Analysis: How much Queenslanders will save on 50c public transport fares

We’ve crunched the numbers to find out how much everyday Queenslanders are saving thanks to 50c fares, and for some it’s enough for an annual European holiday or new car.

We’ve crunched the numbers to work out how much everyday Queenslanders are saving thanks to 50c fares.

• Video: What you think of 50c fares

Commuters travelling into Brisbane City are saving anywhere between $2000 and $10,000 a year by taking advantage of 50c fares, but not all Queenslanders are reaping the rewards.

Introduced as a cost-of-living measure by the former Labor government and now made permanent by the LNP government, the project has already saved Queenslanders thousands of dollars.

The Courier-Mail has calculated how much commuters will save on their journey to and from work, with those travelling from the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and outer Brisbane suburbs into the CBD benefiting the most.

Using price caps prior to the introduction of 50c fares, a commuter travelling on the train from Nambour on the Sunshine Coast to central station in the CBD is saving $28 a day, adding up to $6744 for a whole working year (48 weeks).

Brisbane commuters taking advantage of the 50c fares, which started in August last year. Picture: John Gass

For those who commute from Gympie into Brisbane each day – about 145km – a whopping $10,069 will be saved – or over $20,000 for couples – going from $42.96 a day to $1.

That money for many could be invested into anything from extra coffees during the week to an overseas holiday to Europe.

Gold Coast residents – with the light rail, train and bus service all under the scheme – could save $6744 a year if travelling from Varsity Lakes and $5260 from Robina.

James Cook University adjunct professor and economist Colin Dwyer said 50c fares were taking pressure off the everyday Queenslander with many able to invest their money elsewhere.

“In a year, it looks like around about $2000 saved (in Brisbane) and if you have two people in a household, then that looks like it could be up to $4000,” he said.

“So South East Queenslanders stand to benefit the most.”

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg announcing the introduction of permanent 50 cent fares. Picture: Richard Walker

The scheme is projected to cost $1.5bn across the next four years as the six-month trial becomes permanent, but Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said this would be directed towards financial relief and improved traffic flow for motorists.

Mr Dwyer however, said those living beyond Gympie were not seeing the same benefits.

“Now if you live north of Gympie, then you don’t have access to commuter trains, nor light rail, and you don’t have access to subsidised ferries, so it’s essentially the bus network,” Mr Dwyer said.

“So it is quite focused on that SEQ network, and one of the things that I would like to see happen is, how do we compensate those people in North Queensland for not having access to an adequate transport network.”

Mr Dwyer said interstate and overseas visitors were likely benefit more from 50c fares than North Queenslanders.

Former premier Steven Miles when the 50c fares were originally announced. Picture: Annette Dew

“Not only is it benefiting a small amount of Queenslanders, but the data suggests that international and interstate tourists are getting more benefit than people north of Gympie,” he said.

Sydney commuters pay at minimum $8.40 a day to get to work and for those who live more than 65km out of the CBD, that increases to more than $20 a day.

Melbourne residents see somewhat similar fares, costing anywhere from $11 to $22 a day depending on the fare zone.

Springfield commuter Nikki Rochford said having the extra savings goes a long way.

“Having an extra $40 a week – I get paid monthly, so that’s even a bigger sort of saving when you look at it across the month,” Ms Rochford said.

“I mean basically, the savings across the month would equal a week’s groceries when we put it in that kind of context.”

Sue Silcox said she was saving at least $50 a week.

“That can go towards other bills and the rest of our lives,” Ms Silcox said.