The ACT Greens have labelled the territory government's latest public transport initiative as 'underwhelming, confusing and temporary', while a grassroots transport group says it strikes a 'good balance'. The ACT government announced on Wednesday, April 1, that it would halve the monthly public transport cap, meaning commuters would travel for free after taking more than 20 trips, until the end of June 2026.
ACT Greens transport spokesperson Andrew Braddock criticised the move, arguing the cost-of-living relief relied on a functioning MyWay+ ticketing system. 'To benefit at all from these temporary transport charging arrangements, people will need a flawless experience with MyWay+ on 20 separate trips each month,' he said. Braddock also called for free public transport during the fuel crisis, following initiatives in Victoria and Tasmania.
Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton renewed his calls for 50 cent fares, saying the initiative should be about encouraging mode change. 'Surely this is a moment where you want to actually get people over the line to try the bus for the first time,' he said. Parton criticised the complexity of the government's approach.
However, Public Transport Association of Canberra chair Amy Jelacic had a more positive perspective, saying the initiative struck a 'good balance' between doing nothing and providing free public transport, which she noted the ACT budget could not accommodate. She said the cap would reward regular use and encourage new transport habits. Jelacic also urged continued efforts to improve service, especially on high-demand routes like the R4.
