Public buses will remain free until June next year.
Logistics Minister Bill Yan said the extension was because technical problems disrupted fare collection and passenger data on about a quarter of bus services.
Conversely, the former Labor government said it had scrapped fares for three months because it was “good for tourism”.
On June 26 this year, in a move he also said would be “good for Territorians” and make buses run on time, then-logistics minister Joel Bowden – who lost his seat at the August 24 Territory election – said bus fares in in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Spring would be waived from July 1 to September 30.
On Wednesday Mr Yan said free services would be extended until June 30 because of persistent technical problems with the bus ticketing system.
He said the current system was unreliable and outdated, and that parts of it had been declared to be at “end-of-life” as far back as 2020.
Mr Yan said the decision was made as part of a broader review into the long term future of the bus ticketing system, which he said had been plagued by failures, revenue loss and safety concerns.
“Despite the Department of Infrastructure’s efforts to replace ticketing machines in October 2022, ongoing technical problems continue to disrupt fare collection and passenger data on up to 25 per cent of bus services,” he said.
“Revenue losses and safety concerns are two of the major issues plaguing our public transport because of the former government’s failure to properly implement a modern, efficient public transport system.
“This measure will ease the pressure on drivers and security staff, who have reported a dramatic reduction in anti-social behaviour during periods of free travel, highlighting the effectiveness of removing fare-related confrontations.
“Alternative approaches are being explored, including a potential overhaul of the entire fare structure and improved technology for passenger tracking and data management while keeping the focus on making informed decisions that prioritise safety, reliability, and long-term financial sustainability.
“Over the past year, thanks to the previous incompetent Labor government, the Northern Territory has lost about $1.1 million in revenue due to faulty machines and fare-related issues,” he said.
Last month a driver was hospitalised after being repeatedly kicked in the head by a passenger while he was driving a bus on the Stuart Highway at Pinelands.
That incident prompted Transport Workers Union NT branch secretary Sam McIntosh to say upgraded driver protection screens needed to be immediately installed on all Darwin buses.
Mr Yan told the NT News that 17 of 79 Darwin buses had screens installed and he expected the remainder would be completed by the end of the year.
When making the former government’s announcement about free buses Mr Bowden bizarrely tied it in with Territory Day but did not give a specific reason for why it was happening.
“From the first of July – Territory Day – all those people going down to Mindil Beach to watch the crackers go off, they’ll be able to travel for free, and then for the next three months,” Mr Bowden said.
“So it’s going to be good for Territorians, its going to be good for travellers, and it’s going to be really good for our timetable; the bus drivers won’t have the impost of having to ask for money.”
Full fare bus tickets are supposed to cost $3, or $1 at the concessional rate, and are valid for three hours. A daily ticket is priced at $7 for a full fare or $2 at the concessional rate.
Mr Yan said there were 3.5 million passengers annually on the public bus network.
Good for tourism, perfect for the risk seeking tourist looking for violence and abuse while the occasional security person sits at the front of the bus playing games on their phones.
Geez, my 22 years in the NT and still freaking immature government’s and bureaucrats.
“Public buses will remain free until June next year.”
How is the Fiscal Management of the Territorys Debt and its much smaller economy going?