The recent capping of public transport fares has been celebrated by many in central Victoria, in particular individuals who regularly commute to Melbourne, but the new pricing structure has resulted in the eradication of the popular Family Saver Ticket, putting families travelling with young children at a disadvantage.
Castlemaine resident Nina Trikojus told the Express that as a mother of two young children, aged seven and three, the fee change had resulted in an increase in fees for her family.
“The family saver ticket has been taken away, so for someone with kids, the price has increased for short trips,” Nina said.
“With the new fare structure, it now costs me $9 for just two stops, whereas previously it was a maximum of $6 and this will increase to $13 when my youngest turns five.”
Nina said that as someone who home-schooled her children, it was important to be able to take them to Bendigo for educational outings and she regularly travelled to Woodend to visit family.
A V/Line spokesperson told the Express that the regional fare cap was proving popular with Castlemaine passengers.
“There have been more than 33,000 trips taken from Castlemaine Station in the first two months since the cap was introduced,” the spokesperson said.
“The cap is benefiting the overwhelming majority of Victorians, with passengers paying the same maximum daily fee no matter where they’re travelling.”
According to V/Line, the family traveller tickets (which permitted up to two children to travel for free with a full-fare paying adult) were made unavailable when the regional fare cap was introduced on March 31.
“I think it’s pretty unfair and a very Melbourne-centric viewpoint,” Nina said.
“What’s happened is great for some people, but we rarely go to Melbourne and as a country family, who prefer to stay in the country, it’s made me feel a little hard done by.
“I’ve always taken the train when I can because it’s better for the environment and (was) more financially viable, but the new fares are only favouring a portion of the population.”
