The Victorian Budget 2025/26 will make public transport free on the weekend for Seniors Card holders, statewide.
It’s a change that means seniors can visit family, enjoy a day out with the grandkids, or experience all the state has to offer – without the extra expense.
From January 1, 2026, more than 650,000 seniors who use public transport will be able to catch a train, tram or bus for free on weekends – saving seniors who travel more than $360 per year.
Currently seniors enjoy free travel on weekends in any two neighbouring zones, allowing for short trips such as from Morwell to Traralgon, from Macedon to Woodend, or within metropolitan Melbourne.
But Victoria’s train network has 16 zones, so a senior from Ballarat can’t access free travel to see her grandkids in Ballan, or a grandmother from Melbourne can’t travel free to see regional galleries in Geelong or Bendigo.
The investment in this Budget will extend free travel to seniors anywhere across the state on weekends – from Wodonga to Warrnambool and everywhere in between.
Before the Labor Government introduced its regional fare cap in 2023, a daily concession fare from Bendigo to Melbourne cost $24.08, and a daily concession fare from Albury to Melbourne cost $41.20.
The regional fare cap slashed the cost of that fare significantly, and now from 2026, seniors on weekends will pay nothing at all.
Free travel for seniors on weekends is a huge boost for tourism across regional Victoria and will encourage more people to explore what this state has to offer.
Passengers with a senior myki will need to carry their Seniors Card while travelling and use their Senior Myki to touch on and off as usual – but myki cards won’t be charged.
Cardholders will continue to be eligible for a 50 per cent discount off the full fare on weekdays.
