The South Australian Government will delay planned increases to metroCARD public transport fares, citing ongoing uncertainty in global fuel markets linked to conflict in the Middle East and continuing pressure on household budgets.
Under the decision, annual fare indexation due to begin on 1 July will be paused for three months, with metroCARD fares remaining at current 2025 to 2026 levels until at least 1 October 2026. The government says it will review the situation later in the year before deciding whether to apply the standard 3.3 per cent increase.
The move comes as South Australians continue to face higher living costs across housing, groceries and energy, while fuel prices remain sensitive to international developments. Although petrol prices have eased from earlier peaks this year, the government said uncertainty linked to the conflict involving Iran had influenced the decision to delay fare increases for commuters using Adelaide’s public transport network.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the government recognised that many households were under financial strain and argued the temporary freeze would provide some relief for regular commuters.
He said annual adjustments to government fees and charges were generally tied to inflation and reflected the rising cost of delivering services, though this year’s increases had been kept below the national inflation rate of 4.6 per cent.
The broader schedule of fees and charges will still rise from 1 July. Registration costs for a four cylinder vehicle will increase by 3.4 per cent, taking the annual cost to $693.52, including compulsory third party insurance. Metropolitan class 1 CTP premiums will rise from $264.31 to $274.73.
The government also pointed to changes introduced under the competitive CTP insurance system, which was legislated in 2017 and implemented in 2019. According to the government, owners of an average four cylinder metropolitan vehicle will still be paying less than they were before the current insurance model began.
While the temporary fare freeze has been welcomed by some commuters, the broader increases to registration and other charges are still likely to add pressure for households already managing rising expenses. Public transport advocates have previously argued that keeping fares stable can encourage greater use of buses, trains and trams, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.
The government has left open the possibility of extending the fare pause beyond October if instability in fuel markets continues.
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