Two Australian states are offering free public transportation to alleviate the burden of rising fuel costs caused by the war in the Middle East. Victoria, home to Melbourne, will provide free travel on trains, trams, and buses throughout April, according to Premier Jacinta Allan. The initiative aims to reduce pressure on petrol stations. Allan stated this measure "won't solve every problem, but it's an immediate step to help Victorians right now."
Tasmania is also implementing free public transport, with commuters able to travel without charge on coaches, buses, and ferries from Monday until June 30. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said, "We know the rising cost of fuel is impacting the family budget, and that's why we have again taken strong and decisive action to protect Tasmanians." Tasmania's transport minister noted that paid-for school buses would be free, saving users A$20 a week.
The US-Israel war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to the sharp increase in fuel prices in Australia. The near-total blockade of international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for approximately 20% of the world's oil and natural gas, has prompted governments worldwide to implement fuel conservation measures. The average price of petrol in Australia had risen to A$2.38 a litre as of last Sunday, up from around A$2.09 when the war began a month ago, according to figures from the Australian Institute of Petroleum.
Other Australian states have resisted similar actions. New South Wales transport minister John Graham said his state was keeping its "powder dry" because "this situation will last more than a month." South Australia is expanding the number of senior travel cards while absorbing higher fuel costs. Queensland pointed to its flat 50-cent fare introduced last February, while Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said his state had already reduced fares, noting fares were this low when "Rick Astley was top of the charts...back in the 80s."
The Australian government says supply is not an issue, but sharp rises in the price of oil on the international market have impacted fuel prices. Shops, restaurants and cafes in Egypt were told to close early from Saturday as part of a raft of measures that also included non-essential workers being told to work from home one day a week and increasing public transport fares. The Ethiopian government told state-owned companies and public institutions to place non-essential staff on leave so they would not travel into work. The Philippines declared a national emergency, with its government offering subsidies to transport drivers, reducing ferry services and implementing a four-day work week for civil servants.
Two Australian states are offering free public transportation to alleviate the burden of rising fuel costs caused by the war in the Middle East. Victoria, home to Melbourne, will provide free travel on trains, trams, and buses throughout April, according to Premier Jacinta Allan. The initiative aims to reduce pressure on petrol stations. Allan stated this measure "won't solve every problem, but it's an immediate step to help Victorians right now."
Tasmania is also implementing free public transport, with commuters able to travel without charge on coaches, buses, and ferries from Monday until the end of June. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said, "We know the rising cost of fuel is impacting the family budget, and that’s why we have again taken strong and decisive action to protect Tasmanians." Tasmania's transport minister noted that paid-for school buses would be free, saving users A$20 a week.
The US-Israel war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to the sharp increase in fuel prices in Australia. The near-total blockade of international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for approximately 20% of the world's oil and natural gas, has prompted governments worldwide to implement fuel conservation measures. The average price of petrol in Australia had risen to A$2.38 a litre as of last Sunday, up from around A$2.09 when the war began a month ago, according to figures from the Australian Institute of Petroleum.
Other Australian states have resisted similar actions. New South Wales transport minister John Graham said his state was keeping its "powder dry" because "this situation will last more than a month." South Australia is expanding the number of senior travel cards while absorbing higher fuel costs. Queensland pointed to its flat 50-cent fare introduced last February, while Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said his state had already reduced fares, noting fares were this low when "Rick Astley was top of the charts...back in the 80s."
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sought to reassure motorists on Friday following reports of panic-buying and petrol stations running dry. The Australian government says supply is not an issue, but sharp rises in the price of oil on the international market have impacted fuel prices. Shops, restaurants and cafes in Egypt were told to close early from Saturday as part of a raft of measures that also included non-essential workers being told to work from home one day a week and increasing public transport fares. The Ethiopian government told state-owned companies and public institutions to place non-essential staff on leave so they would not travel into work. The Philippines declared a national emergency, with its government offering subsidies to transport drivers, reducing ferry services and implementing a four-day work week for civil servants.
With concerns that a prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could have a wider impact on the global economy, residents of Victoria and Tasmania can utilize free public transport in the coming months to offset rising fuel costs.
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For example, the Tasmania transport minister specified that free school buses will save users A$20, or about £10.40, a week.