IF you’re looking to travel on the cheap then public transport could be the way to go.

Transdev bus drivers are set to offer fare-free rides on the Transperth services it is contracted to operate from Wednesday until Friday, with the fight over EBA negotiations kicking up a level.

As part of the industrial action, drivers won’t accept cash fares or enforce tagging on.

Operating under contract with the State Government, Transdev supplies drivers to run general Transperth bus services in the Fremantle, Rockingham, Mandurah and Joondalup regions

Drivers walked off the job earlier this month, deciding to act after their calls for an annual three per cent pay rise, a one per cent boost to superannuation, an extra week of annual leave and secure job pathways went unanswered.

Transport Workers Union WA branch secretary Tim Dawson said their latest move was about ensuring Transdev drivers were on an equal footing with other contractors operating Transperth bus services.

“Our message to the public who catch a Transdev bus is to make the most of fare free days; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” he said.

“Fare-free days mean our drivers will not take cash fares and will not enforce tagging on when people catch the bus.

“This fight will continue until Transdev and the Puplic Transport Authority are reasonable and give our drivers a fair go.”

Transdev managing director Ben Smith said said only about a quarter of its 1000 drivers had taken part in industrial action so far and warned not all will be offering fare-free journeys over the coming three days.

“It’s disappointing the TWU is continuing to put its energy into industrial action rather than on finalising a new enterprise agreement for our drivers,” he said. “We are calling on the TWU to commit to further talks at the Fair Work Commission to resolve the outstanding issues as quickly as possible and with as little impact and cost to the community.”

The TWU said fare-free days would likely continue next week between Wednesday and Friday.

In a newsletter to Transperth passengers the PTA said most would be expected to pay a fare when travelling.

“The majority of bus services as well as train services are unaffected so passengers should purchase a cash ticket or tag on as normal on these services,” the authority said.

“Primary and secondary students are reminded that access to the 70 cent student fare is only available by tagging on to the SmartRider system.

“If paying cash, students must purchase the appropriate zonal concession ticket, as well as provide their SmartRider card as proof of concession.”

The following routes may be affected:

Northern Suburbs

Routes 352, 354, 365, 370, 372, 384, 385, 386, 389, 390, 391, 450, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 473, 474, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 490, 491 and 970.

Southern Suburbs

Routes 111, 114, 115, 148, 150, 158, 160, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 520, 522, 525, 526, 530, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 540, 541, 542, 543, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 584, 586, 587, 588, 589, 591, 592, 593, 594, 597, 598, 600, 604, 605 and 910.