Airtrain fares slashed by 50 per cent for six months

Just days after fares on TransLink services were slashed to 50c, passengers using Brisbane’s often derided Airtrain have been delivered a major cut of their own for the next six months.

• Editor’s view: Doesn’t fix bigger issue

Travellers heading to Brisbane Airport on the Airtrain will receive a 50 per cent ticket discount for six months from August as part of the government’s latest transport trial to help relieve cost of living pressures.

Under a new deal cut between the government and Airtrain operators, tickets for services between Central Station and Brisbane Airport will cost just $10.95 instead of $21.90, with worker prices cut down from $43 to $21.50 for weekly tickets and $120 down to $60 for a book of 20 tickets.

Airtrain owners Britain’s Universities Superannuation Scheme currently hold a monopoly on public transport services to and from Brisbane Airport as part of a controversial acquisition believed to be worth more than $100m which prevents Brisbane City Council or TransLink from running services to Airport terminals until 2036.

The government has been under sustained pressure, including from Canberra, to find a way to unpick the 35-year contract amid grave concerns that the monopoly will leave Brisbane short of suitable airport transport options in the 2032 games.

Today’s announcement will be seen as a short term papering over of the problem, but Transport Minister Bart Mellish insisted he was continuing to look for a longer term solution.

He said the 35-year contract made under the Borbidge LNP government had cost Queenslanders and would be difficult to undo.

An Airtrain and passengers arrives at the domestic airport, Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

“Former Queensland Liberal Deputy Premier Joan Sheldon said the Airtrain CityLink was ‘definitely, totally, all the Coalition Government’s initiative. I actually negotiated that myself.’

“We will keep working on a long-term solution for public transport to the airport, to provide the best value for money for Queenslanders.”

It is understood the consortium of owners have requested a buyout price that includes money lost on the project over the contract duration, limiting the state government’s ability to reclaim the service.

The Courier-Mail understands the asking price is significant.

The state government has instead paid an undisclosed amount of money to AirTrain to have the fares halved.

Premier Steven Miles said the ticket deal would add to his congestion-busting plan after the government announced a separate six-month 50c fare deal for all TransLink services last week.

“We are leading the nation in delivering cost of living relief initiatives and we know this will provide further help to commuters,” he said.

“There has never been a better time to leave the car and the stress of airport parking behind and enjoy the half-price train trip instead.”

The government has also committed to making Airtrain tickets available at Central Station to allow the 20,000 airport staff the ability to top up their travel at either end of their trip.

Half price Airtrain tickets will become available from August 5.