Public transport efficiencies to drive better fares

The Newman Government has begun work to improve public transport fares for south east Queensland passengers.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the public transport advisory group had been asked to provide submissions on the future fare path.

“This government is committed to delivering better cost of living for Queensland families and passengers,” Mr Emerson said.

“This will be reflected in our six-month action plan commitment to announce a new fare structure for public transport in south east Queensland.

“Savings from delivering a more efficient public transport network will be reinvested in fares to tackle the affordability crisis left by the Bligh Government’s on-going 15 per cent hikes.”

Earlier this week, Queensland Rail started negotiation on a new business model to consolidate services within their Office of the CEO, business strategy, corporate services and human resources areas.

“Future negotiation of its enterprise agreements is a matter for Queensland Rail, however as Queenslanders would expect, they will be seeking efficiencies,” Mr Emerson said.

“I think people would be surprised to learn that under the current arrangements there were situations like 50 per cent additional train crew left in Cairns for up to two years following Labor’s sell off of QR National.

“While we had excess staff in some areas of the state at the same time we were looking to employ additional train crew in south east Queensland to meet a growing number of services, including the 140 additional weekly services on the Ferny Grove line and 10 additional weekly services on the Gold Coast line.”

Media contact: Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637