The editor: Fare discounts a short-term sugar hit

Another day, another mammoth cost-of-living move by the state government. But while the latest fare cuts will be welcomed by Queensland, the state government is yet to fix the broader problem with the Airtrain service.

Another day, another mammoth cost-of-living move by the state government.

That’s good news for Queenslanders feeling the pinch, at least in the short term. And you can expect more to come as both sides of politics battle it out until the state election.

We reveal today the government will subsidise cut-price Airtrain fares.

Travellers using the service from Central Station to the Airport will pay just $10.95 instead of $21.90, with airport workers also receiving a 50 per cent discount, cutting prices down from $43 to $21.50 for weekly tickets and $120 down to $60 for a book of 20 tickets.

Cynics will note that the measure is a six-month deal which starts in August. What a coincidence, just in time for the state election.

While this cost relief will be welcomed by Queensland, the state government is yet to fix the broader problem with the Airtrain service.

It is locked up in a sluggish 35-year contract which is providing terrible value for Queenslanders.

Instead of getting out of the contract – which would be an exorbitant cost – the state government has instead opted to pay the Airtrain owners a sum to subsidise fares for six months.

An Airtrain and passengers arrives at the domestic airport, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

The government says it will continue to work on a longer term solution which is critical as Queensland heads towards the Olympics.

Last year, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King wrote to Brisbane Airport Corporation, Brisbane City Council and the state government outlining concerns about public transport access to the airport ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

“As you would be aware, carparking alone will not be sufficient to cope with increased demand for access to Brisbane Airport over coming years,” she said at the time.

“It will be essential that public transport to the airport, particularly the rail line, operate effectively to ensure demand can be met.”

Airtrain owners, Britain’s Universities Superannuation Scheme, currently hold a monopoly on public transport services to and from Brisbane Airport as part of a controversial acquisition believed to be worth more than $100m.

The monopoly, which sees high-priced trains run only every 15 minutes in peak times, does not serve a modern Brisbane, let alone an Olympic city.

On this front, there is still much work to do.

But in the meantime, Queenslanders can expect more cost-of-living sugar hits right around election time.

Today’s announcement comes on top of a promise last week to slash other public transport fares to a flat rate of 50c – also just for six months.

Last month, $1000 energy rebates were splashed around.

Polls show Steven Miles has his work cut out for him, with David Crisafulli a strong contender to win back government for the LNP.

On the hustings, cost of living has become the primary issue that’s confronting leaders in their travels.

But each cost-of-living measure comes with the risk of being labelled inflationary and conspiring to delay interest rate cuts. This, Miles calculates, is a risk worth taking.

Voters will deliver their verdict in October.

Originally published as The editor: Fare discounts a short-term sugar hit