Media release

From the Minister for Public Transport

Wednesday, 11 February, 2009

Public Transport Assistance for Bushfire Victims

The Brumby Government, in conjunction with V/Line, Connex, Yarra Trams and the bus industry, will provide free travel to individuals and families who have lost their homes in the recent bushfires.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said free travel would be available to all eligible people until 1 October 2009 on all public transport services in Victoria, including metropolitan, V/Line and bus services within regional cities.

“Communities across Victoria have been devastated by more than 400 bushfires that have swept across the state. This offer allows people to use their local public transport services or catch V/Line services to and from Melbourne to visit loved ones in hospital or attend appointments,” she said.

Ms Kosky said the Brumby Government would meet the cost of free travel on bus services across Victoria and V/Line, Connex and Yarra Trams would not seek compensation for ticket sales.

Metlink chief executive Bernie Carolan said many transport operators had been impacted by the recent bushfires with some staff losing their homes or suffering injuries.

“We want to do whatever we can to help families through this terrible hardship and through the challenging time ahead as they rebuild their homes and communities,” he said.

"Public transport operators and the bus industry are very close to the communities impacted by the fires. Many of our staff live in these areas and many are close to the grief and the loss being experienced, so we want to do what we can to help those affected."

Free public transport will be provided to individuals and families who have lost their homes and have received one of the following grants from the Department of Human Services (DHS):

· Emergency grant;

· Temporary living grant; and

· Re-establishment grant.

Individual passes will be issued to all residents including children of the property that has been lost in the bushfires.

Information on how to apply for the grants is available from the DHS website: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/financial-assistance

Once someone has received any DHS grant they should contact Metlink on 131 638 so that arrangements can be made for a free travel pass to be issued.

People can organise to have their passes mailed to relatives’ homes, their local post office, temporary accommodation, nearest staffed V/Line station or V/Line ticket agents.

The pass can also be issued on the spot at the Central Pass Office at Southern Cross Station.