Machinery & Infrastructure
1 April, 2026
Free ride as fuel concerns deepen
IN a bid to relieve cost-of-living pressures, the state government has announced public transport will be free across the state in April.
The measure, which the government estimates will cost $70 million, comes as fuel costs continue to rise due to supply shocks in the Middle East.
The announcement comes just weeks after the Victorian Farmers Federation, in a statement issued on March 17, urged commuters to use publish transport and for the government to make transport free to help save critical farming fuel.
Farmers across Victoria are becoming increasingly concerned that supply soon won’t meet demand.
In its March 17 statement, the VFF said it believed the potential fuel savings (as a result of free public transport) could help ensure farmers can keep planting, harvesting and producing food as the fuel crisis lingers.
VFF president Brett Hosking said fuel shortages affect rural communities very differently to metropolitan households, where farming operations rely solely on critical fuel to grow their products.
“For most Victorians, a fuel shortage means cancelled plans, longer queues and a tighter weekly budget,” he said.
“For farmers, timing is everything. Farming runs on narrow weather windows, and if the tank is empty at the wrong moment you can’t just wait for prices to settle, you lose the opportunity, and sometimes the entire crop.
“Keeping farmers moving is in everyone’s interest. Victorian farmers grow almost a quarter of Australia’s food and feed millions more across the globe.”
The VFF believes small changes in commuting behaviour across Melbourne could make a meaningful difference.
“If just one in five Victorian car commuters shifted to public transport, the fuel saved would be enough to plant roughly half of Australia’s wheat, barley, canola and lentil crop,” Mr Hosking said.
“A little would go a long way. Even taking one or two trips a week on the train, tram or bus instead of driving can leave more fuel in the system for the jobs that keep supermarket shelves stocked.”
To encourage the switch in commuting behaviour, the VFF believes free public transport across Victoria should be offered “until supply stabilises.”
“Fare-free public transport makes it easier for households to choose trains, trams and buses over cars, particularly when living costs are high,” last month’s statement read.
The VFF also urged the government to run more services, more often, especially at peak times.
“Free transport only works if the system can absorb extra passengers safely and comfortably – add services, increase frequency and expand capacity,” Mr Hosking said.
“When the dust settles, the government needs to take a good hard look at the numerous warnings they’ve ignored that’s left us in this predicament.
“For now, we’re asking for a helping hand to grow the food and make sure it gets to where it needs to go.”