Victorian families accessing the School Bus Program in Werribee are set to save hundreds of dollars a year in student bus fares.

Minister for Education, James Merlino, today announced that the complicated system of bus fares affecting thousands of families in regional Victoria and on Melbourne’s metropolitan fringe will have a single fare for travel.

This means that the families of students who use the program can expect to save between $80 and $760 per year.

Currently, students not attending their closest government or non-government denominational school pay annual bus fares ranging from $480 to $1240, depending on distance travelled.

From 2016, these students will be able to travel at a reduced rate of $480 per annum.

This is the result of the Andrews Labor Government listening to feedback from families and schools regarding the old complicated ticketing system.

This reduction in fares will enable greater choice in selecting schools and transport options for families and lighten the workload on school administrators.

The improvements announced today do not affect families eligible for free bus travel.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas:

“The reduction of bus fares will be welcomed by thousands of families across regional Victoria.”

“Not only will it save many of them money, it will allow more families to access the School Bus Program to get to and from school.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, James Merlino:

“We’re investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State, so every community has access to great local schools and every child gets the chance to succeed.”