Public transport fees across Queensland have been slashed in a six-month trial that kicks off on Monday 5 August.
All Translink public transport services – including train, bus, tram, on demand transport and ferry – right around the state will now have a flat 50 cent fare, no matter how far commuters travel.
It’s expected the initiative will save commuters $150 million over the six-month trial. The major cost of living initiative is part of an over $11 billion package of savings and concessions delivered by the Queensland Government.
It builds on $1,000 energy bill rebates for every Queensland household and a 20 per cent cut to rego.
Airtrain fares will also be cut in half from today, down to $10.95 for go card and Smart Ticketing users and $11 for paper ticket customers.
Airtrain’s Weekly Worker Ticket will reduce from $43 to $21.50, and the workers Book of 20 tickets will reduce from $120 to $60.
More Queenslanders travelling by public transport is also expected to help bust congestion, particularly across the South East.
Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rail, Translink and Brisbane City Council will be working closely over the six monthsix-month trial to monitor the impacts onboard and on the state’s roads.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said, “It’s always struck me that we charge the people who travel the furthest the most, when those are likely the people who can least afford it.
“And, those are the long-distance travellers that we want to get off our busy roads, like the M1 and Bruce Highway.
“It’s my hope that because of my government’s nation leading 50 cent fares we can recover to those pre-COVID patronage levels, while also reducing congestion and creating some new travel habits.”
Queensland Transport Minister Bart Mellish said, “There is capacity on the public transport network, with current patronage sitting at around 87 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
“Translink, TMR and Queensland Rail have been working closely with all of our public transport providers, doing everything they can to make this trial run smoothly.”
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