Premier Roger Cook says his government is serious about providing cost-of-living relief, announcing on Sunday that public transport will be free for WA school students this year.
The Ride to School Free program will allow students with a valid SmartRider card to ride buses and trains free from Monday to Friday.
Public transport will be free on Sundays.
He said the new measure would save parents hundreds of dollars over the school year.
In addition, Cook announced free public transport on Sundays for every West Australian.
“It means families from suburbs can get out and about all day, Sundays … to continue to explore everything we have in Western Australia,” he said.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said schemes such as this had resulted in an uptick in the use of public transport in WA.
The student program would also help alleviate congestion around schools at the start and finish times.
Cook said he was aware that families were struggling to deal with the interest rates rises that had increased the cost of housing and he wanted to help people manage their household budgets.
This free ride to school program would save families with two school aged children around $500 per year.
The Ride to School Free Program will start on Monday, February 5 and fare free Sundays begins next Sunday.