Kent Parkstreet8h ago

So public transport users have supported the system by paying for it, now it will be free for motorists? Why? Because they will be suffering?

It’s cool that there is extra capacity available, but why isn’t it being used to reduce the current overcrowding on peak services?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-29/free-public-transport-april-victoria-fuel-prices-cost-of-living/106506974

Public transport to be free for Victorians in April as fuel prices climb

The Victorian government says public transport will be free across the state in April in a bid to relieve cost-of-living pressure as fuel prices continue to climb.

Show threadKent Parkstreet

It’s amusing that Labor politicians have this privileged way of thinking.

“The schmucks who use it every day can eat a bag of dicks, but those unaccustomed to public transport will require a softer cushion to ease their pain.”

10:30pmWeb
Show threadSteph8h ago
@kentparkstreet1 I agree. It's an ass faced reaction by government.
Instead of making public transport more available and reliable for the majority over the decades, they pander to the regular petrol users. Cos yeah, life is tough when you have to decide between food on your table or food for your SUV (I exaggerate 😉).
Show threadKent Parkstreet7h ago

@Stevie63

Increasing capacity and improving safety so everyone can use the system and save money would be a more honest approach. This feels like PR.

Show threadAJ Sadauskas7h ago
@Stevie63 @kentparkstreet1 Honestly, I'm not surprised.

On Wednesday, I literally told a colleague at work that if I were a state government political strategist, I'd be urging the premier to make public transport free.

On the broader topic...

For 20 or 30 years, there's been a group of talking heads who have consistently argued against ending our fossil fuel dependence. That includes oil and gas.

Who have deliberately spread disinformation about the climate. Who have forcefully argued for more roads, and against public transport. Who have argued against replacing gas appliances with electric. Who have argued against renewables and storage. Who have argued for petrol engines over battery electric. Who got the price on carbon repealed.

Remember all those times we were told about how more oil and gas would make things cheaper?

The Scott Morrison gas-led recovery.

And here we are. Diesel is over $3 a litre and these same arseholes are crying about fuel prices and cost of living?!

Spare me!
Show threadKent Parkstreet7h ago

@aj @Stevie63

And when fares return to normal after petrol prices decrease it will be the punters paying off the cost.

Show threadSteph7h ago
@kentparkstreet1 @aj As always …
Show threadAmo a Sam amat7h ago

@kentparkstreet1 and just like pausing mutual obligation during covid, when this fuel crisis us over, we'll go back to charging for "public" transport.

If there's one thing all #australia can come together on, it's that "beating poor people with sticks" is the national sport. We bloody love that shit. Better still if they're disabled and/or brown.

Asked my work for an Opal (aka Myki, Oyster etc) card instead of a Fuel Card. Their response? Laughter and incomprehension. Why would I, a rich able-bodied white person, want to beat MYSELF with STICKS? Madness, it's #UnAustralian .

Show threadKent Parkstreet7h ago

@Heterokromia

We could double unemployment benefit when nice middle class people needed it.

I get that from a Tory government. I guess we have Tory Labor government now.