Transport fares fall under LNP

Passengers across Queensland will pay less for public transport from today, as the Queensland Government’s five per cent reduction to fares comes into effect.

Premier Campbell Newman and Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the $30 million savings from the scrapped carbon tax had been re-invested to reduce the cost of public transport, as a direct result of feedback from Queenslanders.

“We promised to deliver cost of living relief for passengers as part of our strong plan to get more people back on to public transport,” Mr Newman said.

“Under a Can-Do LNP Government, families are today paying less for public transport giving them more money in their pocket to spend on what really matters.

“The savings are significant and, when added up over a whole year, could buy the family groceries for several weeks or buy a month’s worth of petrol for the family car.”

Mr Newman said a regular weekday customer travelling to work from the Gold Coast to Brisbane over 16 zones would now save up to $297 per year.

A passenger travelling a two zone trip (from Enoggera, Indooroopilly and Newstead to the Brisbane CBD or a Gold Coast light rail trip) now saved $83.16 per year.

In regional Queensland, for example, a regular weekday passenger travelling three zones in Townsville saved up to $132 a year.

Mr Emerson said that the LNP promised to tackle affordability and it was a privilege to be part of a Government delivering cheaper fares.

“Only under a Can-Do LNP Government have passengers been delivered a Queensland-first, state-wide public transport fare reduction,” Mr Emerson said.

“The cost of living relief will continue and be even greater next year with no increase planned in 2015.

“The former Labor government’s public transport record consisted of slugging passengers with 52 per cent fare increases over three years and record low rail reliability.

“Now though, a regular weekly passenger will be paying less than what they would have been under Labor.

“In stark contrast, the LNP has a plan to improve frequency, reliability and affordability of the network building on our already strong record, which shows passengers are choosing public transport.”

Mr Emerson said this Government was serious about getting public transport on track for the people of Queensland.

“We have added 3,000 additional bus and train services a week, we are the most reliable metro rail network in Australia and will be delivering real-time information for customers across the TransLink network in South East Queensland,” he said.

[ENDS] 3 November 2014

Media contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625