The Allan Labor Government has announced a major initiative to ease cost-of-living pressures on families by offering free public transport to all children under 18 across Victoria, every day of the year.

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Starting 1 January 2026, the new youth myki will provide free travel on trains, trams, buses, and coach services statewide—including metro, regional, and rural areas. The move is set to benefit over one million young Victorians and provide significant financial relief to families.

Big Savings for Families

Currently, a yearly student myki costs $755 per child. A family with three school-aged children can spend over $2,200 a year on student transport. The new youth myki will eliminate those costs entirely.

Even students who travel using daily fares can pay over $1,100 annually, but from 2026, all eligible children will travel for free.

How the Youth Myki Works

  • The youth myki functions like a standard myki card.
  • Children will tap on at gates and on board as usual, but no fare will be deducted.
  • The card will remain valid until the child’s 18th birthday.

Children living in areas outside the myki network will also be eligible for free travel across regional bus and coach services.

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Broader Transport Upgrades

This major fare relief comes alongside other recent investments, including:

  • Regional fare cap savings exceeding $132 million in the past two years
  • Five new underground Metro Tunnel stations opening in 2026
  • A public transport service blitz with increased frequency on multiple lines including Sunbury, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Werribee, Sandringham, Upfield and Craigieburn

Government Statement

Premier Jacinta Allan said:

“Free public transport for every child, every day, everywhere.”

The initiative is part of the Government’s broader strategy to reduce the cost of living and expand access to essential services across Victoria.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For official information, visit the Public Transport Victoria or Victorian Government websites.

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