The Victorian state government will make public transport free for the next month.
Passengers will not have to touch-on their myki travel card and all public transport gates will be open from March 31.
Trains, trams and buses are expected to get busier but the government says thousands of extra services have been added to the network to meet demand.
“This is a temporary measure to help with the cost of living; it will take pressure off the pump and help you save,” Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“This won’t solve every problem but it’s an immediate step to help Victorians right now while we keep working on new solutions to make Victoria more affordable.”
The move comes as fuel prices skyrocket toward $3 per litre amid the war in the Middle East, and critical oil shipments are held up in the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia currently has 39 days of petrol, 30 days of diesel and 30 days of jet fuel in stocks.
More than 100 petrol stations across Victoria have already run out of fuel, with hundreds more affected across the country.
The Victorian government has not ruled out extending free public transport beyond April, saying they will monitor the situation and the ongoing impact of the war.
Emergency laws will also be introduced to federal parliament on Monday which would allow the government to underwrite fuel suppliers.
The government will not pay for the fuel but rather use public funds as insurance for companies having to buy supplies.
Tasmania makes public transport free for three months
Tasmania has followed suit, with the state’s government announcing free public transport for three months beginning March 30.
“From tomorrow, Tasmanian public transport will be free. We’ll be keeping it free until July 1,” Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said on Sunday.
– AAP
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Victoria announces free public transport for the month of April as petrol prices approach $3 per litre and over 100 petrol stations across the state run out of fuel.
Victoria announces free public transport for the month of April as petrol prices approach $3 per litre and over 100 petrol stations across the state run out of fuel.