Victoria raises public transport daily fare cap to $11.40 in 2026
Statewide fare review increases the daily cap for Melbourne’s public transport, with weekend discounts and unchanged concession rates noted by officials.
Victoria will raise the daily cap for public transport to $11.40 starting Jan 1, 2026, affecting commuters on trams, buses and trains across Melbourne and the wider state. The increase is a 40-cent rise from the prior full daily cap of $11, and it applies to the Zone 1, Zone 1+2 metropolitan fares and the regional fare cap.
The changes also keep concession fares significantly cheaper, with a $5.70 daily cap for Zone 1 and 2. On weekends and public holidays, the price drops further: full-fare cardholders will pay a maximum of $8, while concession cardholders cap at $4.
Transport Victoria said the fare changes are part of its yearly statewide review and are applied across the network to ensure equity for all Victorians and to support the operation of trains, trams and buses. The department described the hike as fair and necessary to maintain service levels and keep the transport system sustainable.
Reaction from travellers has been mixed. Some Victorians voiced concern on social media that the increase adds to the cost of living, with commenters noting that driving can remain cheaper when more than one person is traveling. Others argued that higher fares are an expected part of funding public transport and keeping services reliable, arguing the price rise is a gradual step that aligns with annual reviews and network needs.
The fare rise comes amid broader cost-of-living pressures facing households in Australia. Officials emphasize that fare revenue supports the operation and maintenance of the state's train, tram and bus networks, with adjustments made to balance affordability for low-income and everyday riders while ensuring the system remains financially viable.
Economists and transport analysts say the impact on ridership will depend on how travellers respond to the new cap and weekend discounts, as well as any related service changes. In the near term, planners will monitor usage patterns and revenue trends to gauge the policy’s effect on congestion, public-transport reliance and overall mobility in the Melbourne metropolitan area and regional Victoria.