Fairer fares for Gold Coast

Gold Coast commuters will see public transport fares slashed from next year under the Palaszczuk Government’s Fairer Fares package.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said public transport will be simpler and fairer for commuters, making travel more affordable for people on the Gold Coast.

“My Government promised to introduce fairer fares for public transport in South East Queensland,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“The Fairer Fares package ensures almost all Gold Coast commuters will have cheaper fares and benefit from a range of incentives.

“We will continue the fare price freeze for the rest of this year, to allow implementation of the Fare Review, and in 2017.”

Premier Palaszczuk said a journey from Broadbeach South station, the first station on the line, to Gold Coast University Hospital, the last station on the line, is currently a two zone trip

“Under the changes, a journey on the Gold Coast Light Rail line would only be a single zone trip,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“A Gold Coast commuter travelling from Southport tram station to Coolangatta Surf Club would save $1205.28 a year because it’s now a two zone journey down from a six zone journey.

“Commuters travelling from Robina train station to Brisbane CBD would save $1196.64 a year because their 15 zone trip would become a five zone trip.

“While commuters travelling from Kirra Beach to Brisbane CBD would see their 18 zone trip reduced to a six zone trip saving them $1378.08 annually.

“Most local journeys will be in a single zone and therefore cheaper, for example Robina train station to Nerang train station will be a single zone journey instead of a three zone journey resulting in an annual saving of $630.72.”

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government’s response to recommendations from the independent Fare Review Taskforce ensures the absolute maximum number of commuters benefit.

“Public transport fares need to be affordable, boost patronage and deliver a sustainable fare revenue stream to allow the network to grow,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This relief package is the largest fare reform in a decade which will make fares fairer and lower the cost of living for many households.”

Key changes to the SEQ fare structure from January 2017:

• Fewer zones: SEQ’s 23 travel zones will be simplified to eight.
• Cheaper fares: Fares for all zones of travel will be slashed.
• Extending off-peak discount: Peak period won’t start until after 6am in the morning to encourage earlier travel and give these users cheaper fares. The 20 per cent off-peak discount will now apply for all travel between 7pm and 6am, between 8.30am and 3.30pm Monday-Friday and all day on weekends.
• Kids go free on weekends: Children under the age of 15 will be able to travel free on the weekend on a child go card.
• Senior discounts: Seniors and pensioners will retain the ‘One, Two FREE’ travel
• 8 and 50 for commuters: The Government will scrap ‘Nine + FREE’ and replace with 8 paid journeys and 50 per cent off subsequent journeys per week to deliver higher travel savings to more customers.
• Concessions for Queensland job seekers: TransLink will work with Federal Agencies so jobseekers on Newstart or Youth Allowance will be able to access concession fares from early 2017.
• Concession fares for asylum seekers: In line with other states like New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, asylum seekers in Queensland will be able to access concession fares to use public transport from early 2017.
• New Fares Advisory Panel: The Government will establish a Public Transport Fares Advisory Panel to provide independent advice on future public transport fares, products and ticketing.

Mr Hinchliffe said the fare reform will not only make it more attractive for people to get out of their cars and on to public transport but it will also help ease road congestion.

“Modelling from the Department of Transport and Main Road shows this package will take 7 million cars off our roads every year with more people using public transport,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Simplifying 23 travel zones to eight will benefit all public transport commuters across South East Queensland because commuters will pay less for local travel within the Gold Coast as well as for longer trips.

“The Gold Coast region currently covered by nine zones that would be reduced to three-zones under the new fare structure.

“Many public transport commuters will save hundreds of dollars each year.”

For more information about the fare change online, you can view the Taskforce report and the Government Response.

To compare your current fare with the new fare system visit the Fairer Fares page and use the online fare calculator.

Media contact: Jessica Hill 0475 950 772