Plans have been announced by Labor today that will see all school children in the Hunter region receive free public transport across the Opal network.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington joined state Opposition leader Michael Daley at Medowie to discuss the policy with local families.
If Labor is successful at the March election, the policy will put an end to all charges on buses, trains, ferries and trams for children under 16 years of age, or while they remain in school.
"We're going to make it really simple, if your child is at school their travel on the Opal network will be free all year round," said Michael Daley.
"Instead of wasting billions of dollars knocking down and rebuilding stadiums in Sydney, we're going to prioritise local schools and hospitals, and we're going to make public transport free for kids in the Hunter."
Currently, free travel is limited to a journey to and from school if a student lives within a set distance from their school.
This boundary policy means some students are forced to walk kilometres to reach their school.
"We've got families doing it tough," said Kate Washington.
"The cost of living pressures are really biting in communities like this one here in Medowie and across Port Stephens, and across the Hunter."
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| Labor Leader Michael Daley and Ports Stephens MP Kate Washington chat to parents and children from Medowie Public School |
