- Free public transport for SmartRider holders on the first Sunday of each month
- Funded by the McGowan Government through the 2023-24 State Budget
- Fare Free Sunday Sessions to boost public transport patronage, help ease cost of living and support local hospitality and entertainment businesses
Western Australians will soon have another reason to catch public transport, with access to free all-day travel on the first Sunday of each month as part of the plan to attract more people to public transport and help ease cost of living pressures.
The McGowan Government's 'Fare Free Sunday Sessions' initiative, which will begin on 4 June to coincide with the WA Day long weekend, aims to encourage more people to use public transport on weekends, supporting local hospitality and entertainment businesses.
Based on public transport patronage figures over the past year, this equates to about 400,000 free trips across the network each year, with the hope of boosting that figure over the duration of the trial and beyond.
The free travel will apply to people using SmartRider cards, so the number of rides can be tracked and the two-year policy assessed.
It can also be accessed by passengers in Bunbury and Karratha where TransRegional Sunday bus services operate.
SmartRiders are available at Transperth InfoCentres and selected retail outlets, and the Public Transport Authority will run a campaign in coming months to rollout more SmartRiders.
The initiative will complement the Government's existing two-zone cap scheme, which has saved regular public transport users in the outer suburbs thousands of dollars in the past year.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"Free public transport on Sundays will help to encourage more Western Australians to get out and about on the weekend, supporting local businesses while boosting use of our trains and buses.
"The free offer will allow more families to experience more parts of Perth, without the hassle or costs of parking.
"As more of METRONET is built, delivering a once-in-a-generation expansion to Perth's public transport network, this new free travel offer will entice more people to experience our world-class network."
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"In recent months, we've seen a really strong bounce back in patronage after the impacts of COVID, and this initiative will encourage more people to use public transport on weekends, whether it be to watch sport, catch a movie or dine out with family and friends.
"This in turn will help support the local entertainment and hospitality industry to rebuild after what has been a difficult three years.
"The aim is to get people used to the idea of catching public transport on weekends, taking the hassle out of driving and allowing them to relax and enjoy themselves while out socialising.
"I am confident that by getting more people to use public transport on weekends, it will also encourage more regular public transport usage during the week."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500
