Public transport will be free on the first Sunday of each month from June 4

The WA Government announced yesterday that public transport will be free on the first Sunday each month, kicking off on the WA Day long weekend Sunday (June 4).

According to a statement from Premier Mark McGowan’s office, the “Fare Free Sunday Sessions” are an effort to boost public transport patronage, help ease cost of living pressures and support local hospo and entertainment businesses.

The initiative will only be accessible to SmartRider holders to help track the number of free rides taken over the two next to years of the policy being in place.

“Free public transport on Sundays will help to encourage more Western Australians to get out and about on the weekend, supporting local businesses while boosting use of our trains and buses,” said Mr McGowan.

“The free offer will allow more families to experience more parts of Perth, without the hassle or costs of parking.”

The government anticipates ‘Fare Free Sunday Sessions’ will result in approximately 400,000 free trips per year, a number it hopes to see go up in line with the free offering.

“The aim is to get people used to the idea of catching public transport on weekends, taking the hassle out of driving and allowing them to relax and enjoy themselves while out socialising,” said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

“I am confident that by getting more people to use public transport on weekends, it will also encourage more regular public transport usage during the week.”

SmartRiders are available at Transperth InfoCentres and selected retail outlets, with a campaign soon to commence to rollout more of them in the coming months.

The offer is also able to be accessed by passengers in Bunbury and Karratha where TransRegional Sunday bus services operate.