Behind the headlines ("Please use PT!"; "Free PT!") the Vic Farmers Federation correctly identified that more PT services are needed to help people to switch.
It's not just about capacity, it's also about boosting frequency (especially outside peak) to make it time-competitive with driving. https://www.vff.org.au/commuters-urged-to-ditch-the-car-to-preserve-critical-farming-fuel/
Commuters urged to ditch the car to preserve critical farming fuel

Victorian farmers are urging commuters to consider swapping their car for public transport and the government to make public transport free, with the potential fuel savings helping ensure farmers can keep planting, harvesting and producing food as our fuel crisis lingers. 

Victorian Farmers Federation