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Your weekend adventures just got easier! Free trains, trams and buses

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Your weekend adventures just got easier! Free trains, trams and buses

  • Maan
  • By Maan
1759970628397.png Your weekend adventures just got easier! Free trains, trams and buses
Free weekend travel marks Metro Tunnel celebration. Image source: Pexels/Hatice Baran | Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.

After eight long years of constant construction and disruption, Victorians will finally have a reason to celebrate.



The city’s transport network is about to get a monumental upgrade.



And the state government has an extraordinary surprise in store for commuters this summer.




Premier Jacinta Allan revealed a historic initiative to thank Victorians for their patience during the Metro Tunnel works: free public transport every weekend from early December 2025 to 1 February 2026.




'Everyone, everywhere, every weekend, free until Feb 1. The biggest free transport bonanza in Victoria's history.'

Premier Jacinta Allan



The offer covered every tram, bus, and train in Melbourne and across regional Victoria, from the first service on Saturday to the last service on Sunday.



Passengers will not be required to have a Myki or ticket, and gates are set to open automatically.



Anyone who will tap on out of habit would not be charged.




This initiative coincided with the opening of Melbourne’s $15 billion Metro Tunnel, which had disrupted the city for nearly a decade.



The tunnel introduced 240 new weekly services, linking the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines through five underground stations: Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac.



The Metro Tunnel doubled the size of Melbourne’s underground rail network, transforming public transport in Victoria and making weekend travel simpler than ever.



Regional travel and tourism boost



For regional areas, the initiative promises a tourism boost.



Warrnambool mayor Ben Blain said the free travel would encourage more visitors from Melbourne and other parts of the state to explore regional Victoria, especially the south-west.



Regional travellers are still required to reserve seats on select services, but reservations are free.



This applied to popular routes like the Warrnambool line, where overcrowding had previously been an issue due to the limited three-carriage VLocity trains.



Families, older Australians, and anyone mindful of transport costs could finally explore Melbourne and regional Victoria without worrying about travel expenses.



Trips to Ballarat, the Mornington Peninsula or simply visiting family in the city became financially stress-free adventures.




The Big Switch and ongoing benefits



The initiative will run until 1 February 2026, when the 'Big Switch' would fully integrate the Metro Tunnel into the state’s transport network, delivering over 1,000 additional weekly services and a new timetable for all passengers.



Premier Allan explained: 'This is our way of saying thanks to everyone for their patience while we built the Metro Tunnel—and to celebrate this huge moment in the history of our state.'



After years of construction noise, weekend rail replacements and service disruptions, these free weekends felt like a well-deserved reward for commuters—and a perfect opportunity to see what the Metro Tunnel had made possible.



What This Means For You


Free weekend travel ran from early December 2025 to 1 February 2026, covering all Melbourne and regional trains, trams and buses.



No Myki or ticket was required, as gates were open automatically, making it simple and stress-free to get around.



Regional travellers still needed to make free reservations on select services, ensuring everyone could plan their trips comfortably.



For anyone who has been holding off on weekend adventures due to transport costs, this initiative made exploring the city, visiting family or discovering regional destinations easier and more enjoyable than ever.




If you’re feeling inspired to make the most of your free weekend travel, there are plenty of events across the state that are worth checking out.



Planning ahead can help you turn a simple trip into a full day of activities without worrying about transport costs.



Here’s a great story that shows how you can discover exciting events and get there for free.



Read more: October just got exciting! Thousands of events await seniors—here’s how you can get there for free





What weekend adventures are you planning to take advantage of this historic offer?

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WOW! "Wacky Doodle", one little right for a "BILLION WRONGS" by her.
The Victorian populous will certainly be THRILLED to pieces, corks popping & flag waving to celebrate her generosity with fan fair.
 
Living in regional Victoria, I am aware how many of the train services are at or near capacity now. This will, predictably, increase patronage. So are they increasing capacity such as putting extra carriages or more services? Or will it be another Vic State Govt bungled program?
 
Premier Allan explained: 'This is our way of saying thanks to everyone for their patience while we built the Metro Tunnel—and to celebrate this huge moment in the history of our state.' Just add these extra costs to the burgeoning ongoing costs to this Labour fantasy.
 
I don't know alot about what happens in Victoria and it seems the premier is not popular on this discussion page but at least over a more expensive period like Christmas and new year people can save some money and get out and about for free so how about take advantage of it and be positive before knocking everything. In this cost of living crisis all these concessions will add up and allow people to do other things.
 
Premier Allan explained: 'This is our way of saying thanks to everyone for their patience while we built the Metro Tunnel—and to celebrate this huge moment in the history of our state.' Just add these extra costs to the burgeoning ongoing costs to this Labour fantasy.
Don't know why you are posting angry emojis?
 
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Reactions: CemisugO
Why does your "headline" say "for all Aussies"? You're only mentioning Victoria! Talk about click-bait!
 
WHOOPTYDOO we here in queensland pay 50cents all day and everyday, bus ferry and trains.
 
I think we already get free transport on the weekends being a senior.
 
Jacinta is building up for the next election. We’ve got no money but our next over budget build will be a billion dollar MCG redevelopment.
 
Jacinta is building up for the next election. We’ve got no money but our next over budget build will be a billion dollar MCG redevelopment.
Estimated $2billion now but by the time if and when it gets built it’ll be double that you watch 😕
 
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Reactions: Colette 3799
Jacinta is building up for the next election. We’ve got no money but our next over budget build will be a billion dollar MCG redevelopment.
Just as the Roman's did, give the people their distractions and my motto, just replace footy with whatever sport the sheep watch.
 
Please explain. I live in NSW, how this benefit EVERYONE?
 
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Reactions: MiasMum
Here in WA seniors get free travel on weekends and I believe it's between 9.30am and 3.30pm on weekdays. School children now get free travel, not sure if it is just for school or all the time. We are lucky and makes a significant difference.
 

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