How 2026 will start sweet, but sting later, for Victorians
The lure of free public transport will have many celebrating the new year. But Victorians are set to be hit with a slew of price hikes and new laws in 2026.
Though January will start with a few sweeteners for Victorians, 2026 won’t be without its stings as the year continues.
From public transport and parking hikes to protective anti-hate laws, here are all the changes to be across going into the new year.
Myki prices will be going up on New Year’s Day but there is a sweetener for families. Credit: Jason Robins
What will be free?
Throughout January, travel on public transport will be free for everyone on weekends, an announcement made following the Metro Tunnel opening in November.
Weekend tolls on the West Gate Tunnel will also be waived on weekends in January.
Longer term, Victorian children aged under 18 and using a youth myki card will enjoy free public transport year round. The change will save families up to $755 a child per year (the cost of an annual pass).
Victorian seniors cardholders will also be able to travel for free on weekends across the state from Thursday.
Myki fares to increase
Daily public transport fares will increase by 40¢, to $11.40 for full-fare travellers and $5.70 for concession cardholders, across metropolitan and regional networks. On weekends and public holidays, the capped daily fares will increase to $8 and $4 respectively.
For a commuter using public transport five days a week, the price hike will add more than $100 a year to their travel bill.
The price of regional town bus fares will stay the same, costing $3 for a single trip and $6 daily.
Tolls
From January 1, the maximum CityLink toll for a single car trip will climb from $12.25 to $12.38.
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The West Gate Tunnel toll point will rise by 4¢ to $4.13 for cars, while the morning peak-hour charge will jump to $6.61.
This means motorists wanting to enter the city using the tunnel during a weekday morning peak will now be charged $10.74.
A 24-hour pass to use both the West Gate Tunnel and CityLink will be $38.52 for cars and $70.03 for utes and vans.
Congestion levy increase
The annual levy on car parking spaces in Melbourne’s CBD and surrounding suburbs will increase by more than 70 per cent from January 1, 2026.