Coronavirus Qld: Brisbane buses, ferries move to contactless payment

From today there will be big changes to how Brisbane commuters use public transport, in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

ONLY prepaid Go Cards will be accepted on Brisbane’s buses and CityCats from today, in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Passengers will have to board buses through the rear doors, and the front passenger seat will also be cordoned off to protect drivers under new safety requirements.

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Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said public transport was safe to use, but he also wanted to boost commuter confidence and ensure drivers and passengers were protected.

As part of the council’s contingency plan for bus services, it may revert to weekend schedules if there is a shortage of staff.

Limits may be imposed on passenger numbers for CityCats and bus services, but only on the advice of Queensland Health.

Cr Schrinner said there had been a 36 per cent drop in bus patronage the past week, year-on-year, in the number of people catching buses compared to the same time last year.

“Our bus services are still running to their usual schedule and there’s plenty of space on board,” he said.

“We will continue to take advice from Queensland Health on matters relating to the operation of essential services and have planned for impacts to staffing, scheduling and services.”

The new Go Card and boarding rules will apply from the first services today.