Joint media release – AFI and ACTCOSS welcome motion for free, accessible public transport in the ACT

Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI) and the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) welcome debate in the ACT Legislative Assembly today on free public transport.

An Assembly motion proposes to make public transport free 24/7 for students, seniors, and all concession-card holders — expanding on current concessions and the “Fare-Free Fridays” initiative.

“AFI and ACTCOSS have long advocated for free public transport for people who can benefit the most. It is fantastic to see the Assembly listening to community sentiment to make this a fairer community,” said AFI Head of Policy, Craig Wallace.

ACTCOSS CEO Dr Devin Bowles said: “Accessible and affordable public transport is critical to enabling social and economic participation for all Canberrans, particularly people with disability and those on low incomes. Reliable transport helps people get to work, education, healthcare and community services — yet cost remains a barrier for many.

“Focusing on priority groups is a positive step for increasing equity in the ACT,” said Dr Bowles.

“Free transport would be an excellent investment to increase the use of public transport. Given the context of significant road works over the coming year, moving more people via public transport is critical,” said Dr Bowles.

“We understand Government will need to undertake policy and process adjustments before the rubber hits the road on this measure. We stand ready to help,” concluded Dr Bowles.

“People with disability, people on low incomes, older people and those living in outer suburbs are more vulnerable to isolation if they cannot afford or access transport,” added AFI Head of Policy, Craig Wallace.

“Free transport would be potentially liberating for many people receiving the Disability Support Pension and looking for work.  Our White Paper on Income Support included a model Budget which shows that people with disability face a shortfall of around $824 per fortnight on conservative estimates after paying for the bare necessities of private rental housing, groceries, on demand transport, utilities and other expenses with little left over for emergencies” concluded Mr Wallace.

AFI and ACTCOSS also note the broader social and economic benefits of expanding free public transport — including fewer cars on the road, reduced congestion and emissions, and potential improvements in service frequency and accessibility as public transport use grows.

Both organisations have consistently called for the ACT Government to develop a business case assessing the costs and benefits of making public transport free.  Such a change would build on existing concessions for seniors and fare-fee trials recently undertaken as part of implementation of the Light Rail and MyWay+ ticketing systems. The ACT already provides free travel on Fare-Free Fridays, as well as permanent free travel for seniors aged 70+, and off-peak free travel for those aged 60–69.   AFI also calls for work on transport infrastructure and point-to point-transport including sustainable funding for community transport and attention to the quality and accessibility of taxi services and rideshare.

Contacts: Dr Devin Bowles 0413 435 080 and Craig Wallace 0477 200 755