Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) has welcomed a recent announcement by the Victorian government to make public transport free for older Victorians during weekends.
Announced last week, the Victorian government has pledged to make all weekend public transport free for older people from 1 January 2026. This will replace a current scheme in which valid Seniors Card holders can travel between two neighbouring zones at no cost.
“We welcome this initiative, and hope it to be the first of many that directly address the very urgent need for cost-of-living reductions for older Victorians,” said CEO of COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria Ben Rogers.
“The expansion of free public transport will save those who travel up to $360 per year,” Mr Rogers continued.
“While this will help to ease pressures being faced by one of our state’s most vulnerable cohorts, far more needs to be done.”
It’s important for older Victorians to remember that they’ll need to hold a valid Seniors Card and continue touching on and off as normal using their Senior Myki when the free weekend public transport initiative commences.
Access to affordable transport is not just a convenience, it’s essential for social inclusion, independence, and overall wellbeing in later life. Without targeted support, many older people risk becoming isolated.
“We’re hearing from older Victorians that public transport costs can be a barrier to staying properly connected with their communities,” said Mr Rogers.
“As people age, that connection becomes even more important. The rising cost of living is making it harder.
“Older Victorians have made their thoughts clear on social connectivity as part of a survey we’ve recently distributed,” he said, “and will have another opportunity to directly speak their mind at an in-person forum that we’ll hold later in June.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to better represent and inform older Victorians, we’ll be analysing tomorrow’s budget documents as soon as they’re available,” Mr Rogers said.
“We’re hopeful to see initiatives that will directly support older people across the state, on challenges from transport and housing, to health and digital access.”
