $44 million in transport fares in 2019-20.
Labor’s Fair Fares policy will forego this revenue to abolish all charges for children under 16 years of age or while they remain at school.
Labor recognises that the cost of public transport for children is putting increased pressure on families who are already struggling with higher power bills, tolls and a host of state taxes under the Berejiklian-Barilaro Coalition Government.
Under the current rules primary school-aged children are eligible for free travel only when travelling to and from school, and if their home is more than 2.3 kilometres away by walking, rising to 2.9 kilometres for secondary school-aged children.
Labor’s Fair Fares policy recognises these restrictive and arbitrary conditions make it harder for families, or those participating in after school or weekend sport.
Free bus and train travel will also encourage children to use public transport more and ease congestion on Sydney’s already clogged roads.
The free travel for school children initiative is in addition to Labor’s commitment to refund train fares for passengers for avoidable delays to their journey, and lowering the station access fee for the airport to $5.
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