- Published:
- Monday 24 November 2025 at 11:37 am
The Allan Labor Government is delivering free weekend public transport – everywhere – for carers and Disability Support Pensioners, and we’ve built the Metro Tunnel so it’s easier to visit our hospitals.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today joined carers and nurses to celebrate free public transport for carers and disability pensioners – also marking the opening of the new Parkville Station pedestrian underpass.
Free public transport will be available every weekend for every Victorian, everywhere, from the opening of the Metro Tunnel this Sunday until Sunday 1 February 2026, when the new stations will be fully integrated into the wider network.
Now, after 1 February, close to 300,000 carers and disability support pensioners who use public transport will be able to catch a train, tram or bus anywhere across the state for free on weekends – saving carers who travel more than $360 per year.
Currently carers enjoy free travel on weekends in any two neighbouring zones, allowing for short trips. This expansion will extend free travel to carers anywhere across the state on weekends – from Wodonga or Warrnambool to Parkville and everywhere in between.
Carer Card Holders and those on a Disability Support Pension will be able to use their myki to touch on and off as usual – but their cards won’t be charged. They will need to carry proof of their concession when they travel.
This is another way the Labor Government is making public transport more affordable for Victorians – from next year kids will be able to travel for free every single day and seniors will be able to travel for free on weekends. Victorians have also saved more than $168 million through our regional fare cap.
Parkville is one of Melbourne’s busiest precincts – home to more than 73,000 workers and 55,000 students. The new fully accessible underpass, 25 metres underground, will provide an easier way to move through the precinct.
The underpass links the entrances of The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne. The underpass sits outside the ticket gates and is open to everyone, no myki required.
The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Victoria’s rail network in 40 years. When it opens on Sunday, it will double the size of Melbourne’s underground rail system, deliver hundreds of new services each week, and pave the way for more trains, more often – right across the network.
Never forget, the Liberals called the Metro Tunnel a “hoax”. The Victorian Liberals said it would divide the city, while the Federal Liberals refused to fund it. Labor will open it this Sunday.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
“Labor builds Victoria up – connecting people to jobs, uni and healthcare with the Metro Tunnel. Liberals cut Victoria down – they called the Metro Tunnel a hoax and cut it when they were in office.”
“With free PT for carers and seniors on weekends, free PT every day for kids, and our regional fare cap – it’s never been cheaper and easier to get around Victoria.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
“This new underpass is another milestone for the Metro Tunnel and now we’re just days until trains start running through our five brand-new underground stations – changing the way Victorians move around our city forever.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence
“Carers give so much of themselves every day, this is one way we can give back. From next year, carers will be able to tap on and off on weekends at no cost.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
“Thousands of nurses, doctors and hospital staff travel to Parkville every day. This underpass, as well as the brand new Parkville Station opening this Sunday, will make their commute faster, safer and more reliable.”