Fares comparison: January 2009

We compared public transport fares from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. By looking at rail (or bus) fares from various suburbs, we were able to compare the costs of travelling into each city’s CBD.

The figures (as at January 2009, and including the Melbourne and Sydney price-rises on 1st January 2009) are shown in the graphs below.

They show that for public transport trips under 40km, Melbourne is the most expensive city in Australia, apart from some short trips which are more expensive under the flat-fare system used in Adelaide and some trips in Sydney. Trips over 40km are cheaper in Melbourne than some other cities, helped by the removal of zone 3 in March 2007.

Australia comparison of public transport fares - single trip to CBD

Australia comparison of public transport fares - return trip to CBD

Australia comparison of public transport fares - 10 trips to/from CBD

Download all the figures (Microsoft Excel format, 63Kb)

Previous comparison from June 2007, including international comparison.

See also: The Age 15/12/2008: Melburnians fare badly when paying for public transport