Post #2074037

@jeremyburge The overhaul of the myki system is likely to cost $2.8 billion over 15 years, at an average cost of a touch over $180 million/year. The ticket inspectors themselves cost ~$50 million/year in salaries. If we had permanent free fares, we wouldn't need any of that, so it would only cost the taxpayer $710 million. Public transport users would still be saving the full $940 million - more, if it converts car journeys. Sure, $710 million could expand services, but it's not an either/or - for decades, we've had neither free fares nor expanded services. Now the government has a reason to support public transport and we've suddenly got free fares, a $100 million bus bonanza, 25 additional X'Trap 2 trains, 3,500 more train services across the network, ... Given the comparative cost of private motor vehicle transport, it's not a question of whether we can afford public transport. It a question of whether we can afford to not have it. #Melbourne #VicPol #SpringSt