Low-income school students from Melton could be cut some slack as the state government considers overhauling public transport fares.
Public transport minister Jacinta Allan announced a shake-up of fines in response to a report, launched on March 22, which urged the government to reform the fines it hands out to young people.
“Current concession fares significantly reduce the cost of travelling for students, but we recognise that, for the most disadvantaged, even a small fare can have a big impact,” Ms Allan said.
“We are currently reviewing the ticketing enforcement regime to ensure it is fair for all, particularly for those kids who have the least and need public transport the most.”
Melton’s students, aged between 10 and 19, represent nearly 14 per cent of the local population which also has the highest youth unemployment in the state.
The new report, Fare Go: Myki, transport poverty and access to education in Melbourne’s west, was a joint venture by Victoria University and the WEstjustice Sunshine Youth office.
It calls on the government to give children whose families are on Centrelink free public transport. It also calls for student cards to be proof of entitlement to a concession ticket and wants the fines system for people aged under 18 to be abolished.
Myki versus breakfast
The report indicates that in disadvantaged suburbs, particularly in the west, Myki fares compete with a kid’s ability to buy breakfast or school books.
“Given that the focus for young people in secondary school is their education, the government’s policy means that many young people do not have a source of income outside the home. Young people are very unlikely to have their own funds to pay the fines.”
There were 7000 warrants issued to young Victorians for not paying fines during 2014-15.
“If you go to a free public school and have to use public transport to get there, it will cost you $7500 over your 12 years of school just to get to and from school,” high-profile barrister Julian Burnside said last week.
“Many families can’t afford the initial payment for Myki.”
– with The Age
