By William Hui
October’s Victorian Seniors Festival, themed “Connect, Create, Celebrate”, has come to an end. Across Wyndham and other communities, older Victorians have taken the opportunity to connect with others, explore new places and participate in community activities.
But now that the celebrations are over, one important question remains: why should free public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders be limited to a few days when the need for mobility continues throughout the year?
During the 2026 Victorian Seniors Festival, free public transport was available from 3 to 11 October. Although advertised as nine days of free travel, four of those days fell on weekends, when free travel was already available under existing arrangements. This meant seniors received only five additional weekdays of free travel.
If the festival is intended to celebrate seniors throughout October, why was this additional benefit not extended across the entire month?
For older Victorians, public transport is about much more than saving money. It is a lifeline to independence, social connection and participation in everyday life. Seniors need to visit family and friends, attend medical appointments, shop for groceries and remain active in their communities. For those living on fixed retirement incomes, transport costs can influence whether they make a journey at all.
The issue is particularly significant in rapidly growing outer-suburban communities such as the West, where access to convenient and affordable public transport can make a real difference to older residents. For seniors from migrant backgrounds, accessible transport can also help maintain family connections and reduce social isolation.
Victoria can learn from other states. South Australia provides free public transport for eligible Seniors Card holders under its concession arrangements, without requiring them to carry or use a separate public transport card specifically for this concession. Western Australia also offers free off-peak travel for eligible seniors. These examples demonstrate that more generous arrangements are possible.
William Hui, a retired Wyndham resident and senior citizen, has launched a campaign to extend free public transport to cover all 30 days of October during the Victorian Seniors Festival. He has also called on Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning to work towards providing free public transport 365 days a year for Victorian Seniors Card holders, following the South Australian model.
This is not simply a personal request. Victoria has approximately 1.5 million seniors, and their wellbeing matters to their children, grandchildren and wider families. Supporting older residents to remain independent benefits entire households and communities. Policies that help seniors travel more freely can encourage social participation, reduce isolation and strengthen connections between generations.
With the Victorian state election approaching in November, this is the right time for political parties and candidates to explain their positions. Will they support extending free travel throughout the Victorian Seniors Festival? Will they commit to working towards year-round free public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders?
This campaign is not about party politics, nor is it simply about saving a few dollars on a fare. It is about fairness, dignity and respect for the people who have contributed to Victoria throughout their working lives.
The Seniors Festival may be over for another year, but the needs of seniors do not end when October does. Celebrating seniors for a few days is welcome. Supporting their independence every day is what truly counts.
