V/LINE fares will rose almost a dollar from the start of July in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) raising the Myki fare cap.
From July 1, a daily fare ticket to Melbourne now cost $10 and $5 for concessions, while the single fare went from $4.60 to $5.
Weekend fares also increase from $6.70 to $7.20, and a single ticket from $3.35 to $3.60.
The rise comes three months after the State Government delivered on an election promise to bring V/Line fares down to $9.20 for a one way ticket to match metropolitan fares.
Minister for Transport, Lily D’Ambrosio, said it is normal policy to increase fares by CPI on January 1, however the increase was delayed this year to ease cost of living pressures and allow cheaper regional public transport fares to be introduced as quickly as possible.
“Travelling from Albury Wodonga to Melbourne saves you about $40 on a single one way trip with a return fare saving you $80,” she said.
“The public transport system needs to be supported as it always is to be able to continue to deliver the services Victorians enjoy today.
“The regional fares remain capped at the metropolitan fares and to the future Victorians will be travelling and saving significant dollars on regional transportation and public transport.
“Regional cities are enjoying significant savings on travel, the evidence is there… we’ve seen an increase in the number of people travelling in regional Victoria and that’s the way we want it to work.”
A State Government spokesperson said annual fare rises are necessary to continue to support and improve the public transport network for all Victorians, as fares cover only around one third of the operating cost of Victoria’s public transport system.
