Two Australian states have announced free public transport to encourage people to avoid driving as fuel prices continue to rise.
Victoria, home to Melbourne, will offer free public transport throughout April, while Tasmania has said commuters will not need to pay fares until the end of June. Other state governments have not adopted similar measures.
The announcement comes as the federal government introduced steps to reduce pressure on motorists. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the fuel excise tax will be cut by 26.3 cents per litre for petrol and diesel for three months. The reduction is expected to save drivers between about A$10 and A$20 per tank.
Fuel prices have increased sharply following the escalation of the US-Israel war with Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Around 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas passes through this waterway, and the disruption has affected global fuel supply.
The situation has led governments in different countries to take measures to conserve fuel. In Australia, authorities have also sought to reassure motorists amid reports of panic buying and fuel shortages at petrol stations.
