South Australian families have saved nearly $2.5 million on public transport costs since the State Government reduced the price of the Student 28-Day pass to $10, according to new Adelaide Metro figures.
The data shows more than five million trips have been taken using the discounted pass since the change came into effect on 1 July 2025. The pass, which previously cost $28.60, now works out to around 25 cents per trip for students using buses, trains and trams across the Adelaide Metro network.
The lower fare has coincided with a rise in student use of public transport. Adelaide Metro reports that trips made with the Student 28-Day pass have more than doubled over the past year, while overall student travel across the network has increased by almost nine per cent.
The figures suggest the reduced fare has helped ease transport costs for families already relying on public transport, while also encouraging more students to use the network for their daily journeys.
The pass became easier to access in October 2025 when Adelaide Metro added 28-day ticket options to its Buy & Go app. The app allows passengers to purchase tickets in advance, store them digitally and activate them when needed. Unused tickets remain valid for up to 12 months.
More than 31,000 single-trip student tickets were sold through the Buy & Go app in May this year, although Adelaide Metro is encouraging regular users to consider the 28-day pass as a more economical option.
Transport Minister Joe Szakacs said the results reflected strong uptake of the discounted fare and highlighted its role in helping families manage household expenses.
The policy forms part of the South Australian Government’s broader cost-of-living measures, with the latest figures pointing to growing use of public transport among school-aged passengers since the fare reduction was introduced.
Information on fares and ticket options is available through Adelaide Metro.
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