NSW school students will be offered unlimited free travel on all public transport if Labor wins the next state election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's Michael Daley's first policy announcement since he was elected party leader at a caucus meeting on Saturday after Luke Foley resigned over sexual harassment allegations.
Under the policy, children under 16 or still at school won't have to pay any fare on the Opal network - including buses, trains and ferries - seven days a week.
"This is a measure that will directly help families, it will make life easier for families in the suburbs right across NSW," Mr Daley told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
Free bus and train travel will also encourage children to use public transport more and ease congestion on Sydney's already clogged roads, he said.
Labor claims the program would cost about $44 million.
The promise was welcomed by the NSW Transport Workers' and Rail Tram and Bus unions, saying it will encourage more people to use public transport and take cars off the road.
"For a family of three coming into Sydney city from the western suburbs, it can cost around $56 just in travel costs, so this will make a huge difference," RTBU national secretary Bob Nanva said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
