University students to lose public transport concessions because they’re studying externally – Translink

The cost of transport is set to double for cash-strapped university students who say they have been blindsided by a decision made by Translink because they’re studying externally, even though many have been forced into it.

Cash-strapped university students say they have been blindsided by Translink’s decision to axe their public transport fee concessions because they’re studying externally instead of on campus during COVID-19

TransLink has this week sent a wave of text messages to students at Queensland’s premier universities declaring their ‘tertiary fares … have expired as you are not studying on campus’.

However, affected students say their external enrolment was not a choice.

Coronavirus: Qld universities to get $150m bailout

Free speech under fire at University of Queensland again

“I was very much forced into it,” UQ honours student Oliver Corfield said.

“I didn’t have options for flexible delivery or anything internal, which (wasn’t) a problem’ – until concession fees were cancelled on Monday.

“14 days, it’s given us, before we’re onto full fares,” which are double to the price of student fares.

“My pay hasn’t increased or anything … it’s just less affordable.”

Hailey Rufus enrolled externally at UQ this semester, due to contagion concerns around her lengthy commute to campus.

Students face losing their concession fares because Translink loophole doesn't grant cheaper fares to external students. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

“It seemed ridiculous to put myself at risk on public transport for 4 hours a day, minimum two days a week for two 50-minute classes.”

Her tertiary concession eligibility was revoked this week despite one of her three courses only being available externally.

“I’m part of the student committee … and will have to attend on campus meetings a couple times a month, plus go in for student services like counselling or academic advisory meetings,” she said.

Ciara Hambridge-Chambers has been unable to access tertiary concession fares despite enrolling as a full-time student after studying part-time last semester.

“Every class was listed as external only. Because I was forced into fully external study, I now can’t re-access concession fares,” she told the Courier Mail.

“I was keen to get my concession fares back to save money travelling to and from work.”

Maiwar MP Michael Berkman is calling on the state government to ‘urgently intervene to broaden the eligibility criteria’ claiming the ‘arbitrary distinction between internal and external students’ an ‘irresponsible blow’ to students.

A TransLink spokesman this morning claimed ‘any student’ eligible for concession fares who is now studying externally ‘through no fault of their own … is continuing to receive tertiary fares’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

“Anyone studying full-time has less opportunities to work in paid employment, so their financial capacity is lower,” he said.

“Student fare discounts (are) not specifically about facilitating affordable travel to a student’s actual tertiary institution.”

A TransLink spokesman this morning claimed ‘any student’ eligible for concession fares who is now studying externally ‘through no fault of their own … is continuing to receive tertiary fares’.

“Any student who believes they should be receiving tertiary concession fares to contact their student administration to discuss their enrolment status as it is the institution who determines eligibility,” the spokesman said.

QUT students learning remotely ‘due to COVID-19’ are classified as ‘internal’ students, while Griffith students enrolment status will not be impacted by COVID changes – the universities today confirmed.

The Courier Mail understands that concession fees will not be waived for high school students who are forced to, or chose to, learn remotely amid the pandemic.

Originally published as University students to lose public transport concessions because they’re studying externally – Translink