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Free Transport A Boon For Country Kids And Students

Children and full-time students throughout country Victoria will travel on public transport for free under a Liberal Government, Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis said today.

By Liberals - 6th November 2006 - Back to News

Mr Davis said the Liberal Party’s public transport policy detailed how children to the age of 14, primary and secondary school students as well as tertiary students who are eligible for a concession card will receive free public travel.

"This initiative includes V/Line passenger trains as well as all metropolitan services, which is great news for country students," Mr Davis said.

"This policy will be especially welcome by tertiary students because it will ease their financial load, and provide more opportunity for country students who are studying in the city to come home at weekends without it costing them a cent.

"Families will also benefit from this initiative, because free travel for children will certainly ease the cost burden of family outings, holidays and everyday travel.

"But most of all this policy is especially geared towards country children and students.

"Because of the distances between services and facilities in country Victoria, those relying on public transport pay more than those in the city.

"A Liberal Government’s commitment to assist in the cost of travel for country Victorians will reduce isolation and open more doors for students."

Mr Davis said students must obtain a concession card ($8.50), which will be used to obtain free public transport on all V/Line’s rural trains and buses, urban bus services in Victoria’s regional cities and towns such as Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, the Latrobe Valley, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

It will also include Melbourne trains, trams and buses.

A Liberal Government will introduce the free public transport from July 2007.

"A Liberal Government will assist country students to continue their studies in other regional centres and in Melbourne by easing the burden of public transport costs."

(For further detail see ‘A Liberal Government Plan for Improved Public Transport Access’, at www.vic.liberal.org.au)

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  East Gippsland Shire Council presents the 2025 Seniors Festival, offering over 60 free and low-cost events celebrating connection, creativity, wellbeing, and community for older residents throughout October.
• South Gippsland Remembrance Day services to be held in various locations and other council updates
  South Gippsland marks Remembrance Day on 11 November with local services honouring veterans. Plus, free green waste disposal, festive giving initiatives, business support, community events, and engagement opportunities across the region this spring.
• Darren Chester urges more fuel reduction to protect Victorian communities from bushfires
  Darren Chester urged increased fuel reduction on Victorian public land, warning unmanaged forests worsen bushfires, and criticised the native timber industry shutdown while praising volunteers and community resilience.
• East Gippsland Council and farmers welcome the $2.75M boost for feral pig control under the Victorian government's Protecting Biodiversity program
  East Gippsland Shire Council and farmers welcome $2.75 million for feral pig control, focusing on public land, local employment, and coordinated efforts to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and regional communities.
• Allan Labor government backs First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with new sports grants
  The Allan Labor government has announced over $67,000 in Aboriginal Sport Participation Grants, supporting First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with travel, uniforms, and equipment to compete locally and nationally.
• Meet with South Gippsland Mayor Hersey to discuss ideas or issues that matter to you and your community and other council updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council is offering multiple opportunities for community engagement, upcoming events, free workshops, grants, vaccination sessions, and council services throughout Summer 2026 for residents and local businesses.
• Latrobe City Council's Councillor Sharon Gibson joins Regional Cities Victoria mayors to shape 2026 regional agenda
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson joins Regional Cities Victoria mayors to shape 2026 agenda, advocating sustainable growth, investment, and workforce opportunities for regional Victoria’s cities and surrounding communities.
• Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
  Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve.