By Georgina Connery
Action bus trips will cost more next year with price rises for MyWay and cash fares coming into effect on January 14.
MyWay fares will increase by a maximum of 2.7 per cent and cash fares will increase by between 10¢ and 20¢ depending on the ticket type.
Public transport prices will rise in the new year. Credit: Graham Tidy
But there is good news for senior and concession card holders, who will travel free during off-peak times as part of a 12-month trial.
Public Transport Operations director Ian McGlinn said the trial offered free travel on weekdays between 9am and 4.30pm, after 6pm and all Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Transport Canberra table of current and new ticket prices.Credit: Transport Canberra
"To be eligible for the free travel, passengers will be required to use their MyWay card and tap on and off the bus as usual," he said.
Students and tertiary card holders were excluded from the free off-peak travel trial.
Mr McGlinn said ACT public transport was more affordable than in other areas.
"A trip from Gungahlin to the city during peak times is only $3.06 when paying with MyWay. A similar journey, over 12 kilometres, would cost as much as $4.20 in other jurisdictions," he said.
MyWay card trip prices were significantly cheaper than cash fares. Discounts were given to card holders and price was controlled using monthly and daily fare caps.
"Adults travelling during peak times receive a discount of 36 per cent when using MyWay compared to paying for a single cash fare," he said.
"Further discounts are also available when passengers choose to top up their MyWay card using auto load or B-Pay."