What you said about making 50c fares in Qld permanent

Queensland’s 50 cent fares are set to become permanent – but readers remain split on the concept. HAVE YOUR SAY

Then Premier Steven Miles and Transport Minister Bart Mellis. Picture: Annette Dew / Premiers office

Queensland’s 50 cent fares are set to become permanent – but readers remain split on the concept.

The costs are projected to reach $1.5bn across the next four years as the six-month trial becomes permanent, but Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said this would be directed towards financial relief and improved traffic flow for motorists.

Mr Mickelberg said the six-month trial had come at a cost of $181m and data within the first half of the period showed the 50 cent fares showed the cost benefits, passenger increases, and alleviated traffic congestion in the southeast.

When the scheme was first promised regional politicians including Katters Australian Party leader Robbie Katter were cynical of the scheme’s benefits to regions.

Mr Mickelberg said the government was looking at the scheme could apply to the rest of the state and claimed public transport usage increased further in regional areas than in the Brisbane Central Business District.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg. Picture: Richard Walker

He said the government wanted to ensure the scheme benefited Queensland in its entirety, and said the benefit would be through congestion.

Readers, though, remain split.

Some said only those in the south of the state are getting benefits, while others claimed the fares should at least be $2 to ease the burden on taxpayers.

However there was some support for the cheap fares, and even some left-field ideas.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

I have an idea

Mark1

Why not $2, still near nothing and it would save the state a fortune.

Michael

This is madness. Even at $2 fares would be very cheap but the cost would be significantly less.

Susan

Why not make it $2 so that the cost to the taxpayer is not so high as most areas get no benefit.

andrew

Still too many getting a free ride and it’s only 50 cents it’s, better the $5-$6 per ride or more, I take the bus everyday if the 60-70% that don't pay and start paying how well the figures would be

Then Queensland Premier Steven Miles at Central Station to launch the 50 cent fares scheme in August 2024. Picture: John Gass

Wider issues

Garth

It’s great for large shopping centres that have an interchange – They are making a packet out of parking.

Andrew

Ditch the travel subsidy and renew the electricity subsidy.

Deborah

I live 2 hours inland from Cairns, we don’t have public transport at all. Our roads are disgusting, and fixing them seems to be extended out. If a tree comes down on the range or a crash happens you have to add so many hours on to go around another way. All the benefits go south.

Barry

It hasn’t made any change to the road congestion on Gympie Road – Bruce Highway, Gatway traffic. Used to only have congestion on Fridays. Now it’s every day from about 1.30pm. It’s only be done so they don’t have to widen the roads. Too many people have moved here in a short period of time.

Queensland commuters taking advantage of the 50c public transport fares in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

I’m a fan

Peter

It was the only so called cost of living relief measure I agreed with. The rest were just cash handouts with no real benefit. This policy changes the way people move around.

Sandy

21 minutes ago

Those against 50 cent fares obviously do not need to use public transport.

John

I support them to be greatly reduced but not a token. If fares are going to be set only as a token it should be wiped … saving all the costs of collecting and enforcing it as it makes no sense

Gazza

So now we find out Giggles had not committed funding beyond a six month trial for 50 cent fares. Good on the new LNP Government for making this permanent

Geoff2

Miles’ 50c fares must be the most visionary, farsighted policy any Qld government has implemented in 50 years. Difficult to think of any other as remarkable. Price is no longer a barrier in choosing public transport.

Don’t like it

philip

$1.5 billion more debt each year.

Hayden

Anything the govt overseas long-term will operate at an ever increasing loss. Only a govt would spend $100 to produce one ice cream then sell it for $1 – because it’s not their money.

Roderick

Pork barrel at its worst, but easier to implement than improving services.

Now for 50c coffee and 50c hamburgers.

JHon58

what do we get outside of Bris Vagas in the outer regions.

Originally published as What you said about making 50c fares in Qld permanent