Free public transport trial across Australia for 12 months would cost $2.2bn, Greens say

The Greens say a 12-month trial of free public transport fares would provide cost-of-living relief while significantly reducing carbon emissions. Photograph: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

Giving all Australians access to free public transport for one year would cost the federal budget $2.2bn, according to an independent costing of the Greens’ proposal.

The Greens’ transport spokeswoman, Elizabeth Watson-Brown, said a 12-month trial of free fares would provide cost-of-living relief while significantly reducing carbon emissions.