Victorians will enjoy free weekend public transport for two months starting in early December, as a gesture of thanks for enduring disruptions from the Metro Tunnel project. Premier Jacinta Allan announced the initiative on Wednesday, covering trains, trams, and buses across the state until 1 February.
Passengers will not need to tap on or off with their Myki card, and any taps will not incur charges. Some regional V/Line services will still require reservations, but at no cost. The move is expected to cost about $15 million in forgone revenue, which the transport department will absorb.
The Metro Tunnel, connecting Melbourne's west to the south-east via five new underground stations, will open in early December after approval from the national rail safety regulator. During the first two months, the tunnel will operate at reduced capacity outside peak times, with trains running every 20 minutes on weekdays between 10am and 3pm, and on weekends from 10am to 7pm.
From 1 February, the Cranbourne-Pakenham and Sunbury lines will shift exclusively through the Metro Tunnel, while the Frankston line moves into the City Loop. This 'big switch' will add 1,000 extra weekly services, with trains every 10 minutes from 6am to 10pm between Watergardens and Dandenong, increasing to every three to four minutes during peak periods.
Premier Allan described the free weekend transport as a way to encourage Victorians to try the new tunnel, acknowledging the disruption caused by the state's most complex infrastructure project. The initiative follows the government's May budget announcement that children under 18 will travel for free from 1 January next year.
