Fairer fares for Ipswich

Ipswich 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 in Ipswich.

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

“The Fairer Fares package ensures almost all Ipswich 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 an average Ipswich region commuter travelling from Collingwood Park State School to Willowbank shops would save $630.72 a year because their three zone trip would become a single zone trip.

“Local journeys in a single zone will be cheaper, for example commuters travelling from Springfield Central Station to Ipswich Mall would save $578.88 annually,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“Similarly, an average commuter travelling between Rosewood Station and Ipswich Station would save $328.32 because their three zone trip will become a two zone trip.

“Commuters travelling from either Goodna or Redbank train stations to Brisbane CBD would save an average of $889.92 a year as Goodna commuters would travel just two zones compared to five zones and Redbank commuters would travel across three zones instead of six.

“An average commuter travelling from Ipswich Station to Brisbane CBD will save $565.92 a year as their seven zone journey becomes a three zone journey.”

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 Ipswich as well as for longer trips.

“Ipswich is currently covered by on average five travel zones but this will reduced to between two-four zones under the new fare structure.

“Many public transport commuters will save hundreds of dollars each year,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

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