Transport union in NSW calls on state government to scrap public transport fares as high fuel costs mount cost-of-living pressure; transport minister responds

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), the main transport workers’ union in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), has called on the state government to scrap public transport fares as more people shift from using cars to trains, trams and buses for their daily commute to and from work amid rising petrol costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to 9News, as diesel prices have risen above $3 a litre in some parts of the country, more people are turning to public transport for their daily commute. Besides fuel prices, higher inflation and interest rates are also contributing to cost-of-living pressures. These concerns have led the transport union to argue that public transport fares should be significantly reduced or temporarily removed altogether.

"We could reduce it to nothing for a period of time, or drop it to 50 cents, which has worked well in Queensland," RTBU NSW branch secretary Toby Warnes said at a press conference in Sydney today, as quoted by 9News. "Get them out of their cars, give them cost-of-living relief, and use the fuel where we need it," he added.

NSW Transport Minister responds

Reacting to the concerns and demands raised by the RTBU, Transport Minister John Graham swiftly dismissed the idea, claiming public transport in Sydney was already priced fairly. "Public transport is a good alternative if you are worried about fuel prices," he said.

The daily cap for adults using public transport in Sydney is $19.30 between Monday and Thursday and $9.65 from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays, 9News reported. According to the current estimates, Australians are paying about $30 more per tank of unleaded petrol and $70 per tank of diesel since the start of the US and Israel's war in Iran.