A Brisbane commuter train pulls into Sandgate station. Picture: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Queensland’s 50 cent rail, bus and ferry fares are to become permanent across the TransLink network, the state government says.
The government said the lower fares, introduced by the previous government, saved commuters more than $110 million.
The fares apply to South-East Queensland (SEQ) bus, train, tram and ferry services, as well as TransLink urban bus networks.
Buses, trains, trams and ferries in SEQ and regional bus operators all reported an increase in passenger numbers.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg praised the decision to retain the low fares.
“This is a great day for Queenslanders with the cheapest public transport fares in the state’s modern history here to stay,” he said.
“The increased public transport patronage across all modes while Queenslanders have kept more than $110 million in their pockets.”
According to the new government, the introduction of the new fares for SEQ public transport from August 5 to October 31 saw passenger numbers rise 5.1 per cent on the same period pre-COVID.
The number of trips from Monday, August 5, and Sunday, August 11, was up over 11 per cent on the week before 50 cent fares started.
Government says that SEQ patronage across all modes on the weekend of August 17-18 was, for the first time, over 700,000 trips, one of the busiest ever weekends on the network.
According to government:
- Public transport users saved more than $100m since the introduction of 50 cent fares on the same number of trips made under the previous fare structure.
- Patronage increased on all modes of SEQ public transport between August 5 and October 31;
- Bus: passenger numbers up 14.3 per cent on the same period in 2023;
- Train: up 17.9 per cent on 2023.
- Light rail (Gold Coast): Up 22.1 per cent on 2023.
- Ferries (Brisbane River and Southern Moreton Bay Islands): Up 43.9 per cent on 2023.
- SEQ (all modes): up 16.7 per cent on 2023.
