New CityCat stop, Premier warns ‘use it or lose it’ on 50c fares

Premier Steven Miles has issued a warning on the government’s new 50c public transport fares, as an important new CityCat stop opens in Brisbane.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish with Treasurer Cameron Dick on Sunday. Picture: David Clark

• Explainer: Facts on 50c fares
• Editorial: Real chance for change

Queenslanders must use public transport in the next six months or risk losing cut-price 50c fares, Premier Steven Miles has warned.

Commuters across Queensland will receive 50c fares until February in a major cost-of-living announcement aimed at increasing public transport use and easing congestion.

Mr Miles on Sunday spruiked the announcement as a significant win for Queenslanders, but dismissed questions about how much it would help his government five months out from a state election.

He insisted it was a policy he’d wanted to do for a long time, and denied he had introduced a six-month trial in an attempt to buy votes.

Mr Miles said the trial would create a sense of urgency and make people change their travel habits.

“This is use it or lose it,” he said.

“If this is effective, if this reduces congestion and sees lots of people get back on public transport then obviously we’ll consider making it permanent.

“If it doesn’t work and if people don’t return to public transport then it won’t stack up and it won’t continue.”

Mr Miles said making public transport free would remove the need to tap on and off with a go card and make it difficult for the government to track patronage.

The LNP was quick to support the move, but Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said it was being made by a desperate government.

“Isn’t it interesting ... yes Queenslanders are supportive of the cost of living relief but cynical that it runs out jut after the election,” he said.

“This government will do and say anything to get re-elected.”

Mr Bleijie questioned what additional investment the government would make in public transport services to cope with increased public transport patronage.

“Their reliability and services are not as frequent as what Queenslanders would like – they also have crowded buses already,” he said.

Greens MP Michael Berkman celebrated the policy as a win for the minor party, but said it did not go far enough.

“If Labor was serious about easing the cost of living and tackling congestion, they would just make public transport free,” he said.

“The Greens are threatening Labor and LNP seats, so the government decides to half-heartedly take on Greens’ policies.

“For almost half a decade, high-paid Labor politicians have been telling Queenslanders that public transport could never be free, and now they’ve done a near complete 180.”

Mr Miles denied the policy was aimed at bringing inner-city Green voters back to Labor and attacked Mr Berkman for continuing to “throw rocks”.

“The Greens only ever aspire to be on the crossbenches,” he said.

“They don’t aspire to make real change.”

RACQ managing director David Carter said patronage levels increasing beyond pre-Covid-19 levels could be considered a win.

“We hope it allows us to set up something more permanent that will enable more people use the public transport network particularly around the southeast, get congestion down while the infrastructure catches up on the roads as well, which will take a long time,” he said.

NEW CITYCAT STOP

The popular Howard Smith Wharves will become more accessible from Monday with CityCats to begin making stops at the precinct.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the introduction of the CityCat services aimed to reduce congestion on Brisbane’s roads and provide a sustainable, low-cost way to get to and from Howard Smith Wharves or to and from Fortitude Valley.

“Our council is committed to keeping Brisbane moving and we will continue to enhance Brisbane’s lifestyle and make public transport even better,” he said.

Patrons of Fortitude Valley’s nightlife venues will be able to catch the CityCat home from Howard Smith Wharves until about 11:30pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

The first CityCat service will depart Howard Smith Wharves at 6.10am on Monday.

Originally published as New CityCat stop, Premier warns ‘use it or lose it’ on 50c fares