News

The Public Transport Ombudsman’s 2023 Annual Report shows a 61.6 per cent rise in Victorians contacting the PTO in 2022–23, in line with higher public transport use, with most issues still relating to staff, service delivery, ticketing and infrastructure. Complaints about Authorised Officers nearly tripled to 150 and fines complaints rose 118 per cent to 264, reflecting both increased patronage and the PTO’s expanded role in reviewing the fairness of some public transport fines.

Regional public transport fares in Victoria were capped at $9.20 per day ($4.60 concession) from 31 March 2023, aligning regional and metropolitan costs and significantly reducing long-distance fares. The cap later increased to $10 ($5 concession) on 30 June 2023. The change is expected to improve equity and make travel more accessible. Passengers should contact PTV with enquiries before approaching the PTO.

The Public Transport Ombudsman’s 2022 Annual Report shows a 10 per cent rise in complaints in 2021–22, broadly in line with more Victorians returning to public transport. While the main issues remained staff, land and infrastructure, service delivery, ticketing and vehicles, there were increases in accessibility and Authorised Officer complaints. The Report also outlines a new arrangement with the Department of Transport allowing the PTO to review the fairness of some public transport fines in cases involving special or exceptional circumstances.

As Victorians return to the office, it’s important to plan ahead for public transport. Ensure your myki is current and has enough balance, check for service changes, and remember that myki fares increased on 1 January 2022. Face masks remain mandatory unless exempt. For more information or if you need assistance, you can contact the PTO or use the PTV app to plan your journey.