Universal Free Transit for Kids, Anytime, Anywhere
The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most – real help for families to ease the cost-of-living.
The Victorian Budget 2025/26 will make public transport free for everyone under 18, everywhere in Victoria.
From 1 January 2026, hundreds of thousands of families will save up to $755 a year per child. It’s a massive investment to put money back in the pocket of families who are doing it tough.
A yearly student pass currently costs $755. A family with three children using yearly student passes spends $2,265 a year. A student without a yearly pass – who buys a daily fare four times a week – spends $1,144 a year.
But thanks to this Budget, those children get to travel for free on a new youth myki.
The new youth myki can be used like any other myki, to tap on and travel through ticket gates at stations and when getting on a bus or tram. The card will stay valid until the child turns 18.
More than one million young Victorians and their families stand to benefit from the new youth myki when it rolls out from 1 January 2026.
Children living in non-myki areas will also be eligible for free travel. The free travel will be available on all forms of public transport including trams, trains, buses and coach services in metro, regional and rural areas.
This is yet another massive reduction in public transport fares to ease the cost of living for families and workers.
The Labor Government’s regional fare cap has already saved Victorians more than $132 million in its first two years. Now it’s time to go even further – because families right across Victoria are doing it tough, and every dollar counts.
The Government is also massively expanding the public transport system, for more services, more often.
When a student uses their youth myki from January for free travel, they’ll be able to tap on at one of five new underground stations on the new Metro Tunnel.
This week, the Government also announced a PT blitz to fund turn-up and go services on the Sunbury and Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, plus more services on the Werribee, Sandringham, Upfield and Craigieburn lines.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
“Free public transport for every child, every day, everywhere.”
“Families are doing it tough and I’m on their side.”
“Labor will cut public transport prices. Liberals will cut public transport projects.”
As stated by Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams
“This will save so many struggling families thousands of dollars a year.”
“Cheaper school runs, cheaper weekends at the footy – and one less thing for families to worry about.”
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
“Whether it’s travelling to the city, to regional Victoria or just around the corner to see family – we’re making it free for every child.”
As stated by Member for Preston Nathan Lambert
“The Allan Labor Government has upgraded the 86 tram line, electrified our Dysons and Ventura buses, and built brand new train stations at Bell, Preston and Keon Park. Now we’re helping Darebin families with cost-of-living by making our buses, trams and trains free for children.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/250518-Free-Public-Transport-For-Every-Child%2C-Every-Day%2C-Everywhere.pdf