‘As close to free as you can get’: All public transport slashed to 50c flat rate

In his most significant move since becoming Premier, Steven Miles is slashing the cost of all Translink public transport services across the state in bid to ease gridlock and cost-of-living pressures.

• Explainer: What you need to know

Public transport fares will be slashed to just 50c under a major pre-election trial aimed at easing traffic gridlock and stemming cost-of-living pressures for Queenslanders.

In his most significant announcement since becoming Premier, Steven Miles will on Sunday reveal the cost of all Translink public transport services in the state will be slashed to 50c from August 5 – no matter how far people travel.

Commuters are expected to save thousands of dollars through the move – which will include buses, trains, CityCats and the Gold Coast light rail – and be run as a six-month trial.

The move is aimed at unclogging the South East’s congested roads by significantly boosting public transport patronage, which remains 13 per cent below pre-Covid-19 levels.

The significant measure will cost about $150m and be contained in Treasurer Cameron Dick’s June budget. Mr Miles (left) said the measure would reduce traffic and help household finances and make public transport “as close to free as you can get”.

Premier Steven Miles at the Mango Hill Train Station. Pic: Annette Dew.

“For someone catching the train to work in Brisbane from … Mango Hill it costs $96 a week,” he said.

“And if you drive to work, you’re stuck in peak-hour traffic every day and paying a lot more than that. It’s why I’m making all public transport fares a flat 50c – no matter where you live, your mode of travel, or how far you go.”

Mr Miles said the same Mango Hill to city trip would cost $5 a week under the fares.

“I expect this will save Queenslanders thousands of dollars over six months, and encourage more people to catch our fast, frequent and 50c public transport,” he said.

If re-elected in October, the government will re-evaluate the measure in early 2025.

Mr Dick used a budget update in December to announce public transport fare increases would be frozen. Now, he will spend $150 min the June 11 budget to slash fares as part of major cost-of-living relief that will contribute to a $3bn deficit.

Tour of the Brisbane Metro tunnel. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Dick said the new measure would make public transport “affordable and attractive” to Queenslanders.

“Fifty cent fares will mean savings you can see every day,” he said. “We hope they will make a lot more people in the South East consider using public transport for their daily commute, which reduces congestion for everyone.”

The 50c fare will also apply to concession card holders on all Translink services contracted by the government.

It will not apply to privately operated transport services.

While the 50c fare won’t apply to the Airtrain, it is understood Transport Minister Bart Mellish will soon announce the outcome of his talks with the company to improve public transport to the domestic and international terminals.

Mr Miles last week blamed record-high international migration to Queensland for contributing to worsening traffic.

EXAMPLES

*Train from Goodna to Brisbane CBD five days per week: Usually $39.06, down to $5.

Savings: $817.44 over six months

*Train from Robina to Bowen Hills four days per week: Usually $91.68 per week, down to $4.

Savings: $2104.32 over six months

Originally published as ‘As close to free as you can get’: All public transport slashed to 50c flat rate