Bus fares are set to increase next year. File photo.
Catching the bus is going to cost Canberrans more in the new year as Transport Canberra increases its fares for public transport.
The new fares for public transport will come into effect on 5 January 2019, with MyWay and cash fares for public transport in the ACT to increase by up to 2.5 per cent. The concession single cash fare will also increase by 4.2 per cent and will rise from $2.40 to $2.50.
A single trip with free 90-minute transfer will now cost adults $5.00, up from $4.90, with a daily ticket $9.60, up from $9.40. Concession card holders and students will pay $2.50 and $4.80, up from $2.40 and $4.70 respectively.
MyWay adult cardholders will soon have to pay $3.22 for a peak single trip, up from $3.14, and $2.55 off-peak, up from $2.49, with a weekday cap of $9.60 and weekend/public holiday cap of $5.87.
For MyWay concession cardholders, a peak single trip will cost $1.61, up from $1.57, with off-peak single trips remaining free. The weekday cap will be $4.80, with a weekend/public holiday cap of $2.17.
School students with MyWay cards will now pay $1.22 for a single trip on a school day, up from $1.19, and $1.61 on weekends and holidays up from $1.57, with a weekday cap of $4.90 and weekend/public holiday cap of $2.17.
For tertiary students with MyWay cards, a single trip on a school and non-school days will now cost $1.61, up from $1.57.
Transport Canberra said the fare increase was consistent with increases in the previous years and would help offset the cost of significant public transport improvements underway in Canberra, as well as increased operational costs.
Transport Canberra Operations executive director Judith Sturman said Transport Canberra has revised its fares in line with inflation.
“Modest annual changes to our fares reflects the fact that salary, fleet, fuel and other costs of delivering our services increase with inflation over time,” she said.
“We believe public transport fares represent great value for money. The ACT Government is making numerous investments and major improvements to Canberra’s public transport network, including the integrated public transport network, new buses, a new depot at Woden and new ticket vending machines.”
The start of Canberra’s new bus network will begin before the second school term next year, with new timetables to be issued in March and a month of free travel to sweeten the delay and encourage patronage.
Transport Canberra also announced customers will pay the same fares whether they are catching a bus or taking light rail when the new public transport system begins running next year.
“There are no additional costs for customers who change buses or use both a bus and light rail as part of the same journey, as transfers are free within 90 minutes,” Ms Sturman said.
“These arrangements deliver on the Government’s commitment ensuring that Canberrans can use one ticket and pay one fare to use public transport, regardless of whether they are using buses, light rail or both.”
For more information on the new fares, click here.
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