Cheap fares that prompted a surge in public transport use in Queensland will remain amid calls for prices to drop in the rest of the nation.
Travellers were drawn onto public transport after the introduction of 50-cent fares in August, with network-wide patronage increasing more than 16 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
The state recorded its busiest weekend across the network shortly after introducing the cheaper fares, when more than 700,000 trips were taken.
The initial six-month reduction has been made permanent after saving commuters more than $110 million.
The state’s Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg on Saturday confirmed 50-cent fares will continue across buses, trams, trains and ferries.
“This is a great day for Queenslanders with the cheapest public transport fares in the state’s modern history here to stay,” Mr Mickelberg said.
The then-Labor government announced the policy in the lead-up to the October state election, with the LNP also adopting the move on its path to power.
The fares apply to Translink services, including buses, trams, trains and ferries in south-east Queensland and suburban bus services in regional areas.
Fares on the privately owned Airtrain services from the city centre to Brisbane Airport have been reduced to $10.95 until February 9.
It is unclear whether those fares will remain at the discounted rate, with online bookings not yet available beyond that date.
Queensland now has the lowest public transport fares in the nation, and other states are being urged to follow amid cost-of-living pressures.
The NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union has called for the government to slash fares, as it continues campaigning for 24-hour services, but the state’s Transport Minister Jo Haylen said earlier in November 50-cent fares were “not on the table”, amid a dispute over the light rail.
Fares were free in Canberra for several weeks beginning in late September as the ACT transitioned its public transport payments to a new platform, but has since resumed charging commuters.
The WA government will waive fares over summer, beginning on December 14 and ending on February 5.
Tasmania has halved fares until July to relieve price pressures and encourage patronage.
