First time post. I didn't realise that this hasn't been posted before.
All public bus services are free from Monday 1 July to Monday 30 September.
This applies to Darwin, Casuarina, Palmerston and Alice Springs.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the free service.
But if it's all you can afford, then it's cheaper for you now, no?
No need to shame those who take public transport (no matter how bad the transport is)
No need to shame…
I wouldnt have read that at all. In fact if anything the comment if read by the powers to be would be more like. - Make them better (which benefits everyone).
I take public transport all the time. However, the last time I took a bus in Darwin (May this year) it was held up halfway through the because two guys decided to start beating the sh** out of each other and needed to get thrown off. 10 minutes later we had two families get on and scream at each other for the remaining 20 minutes. This was all at 3 in the afternoon.
This kind of crap is normal on public transport in Darwin.
I haven't caught a Darwin bus in over 10 years. The last one I did catch was the reason. Absolutely shocking ride from city to cas on the number 4.
Bus 5, represent
Sounds fun and good material for a live reality ahow
They need to pay $10 per km to make it a good deal.
[Cashless] dole chariot.
Using this public transport will help anyone with an open heart to connect to their community and perhaps see a different side of life (and of course, get from A to B).
You'll be safe… don't be a snowflake… And, to be clear, when I mention snowflakes in this specific instance (using public transport in potentially disadvantaged areas) I reckon it'd almost always be out of touch privileged white men who are said snowflakes…
One way bus ticket to Casuarina prison, WA
Public transport should be affordable, I certainly wouldn’t mind if it’s free. The original cost of public transport around Australia is very expensive, and likely part of the reason why not many people on board. Nonetheless, there are other reasons public transport might not be a good choice, even when it is free, like chickentaste mentioned above.
Have been taking 50c rides in Qld the last few weeks, quite some experience, happy to share a few. First, I’m amazed that people think it is okay to vape on train platform, in the train, and on the bus, saw with my own eyes, multiple times. Also came across very few sick people sneezing and coughing in the bus and train. Then there’s always one or two loud speakers once a while talking loudly in the train for everyone to hear, not sure why they think their stories are worth sharing.
Some of the above you probably can do something about, like putting on a mask or noise canceling earphones, others are truly beyond your control. Up to the individual if cheap/free public transport is a good choice.
The reason people don't catch it is our suburbs are too dispersed and it doesn't come frequently enough. The price doesn't really have much to do with it (unless your commute is from the fringe to the city)
Buses are free in Melbourne year round. I’d say only about half of the people that get on actually tap on. Bus drivers are instructed not to hassle anyone to pay as the risk to their safety isn’t worth it.
Notice that too - actually surprised there isn't more ticket inspector enforcement - feels like easy pickings as they can jump on at both doors and block any runners
My problem on the bus in Darwin were the smells. And actually not something specific for Darwin only, as soon as the weather gets warmer from time to time you bump into smelly people on public transport Australia wide.
![[NT] Free Bus Travel (Alice Springs, Darwin, Casuarina, Palmerston) until 30 September @ Northern Territory Government](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/71/863971.jpg?h=7f206a97)
If you've ever gotten on a bus in Darwin you'll understand why this isn't the deal people think it might be