<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The free ride is about to end for seven million </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victorians"><span>Victorians</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Commuters on trains, trams and buses in the state will start paying for public transport </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-news-free-public-transport-in-the-state-to-address-fuel-shortage/aa18489c-095a-4bbc-93a5-a806c0bd3c60" rel="" target="_blank" title="again after two months of fare-free travel."><span>again after two months of fare-free travel.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today is the final weekday that travellers can breeze through the gates without paying a cent.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>NATIONAL:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/officeworks-offshores-jobs-overseas-to-philippines-and-india/f2676351-44cf-44d1-899a-f1df17547041" target="_blank" title="Officeworks to offshore jobs to India and Philippines in $15m restructure"><strong><span>Officeworks to offshore jobs to India and Philippines in $15m restructure</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/real-estate-bodies-say-federal-budget-will-increase-rent/fb13f81a-2699-4226-842e-f77544235f5e" target="_blank"><strong><span>Rents to jump 350 per cent under budget measures, modelling shows</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From Monday, June 1, Victorians will need to tap on with their MyKi.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fares won't be returning to full price, though – the state government is slashing the fare of a one-way trip by 50 per cent until the end of 2026.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/free-public-transport-victoria-when-it-ends-and-what-you-need-to-know/672e8cb7-ff15-4f43-b97a-48b69120a879" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This means a full daily fare will cost the average commuter $5.70, or $34.20 per week if you take a return trip every day of the working week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From June 1 until December 31, this could cost around $1026.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Victorian government said half-price fares will save the average commuter $850.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It introduced the temporary measure as a response to the fuel crisis triggered by ongoing tension in the Middle East.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Premier Jacinta Allan said at the time that free public transport would keep a lid on fuel demand and ease the traffic pressure on the roads.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The scheme is expected to cost the government $432 million in lost revenue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/asio-warning-mps-public-servants-over-talking-in-cars/eebc376f-06cd-4f53-9d57-1824eb47c047" target="_blank"><strong><span>Spy boss warns MPs about talking in cars</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria will also relaunch its </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-trialling-tap-and-go-contactless-payments-on-trains/98ebdfad-e753-4b5b-96d1-6fb4965685bc" rel="" target="_blank" title="contactless payment trial across the network from Monday."><span>contactless payment trial across the network from Monday.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria and Tasmania led the charge with free or subsidised public transport after the US-Iran conflict led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the global supply of crude oil.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW was urged to follow suit, however </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/free-public-transport-nsw-why-state-wont-follow-victoria-and-tasmania-in-fuel-crisis-measure/e5ea855d-3da3-4d94-a589-bb7dacf92955" rel="" target="_blank" title="Premier Chris Minns held firm and refused to offer a fare-free period."><span>Premier Chris Minns held firm and refused to offer a fare-free period.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minns said at the time he wanted to avoid an "expensive" knee-jerk reaction to the ongoing conflict.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>South Australia also ruled out free public transport in March.</span></div></div>