50 cent fares have saved Queenslanders $423 million in 12 months and sparked a 21% increase in public transport use, the state government says.
The cheap fares scheme was started by the previous Labor state government but the current LNP state government made the scheme permanent last year.
Public transport passengers numbers surged 22% in Brisbane, 20% on the Gold Coast, 20% on the Sunshine Coast and 24% in Moreton Bay amid 200 million trips in the last 12 months.
The government says Queenslanders made more than 54 million train trips, more than 122 million bus trips, and more than 14 million tram trips under the scheme.
It says that a family of four living in Caboolture with one parent commuting to the city for work and two children taking the bus to school are saving more than $3500 a year. A worker travelling by train from the Gold Coast to Brisbane four days a week will save more than $4200 a year.
50 CENT RELIEF
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg says “the Permanent 50 Cent Fares are relief you can rely on; they’re permanent cost of living support for Queenslanders”.
The Gympie LGA recorded the largest increase in patronage with a 58% uptake on pre-discount travel; 123 new weekly bus trips were added late last year, including two new bus routes.
Moreton Bay had the second largest increase with 24% and Noosa was third with 23%.
Other south-east Queensland LGA patronage increases were Brisbane 22%, Gold Coast 20%, Ipswich 18%, Logan 21%, Redland 14% and Sunshine Coast 20%
Meanwhile, the state government is to add an extra 214 weekly bus services to better connect Logan Hospital, Griffith University, Loganlea TAFE and four new stops in Bahrs Scrub.
The new services are due to start from February 23.
Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the new services would be welcomed.
“The fastest growing city in Queensland needs the fastest growing public transport network to support our population as more people choose Logan as the place to raise their family,” he says.
“Locals can now save time and money by hopping on a 50 cent bus to get to work, school and fun activities, beating traffic congestion.”
Operator Logan Coaches has been appointed by government to deliver a new on demand service for Yarabilba to start later this year.
Queenslanders can plan their journey using the Translink app, by visiting translink.com.au, or by calling 13 12 30.
MORE QLD BUS NEWS: More than 1100 new services added to Ipswich network
