Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the changes simplified the existing ticketing structure to deliver benefits to Melburnians and tourists who use public transport.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to improve access to public transport and this decision to simplify the ticketing system is one way of making choosing the right type of ticket easier,” Ms Kosky said.

“As a result of these changes, there are some great savings and travel benefits in store for customers.”

Next year, a 5 per cent discount will be periodically available for people who purchase their Metcards online via the Metlink website.

A 10x2 hour ticket can save customers up for 40 per cent compared with purchasing individual tickets.

Passengers who used local buses in more than 30 regional cities will also have cheaper fares when monthly bus tickets are introduced as it will provide them with unlimited travel on their regional bus network.

Ms Kosky said students would also be winners with changes to the Victorian Student Pass as it will allow them to travel on the metropolitan and regional public transport networks,

“With the raising of the child concession age by two years from next year, young people will no longer need a concession card to purchase a concession ticket until they turn 17 years old, providing further time-saving benefits for students and cutting down on administration work for schools,” Ms Kosky said,

“The introduction of the Victorian Student Pass and monthly tickets in regional cities will ensure that customers in regional areas have the same travel benefits as metropolitan Melbourne – and the online purchase discounts are good news for people across the state.”

Ms Kosky said further savings would be provided with four weekends of free bus travel in Zone 2 during 2009, and new bulk ticket purchase options for seniors.

“Buses are making a real difference to public transport accessibility in Melbourne’s outer suburbs and this free bus travel initiative is another way of encouraging even greater uptake of buses by Zone 2 travellers,” Ms Kosky said.

”There are also great time savings for seniors, with the 5xSeniors Daily now available from Metcard retail outlets and from the Metlink website. From 1 January, the ticket will also be available on buses and from station ticket machines.

“The price of the Seniors Daily ticket will be frozen at $3.30 per day until 2010, but from 1 January customers will need to purchase this ticket as part of the 5xSeniors Daily. Seniors who wish to continue to purchase individual tickets can purchase concession tickets and travel at the same price as children, Health Care Card holders and Disability Pensioners.

“I am also pleased to announce a free travel package for homeless youth from next year. This will provide Metcards to a number of organisations to enable homeless youth to better access essential services.” 

Some tickets previously available will be phased out after 1 January 2009, while periodical tickets such as weekly, monthly and yearly Metcards will only be valid for weekend travel in the zone for which they have been purchased.

“Travel patterns have changed along with travel needs, and as such some less popular tickets such as the individual City Saver and Group Traveller passes will be phased out,” Ms Kosky said

“The majority of individual City Saver tickets are purchased by adults during the AM and PM peak. People who switch to the City Saverx10 will save a minimum of 20 per cent compared to purchasing individual tickets, which is great news.”

The introduction of the 5xWeekend Daily ticket and the removal of Zone 3 has significantly reduced demand for the Group Traveller ticket.

Some ticketing options will no longer be available at retail outlets and online from 2009. For more information on the ticketing changes, contact Metlink on 131 638 or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au