Australia is known as the country with the third most expensive public transportation in the world, following Switzerland and the Netherlands. Previous reports recorded that in the first quarter of last year, commuters spent an average of $39.35 to $59.67 per week for public transport alone.
This is why any way to slash commute costs can be a huge relief for the average Australian.
Aiming to help commuters save thousands of dollars each year, the Greens has unveiled a major election pitch–a call to implement a nationwide public transport fare of just 50 cents.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to adopt this radical change, which he believes could put up to $2,400 back into the pockets of the average Australian annually.
The inspiration for this proposal comes from a successful initiative by the former Queensland Labor state government in 2024, which saw a significant reduction in traffic and emissions, alongside a surge in public transport usage.
The Greens are not shy about their intentions to make 50c fares a cornerstone of their federal campaign, even though public transport typically falls under state jurisdiction. They argue that their influence on policy could grow, especially with the possibility of a minority government on the horizon.
Bandt is set to officially launch the party’s election pitch, arguing that if Queensland could benefit from such a policy, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be extended to the rest of the country.
‘In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics. 50c fares will help people make ends meet,’ he stated, emphasising the significance of this election for future generations.
The Greens have examined and analysed the numbers, estimating that a full-time worker in Melbourne could save approximately $2,400 per year, while their Sydney counterparts could see annual savings of $2,160.
Commuters in Perth and Adelaide could also see substantial financial benefits, with savings of $2,006 and $1,872 per year, respectively.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown, the Greens’ spokeswoman for transport, has echoed Bandt’s sentiments, urging the Prime Minister to consider the positive impact of the 50c fare policy.
She highlighted the ‘huge success’ of the initiative in Queensland, which not only made public transport more affordable but also ‘reduced traffic and emissions’ and ‘saved Queensland millions.’
Aside from proposing a more affordable public transport, the Greens also proposed a $10 billion plan to alleviate the costs of public schooling, offering households $800 per child at the start of the school year to cover expenses such as stationery, textbooks, and school fees.
Additionally, they are advocating for the expansion of free dental services under Medicare and the introduction of a progressive tax system targeting large corporations and mining companies to fund these cost-of-living initiatives.
This announcement comes at a critical time, coinciding with the upcoming by-election in the Victorian state seat of Prahran, triggered by the resignation of former Greens deputy leader Sam Hibbins.
We at YourLifeChoices are curious to hear your thoughts on this proposal. Could a 50c public transport fare change the way you commute? Would it influence your vote in the upcoming election? Share your opinions with us and join the conversation about the future of affordable transportation in the country.
Also read: This proposed Fair Fuel Plan could save you money on petrol every day
Bloody Greens wanting to out us further into debt we cannot consider ourselves as wealthy until we clear our huge overdraft
The 50 cent fares have been locked in for Queensland by both Labor and the LNP.
So I can’t see why the others states can not introduce them too.
The Greens are proposing to extend what Liberal and Labor are already doing in one state.
I also agree with the Greens that dental should be covered by Medicare.
I disagree with the school cash handout because that could be spent on anything. Better to supply some extra money to schools who could issue text books and other course materials directly to students.
In your dreams Bandt – the destroyer, useless bloody Greens, would not have a clue – they have helped destroy a once magnificent country – well citizens of Australia, retribution is at hand – DO NOT VOTE GREENS – think of our country – DO NOT vote for the destroyers, whatever they want reduced in price will be picked up elsewhere, so, Bandt and your disturbing mob – BUGGER OFF and take Albanese with you.
Here in NSW, if you’re a concession card or Senior Card holder, you can get $2.50 per day travel thru the Gold Senior/concession Opal Card on Sydney’s public transport, be it train, bus, or ferry in the area bound by Bathurst (west), Goulburn (south west), Bomaderry (south), and Scone/Dungog (north). If you commence your return journey by 4am the next day, it’s still only $2.50.
It’s also up to each state government how much they charge for fares, and not the federal government. Good on Qld for their initiative.
Where does the federal government think the cost of the trains comes from? The fares, of course, so if you want 3rd rate public transport, then a vote for them would be good, but not if you want 1st rate transport. NSW has spent many millions of dollars just to get the new public transport which is coming in. Do we want to have this all scrapped? Certainly not!
Travel by bus or train to work each day so as to save $2,400 a year and get to play all of those wonderful games on ya phone and not getting pinged by those bloody spy cameras. Sounds like a bonza deal, so count me in. Hang-on a minute, why didn’t they do this years ago, so now I would have had enough for a deposit on a house?
Queensland only got the “permanent” 50cent fares because it was a Labor promise that locked in the LNP. It was originally to only be for six months and be funded by the super royalties paid by the coal exports while the market is good.
When the LNP decided to meet the ALP promise, suddenly it had to go beyond the sugar hit of six months.
The Greens keep thinking that all the large corporations are money trees always producing massive profits. If the corporations are hit with increased taxes based on profits, many companies will look at ways to minimise those profits, or if possible increase costs to their customers. No one wins that competition.
As far as the author of this article asking if it will have any effect on the readers, consider our demograph, we are post retirement and very few would commute anywhere so it would be a very nominal saving to us.
Has it had a beneficial effect upon Queenslanders? Seeing as it only applies, in real terms, in the densely populated SE corner, geographically there are many areas where it has no effect what so ever.
This is a Greens sleight of hand that would only appeal to the inner city electorates that the Greens are more likely to get more than their typical 15% support.
I agree though that dental needs to be included in Medicare as even though many dental problems are more diet and lifestyle than straight age related and hence possibly avoided.
Curiously, prior to Wayne Swans period as Treasurer, any dental expense over $1,000 per year could be claimed back in our tax returns. Then it was raised to $2,000 (also under an ALP Government) and now not there at all.