Easing transport cost pressures
by SANDI MILLER
25th May 2026
The State Government is investing in new trains and supporting more services on the network, allowing for more space at peak times.
The Middle East crisis is causing a surge in fuel prices, Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams says to ease the pressure the government is putting the expanded network to work — delivering more services, more often across the network — with additional train services to help Victorians save money and time.
More new trains
The Victorian Budget 2026/27 invests $673.6 million to deliver 25 locally built X’Trapolis 2.0 trains.
These new trains are bigger and better, more comfortable and more efficient — carrying around 1,225 passengers.
The investment also supports 750 jobs across Victoria.
In total, 50 X’Trapolis 2.0 trains have been funded by the State Government.
The first 25 are set to roll out on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines in the coming months.
More train services
Locally, this means additional services across the Hurstbridge line and Lilydale/Belgrave lines.
PTV has added 3,500 train services to the network and are set to deliver more.
Belgrave and Lilydale lines:
- trains will run every 20 minutes to the end of the line on weekday evenings — up from every 30 minutes
- trains will run every 10 mins on the Ringwood corridor on weekday evenings — up from every 15 minutes
Hurstbridge/Mernda lines:
- trains will run every 20 minutes to Eltham all weekend — up from every 30 minutes in the evening and every 40 minutes on Sunday morning
- services will run every 10 minutes between the city and Clifton Hill — up from every 15 minutes on weekend evenings and every 20 minutes on Sunday mornings into the city
These new services meet growing demand for evening and weekend services.
Time ranges listed are averages.
Public transport remains free for Melbourne’s trains, trams and buses; and regional trains, coaches and buses (including intertown and regional town bus services) until the end of May, then fares will be half-price from June 1 until the end of the year.
Premier Jacinta Allan said:
“half-price trains and more train services will save you money and time”.
She said half-price public transport will save the regular daily commuter more than $850 and keeps a lid on fuel demand for everyone else.
Victorian vehicle registration rebate
The cost-of-living relief is not restricted to public transport.
From Monday, June 1 to Friday, July 31, Victorians can apply for a 20 per cent rebate on their car registration payments.
This will save the average driver up to $186 per vehicle on their 2025–26 car registrations.
Car owners can apply a rebate on a maximum of two vehicles via the Service Victoria app or website.
Eligible vehicles include:
- cars
- wagons (4WD)
- station wagons
- motorcycles
- utes
- vans
- light trucks.
See service.vic.gov.au/rego-rebate for more information.
