Country fare ends

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
YEARS of expensive bus travel will come to an end in July when the country fare is scrapped on the Upper Yarra route.
Commuters will soon be able to travel on public transport with a single ticket after the State Budget confirmed the deal that from 1 July the country fare would be abolished between East Warburton and Allsops Road, Launching Place.
The country fare was a major election issue that had bi-partisan support during last year’s campaigns, but it is an issue that has been a thorn in the side of Liberal and Labor governments for more than 15 years.
Passengers travelling from Lilydale to Allsops Road pay $4.80 full fare, but once past Allsops Road they are required to pay an additional ‘country fare’ of $2.
While there is a slight advantage for passengers travelling within the Warburton-Allsops Road stretch, who pay a full fare of $2 each way, the majority of passengers pay the two fares.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin, who campaigned actively with Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe, said removing the country fare would make catching public transport cheaper and easier for Upper Yarra residents.
“Many communities in the Upper Yarra are isolated and locals rely on the bus service to access education, social, employment and health services,” he said. “Currently, residents wanting to travel to Melbourne or even Chirnside Park Shopping Centre must purchase two tickets – one to get them to Launching Place and one to get them past Launching Place.
“From 1 July, Upper Yarra residents will need just one ticket to travel.”
Mr Battin said residents had long fought for the removal of the additional country fare ticket in the Upper Yarra.