Free ride home on Friday with go card

Up to 100,000 public transport users will get fare relief from tomorrow, with the introduction of the Newman Government’s nine-and-free weekly discounts.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said a regular weekday commuters using a go card from tomorrow would see real savings with free travel after nine journeys in a Monday-to-Sunday week.

“That means regular weekday commuters who use their go card to travel to and from work five days a week will get their journey home on Friday and travel across the weekend for free,” Mr Emerson said.

“The LNP is serious about tackling cost of living pressure for Queenslanders and we are delivering yet another election commitment.

“We are restoring confidence in our public transport network by improving the affordability, reliability and frequency of public transport.

“During the January to March quarter, affordability of public transport dropped to an all-time low – 45 per cent on trains and 51 and 53 per cent on buses and ferries.”

A regular weekday commuter to the CBD from Oxley or Mitchelton will save up to $220 a year while customers travelling from Varsity Lakes or Palmwoods will save up to $642 each year.

Seniors and pensioners using go cards can still take two journeys in the same day and then travel free for the rest of the day, no matter where they wish to go on the TransLink network.

Passenger information on go cards, including the location of go card retailers, is available at www.translink.com.au or on 13 12 30.

[ENDS] 24 June 2012

Media Contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625