Fairer fares Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay 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 from Moreton Bay.

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

“The Fairer Fares package ensures almost all Moreton Bay 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 commuters travelling from Caboolture train station to Brisbane CBD would save $816.48 a year because the eight zone journey becomes a three zone journey.

“Commuters travelling from North Lakes’ bus station to Brisbane CBD via Petrie train station will save $315.36 per year because the six zone journey becomes a three zone journey,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“Redcliffe commuters travelling locally between the Jetty on Redcliffe Parade and Woody Point post office would save $64.80 a year with the single zone fare falling from $3.35 to $3.20.

“A family of two adults and two children (5 to 14 years) from Caboolture going to South Bank Parklands on a weekend will now pay just $9.54 one way, saving $18.60 on a return 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.”

The key changes to the SEQ fare structure from January 2017 will be:

• 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 Moreton Bay as well as for longer trips.

“The Moreton Bay region is currently covered by three zones, which will be reduced to two zones for most commuters 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