For the first time in Queensland’s history, there will be a state-wide reduction to public transport fares making it more affordable for families to catch the train, bus, tram or ferry.
Premier Campbell Newman and Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said feedback following a two-week survey and public consultation clearly showed Queenslanders wanted cheaper fares.
“Under our strong plan, we promised to deliver cost of living relief for families and this announcement means Queenslanders will pay five per cent less to use public transport from November 3,” Mr Newman said.
“Fares will also be frozen in 2015, so Queenslanders across the state will save up to 7.5 per cent next year.
“What this means is that a mum or dad travelling to work in the Brisbane CBD from the Gold Coast will save more than $297 a year, or nearly $2000 compared to what they would have paid under Labor.
“Under the LNP, families now have more money in their back pocket, compared to Labor’s record of ongoing 15 per cent fare hikes.
Mr Emerson said almost 22,000 people from across Queensland gave their view, and 74 per cent voted for cheaper fares.
“We left it up to Queenslanders to decide where almost $30 million of carbon tax savings should be reinvested and their clear choice was a reduction in fares,” Mr Emerson said.
“Queenslanders have said fares are too expensive having increased by 52 per cent in the last three years under Labor.
“We agreed, that is why we have worked hard to lower fares and passengers will now pay less for a weekly go card than they were under the previous Labor Government.
“Under our policies we have added 3000 extra bus and train services to the network, trains are running on time and up to 80,000 passengers are benefiting from our free travel after nine weekly journeys initiative.
“On top of those benefits, passengers will now pay less for public transport across the State for the first time in Queensland’s history.
“The savings will be across the State so all Queensland public transport users will benefit from improvements in public transport affordability whether they live in South East Queensland or regional Queensland”
The survey officially closed midnight 14 September and gave Queenslanders the choice to re-invest carbon tax savings to either increase services or reduce fares.
Background
|
Under former Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk (Jan 2012) |
Under current Transport Minister Scott Emerson (Nov 2015) |
|
|
Weekly costs – go card (2 zone) |
$35.80 * |
$35.37 ** |
|
Weekly costs – go card (16 zone) |
$128.40 * |
$126.90 ** |
* a 52% increase in three years
** a 1.2% decrease in three years
Fast Facts: SEQ saving examples
- A regular weekday passenger travelling a two zone trip (from Enoggera, Indooroopilly, Newstead to Brisbane CBD or a Gold Coast light rail trip) will save $83.16 per year. That’s $529.32 saving a year compared to what passengers would have paid under Labor.
- A regular weekday passenger travelling a four zone trip (from Wynnum, Carseldine, Sunnybank to Brisbane CBD) will save $110.88 per year. That’s a $700 saving a year compared to what passengers would have paid under Labor.
- A regular weekday passenger travelling a seven zone trip (from Ipswich to Brisbane CBD) save $154.44 per year. That’s a $975 saving a year compared to what passengers would have paid under Labor.
- A regular weekday passenger travelling a 16 zone trip (from Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast to Brisbane CBD) will save almost $297.00 That’s nearly $2000 saving a year compared to what passengers would have paid under Labor.
Fast Facts: Regional examples
- A regular weekday passenger in Cairns and Rockhampton travelling two zones will save up to $88 a year.
- A regular weekday passenger in Townsville travelling three zones will save up to $132 a year.
