Fare freeze for commuters

The Palaszczuk Government today announced a freeze on public transport fares across South East Queensland until 1 July, 2016 while the independent Fare Review is underway.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the decision to freeze fares and not proceed with a scheduled annual CPI increase had been made to ensure commuters would not be impacted while the current fare structure in South East Queensland was being considered by the expert-led taskforce.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to restoring confidence in our public transport system and boosting patronage by delivering fair, affordable and sustainable fares across our network,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“That’s why in August the Queensland Government appointed an independent taskforce of public transport experts to lead a comprehensive review of TransLink’s fare structure in South East Queensland.

“In the spirit of fairness, while the taskforce continues its work, the Palaszczuk Government will suspend the projected annual CPI increase due in January 2016.”

Mr Hinchliffe said affordability in public transport fares was a priority for the Palaszczuk Government because public transport patronage in South East Queensland declined under the former LNP Government – with two million fewer public transport trips recorded across the network.

“In stark contrast, public transport use has increased over the past few months under the Labor Government,” he said.

“Public transport patronage increased by 3.1 percent between July and September 2015, with more than 47 million trips recorded on South East Queensland’s public transport network.”

The data was released today in the TransLink Tracker, a quarterly report of the performance of South East Queensland’s public transport network that was scrapped by the former LNP Government.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s decision to release the TransLink Tracker is about restoring accountability and transparency in our public transport network and overturns the former LNP government’s decision to withhold this data from the community,” he said.

Mr Hinchliffe said Queenslanders would have an opportunity to have their say on the future of public transport fares when the recommendations of the review are released.

“Queenslanders can be confident that the review will deliver a fair and affordable fare structure that will help boost patronage while delivering a sustainable fare revenue stream to allow the network to continue to grow,” he said.

Public transport fares regional services will not rise in 2016 as the Bus Cost Index has not increased.

The Fare Review Taskforce is set to release its recommendations for community consultation early next year. Public transport patronage increased by 3.1 percent between July and September 2015, with more than 47 million trips recorded on South East Queensland’s public transport network.

For public transport information, download the My TransLink app, visit www.translink.com.au or contact the TransLink call centre on 13 12 30, anytime.

Media Contact:  0475 950 772