The New South Wales government will lower daily and weekly caps on public transport fares in Tuesday's state budget, aiming to ease cost-of-living pressures without fueling inflation. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced the changes, which apply to Opal card and credit card users on trains, trams, buses, and ferries.
Currently, commuters receive free travel after spending $50 in a week, with daily caps of $19.30 on weekdays and $9.65 on weekends. Seniors have a $2.50 daily cap. The new caps will be lower, though details are yet to be released. The government will not introduce free travel or 50-cent fares like Victoria or Queensland.
Mookhey described the budget as focused on "relief, reform, and discipline," emphasizing the need to manage public money responsibly during high inflation. He said the government aims to address underlying cost pressures such as expensive housing and low wage growth, rather than offering temporary fixes.
The budget also includes $225 million for renewable energy infrastructure, $200 million for heavy rail maintenance, and $130 million for national parks upgrades. Labor plans to use the restrained budget to position itself as a responsible choice ahead of the 2027 state election, contrasting with Coalition promises of new metro lines and One Nation's appeal to battlers.
Mookhey warned that Coalition infrastructure plans would require further privatization of state assets. A May Resolve poll showed Labor's primary vote at 32%, ahead of the Coalition at 26% and One Nation at 22%.
