Victoria’s peak body for social services has welcomed the Victorian Government’s pre-budget announcement of free public transport for all children across the state, following its free weekend travel for seniors commitment.
Free public transport is a powerful enabler of educational and wellbeing outcomes for school-age children. It has been the focus of sustained advocacy by the community sector over the past decade. WEstjustice, in particular, has piloted and proven the value of public transport in improving the lives of children and families.
The impact of free public transport for children and families includes cost-of-living, education, child wellbeing and child safety benefits. Research and advocacy by the community sector has shown:
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The cost of public transport is a contributing factor in school attendance, punctuality and engagement with the education system.
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The cost of public transport leads to fare evasion to save money, which places children under stress and at risk of fines that further exacerbates family financial stress.
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Access to travel will enable children to access the services they need to be supported and safe, including family violence, homelessness, mental health and community legal support.
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Access to travel will remove a barrier to social wellbeing, provide access to work and sporting opportunities, and reduce social isolation for young people.
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More public transport use means fewer cars on the road, helping reduce climate pollution and reach Victoria’s climate commitments.
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Families will have more money in their household budgets, relieving some cost-of-living pressure.
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The reduced administrative costs to the public transport system will make it more efficient and easier to operate.
Victorian Council of Social Service CEO, Juanita Pope, welcomed the announcement and thanked community sector advocates for fighting for this outcome over many years.
“Free public transport for Victorian kids is exactly the kind of smart investment we need right now. It relieves financial pressure from families while supporting school attendance and child wellbeing.”
“This change will increase school attendance and punctuality, reduce fines for school travel, and enable children to access the family violence, homelessness and mental health support they need to be safe.”
“Minister Williams has delivered a structural reform that will make Victoria a fairer state where access to public transport for children is universal rather than dependent on household income."
“Now we await the Victorian Budget tomorrow and the additional funding needed to bring Victoria up to the Gonski standard by 2028. These two reforms will work together to give school kids a better education.”
About us:
VCOSS is the peak body for Victoria’s social and community sector. We work towards a Victoria free from poverty and disadvantage, where every person and community experiences genuine wellbeing.
Contact details:
Daniel Scoullar, [email protected] / 0402 596 297
