Victorians will pay more to use public transport from the new year, after the state government quietly rolled out another round of fare increases across the Myki network.
From January 1, the full-fare daily Myki cap will rise from $11 to $11.40, with concession fares increasing to $5.70. The change effectively adds 40 cents per day for regular commuters, translating to an annual increase of up to $104 for those travelling five days a week.
The cost of a single full-fare trip will also increase to $5.70, while concession passengers will pay $3.60. Weekend fares are set to rise as well, with the daily cap increasing to $8 for full fares and $4 for concessions.
Public Transport Victoria (PTV) confirmed the price rises on Friday, describing them as modest and necessary to support the ongoing operation of Victoria’s train, tram and bus network.
“Fares are reviewed each year and adjusted as needed, with changes applied statewide to ensure equity for all Victorians,” a PTV spokesperson said.
The fare hike continues a trend of incremental increases over recent years. In 2023, the daily fare cap reached $10 following an 80-cent rise, with further adjustments since pushing costs steadily higher for commuters already grappling with cost-of-living pressures.
The announcement comes alongside a temporary cost relief measure, with public transport set to be free on weekends for two months over summer to celebrate the opening of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel. From now until February 1, commuters will be able to travel on trains, trams and buses every Saturday and Sunday without tapping on or off their Myki cards.
While the free weekend travel has been welcomed by some, weekday commuters say the latest fare increase will add further strain to household budgets, particularly for workers who rely on public transport daily.
