5 weeks free transport is an incentive for people to try public transport again, if they have not done so for a long time. This may make them switch to train or bus permanently, taking some rush-hour cars off the roads.
Anyone who is having to work straight through the summer months(ie. not able to take a long holiday), would be just the group needing this kind of assistance.
There are plenty of spare seats on most buses. Increasing the patronage of them would be a benefit.
As a kid I would have taken advantage of this. The fare cost to Perth or Freo was more money that could have gone towards enjoying a day out.
This is all conjecture and I’d be keen to see, either way, whether their is an increase in ridership over the 5 weeks, comparable to previous years.
The big question is… are the ferries free too?
Yes, ferries are included in the free travel from Dec 24th - Jan 28th. (A Smartrider is required to take these free travel trips on any service)
I would really love this to be part of a bigger ongoing plan to boost ridership again. Last i heard it hasn’t rebounded since Covid still. But i don’t know that 5 weeks free ridership would be enough on it’s own to set peoples habits.
Totally agree with workers through the holidays, and teenagers going out, would be some of the people to naturally benefit the most from this.
I might just have to go catch the ferry this summer then. I read a little while ago there are calls to increase the numbers and stops of the ferry system it could be a good, and cheaper addition to the PT network
5 weeks free transport is an incentive for people to try public transport again, if they have not done so for a long time. This may make them switch to train or bus permanently, taking some rush-hour cars off the roads.
Anyone who is having to work straight through the summer months(ie. not able to take a long holiday), would be just the group needing this kind of assistance.
There are plenty of spare seats on most buses. Increasing the patronage of them would be a benefit.
As a kid I would have taken advantage of this. The fare cost to Perth or Freo was more money that could have gone towards enjoying a day out.
This is all conjecture and I’d be keen to see, either way, whether their is an increase in ridership over the 5 weeks, comparable to previous years.
The big question is… are the ferries free too?
Yes, ferries are included in the free travel from Dec 24th - Jan 28th. (A Smartrider is required to take these free travel trips on any service)
I would really love this to be part of a bigger ongoing plan to boost ridership again. Last i heard it hasn’t rebounded since Covid still. But i don’t know that 5 weeks free ridership would be enough on it’s own to set peoples habits.
Totally agree with workers through the holidays, and teenagers going out, would be some of the people to naturally benefit the most from this.
I might just have to go catch the ferry this summer then. I read a little while ago there are calls to increase the numbers and stops of the ferry system it could be a good, and cheaper addition to the PT network