Transport savings could add up for Queenslanders with 50 cent fares

Savvy Queenslanders are set to reap the rewards from the state government’s six-month trial of cheap transport tickets. SEE THE FIGURES

Lachlan Harris, potentially be saving north of $3,000 per year by opting for the 50c fares instead of driving to work, Gaythorne Station, Thursday 1st July - Photo Steve Pohlner

• Your complete guide to 50c fares

Savvy Queenslanders stand to save more than $7800 during the state government’s 50c public transport trial.

From tomorrow, trips on TransLink services across the state will be slashed to just 50c – no matter how far you travel.

While there will be big savings alone in trip costs, the average Queenslander who ditches their car for public transport couldexpect to save more than $1200 on fuel over the six-month trial period and could also slash their car insurance costs by upto $300.

But it’s parking where the biggest savings may come into play. An analysis done by The Sunday Mail of a worker travellingfrom Zone 2 – the outer Brisbane suburbs – to the Brisbane CBD on a train five days a week would be paying just $5 for alltheir trips, down from $39 a week, and recoup more than $817 over the six months.

Compare the Market found that same worker would save $55 a week on fuel, based on current costs.

And assuming the worker doesn’t have a parking spot and needs to jag street parking most days at $6/hour over nine hours,they could expect to save a massive $5500 over the six-month period.

Compare the Market economic director David Koch said motorists who are using public transport more should make sure theircar insurance premiums were updated to reflect how many kilometres they were clocking.

Kate Bowen at Petrie railway station, is really excited to start taking advantage of 50 cent fares to help her get around Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

“As a general rule, the more you drive your car, the higher the premium because you’re more at risk of an accident when youspend more time on the road,” Mr Koch said.

“But if you’re now driving less because you’ll be making use of Queensland’s cheap public transport, you could save even moreby cashing in on insurers’ low-kilometre discounts.”

Under our scenario, the worker could save upwards of $300 simply by reducing the kilometres travelled from 18000km/year to5000km/year.

Brisbane resident Lachlan Harris currently drives to work four times a week. He said he will save almost $65 a week on faresalone under the trial.

“It’s slightly more inconvenient because it takes from another 15 minutes each direction, but now that the savings are somuch it’s worth that slightly longer commute,” he said.

“I think now that we’re driving less, we’ll try to reduce our insurance costs as well and just have one car between the twoof us.”

Kate Bowen, 20, said the incentive had reinforced her decision to study. She takes the train to South Bank three times aweek to go to TAFE, where she’s studying mental health. It’s been costing her $18 every week to get there.

“That becomes pretty expensive for me as I am only working casually as a support worker,” she said.

“I love taking public transport but it was becoming cheaper for me to drive everywhere. To go to the shops was a $6 trip onthe train, which adds up.”

Ms Bowen said she was eager to make the most of the trial and was planning to head to the Brisbane CBD more to catch up withfriends – a $10 trip by train typically.

“It is such a great incentive and now I would go out of my way to use public transport to go everywhere,” she said.