Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan has called on toll road operators to provide free travel across the state during the summer months, in a bid to complement the government’s free public transport initiative.
The announcement comes ahead of the long-awaited opening of Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel.
Allan announced that public transport, including trains, buses, and trams, will be free on weekends from early December until February 1. The Premier posted a letter on social media addressed to toll operators, urging them to extend similar courtesy to motorists using CityLink, EastLink, and the soon-to-open West Gate Tunnel. “Victoria would be thrilled if you offered some savings for them over the summer period… It’s a little way you can say thanks to every Victorian who has put up with short-term disruption and changes to their travel,” Allan wrote.
The Metro Tunnel, an eight-year project, faced multiple delays and cost overruns, including a temporary strike by CFMEU workers during a dispute with a South Australian developer. Allan confirmed that the issue has been resolved and that the project schedule remains unaffected.
Once operational, trains will run every 20 minutes between Westall and West Footscray from 10am to 3pm during weekdays in an initial “Summer Start” period. Weekend services will operate every 20 minutes from 10am to 7pm, extending to East Pakenham every 40 minutes and Sunbury every hour.
The Premier described the initiative as a way to thank Victorians for their patience during construction and short-term disruptions caused by the massive infrastructure project, which involved 7,000 workers.
