Public transport in two Australian states will be made free to incentivise people not to drive as fuel prices soar due to the war in the Middle East.
Victoria, home to Melbourne, has said it will have free travel throughout April, while Tasmania has announced that commuters will not need to pay from Monday until the end of June.
However, other state governments have so far declined to follow suit, with New South Wales (in which Sydney is located) indicating it was reserving funds to meet increased demand for public transport.
Australia is among several nations that have seen fuel prices increase sharply since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran and the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The average price of petrol in Australia has risen to A$2.38 a litre, increasing from around A$2.09 when the conflict began. This upward trend is attributed to soaring international oil prices rather than supply issues.
As fuel prices continue to impact households, Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, emphasized that these initiatives are immediate responses to support residents during the crisis, stating, 'This won't solve every problem, but it's an immediate step to help Victorians right now.'
Meanwhile, Tasmania's government announced measures free of charge for coaches, buses, and ferries, aimed at alleviating the financial strain on families during this challenging period.
While some states are taking action, others remain cautious. New South Wales transport minister John Graham commented, 'This situation will last more than a month,' indicating a delay in implementing similar measures. South Australia is strategizing by expanding senior travel cards and managing the implications of increased fuel costs.
A wider global impact is observed as other countries are adopting fuel-saving measures to cope with rising costs. For instance, the Philippines declared a national emergency due to the crisis and has implemented policies such as reduced ferry services and a four-day work week for government employees.
