New fare deal means kids go free on weekends

Weekends are set to be family ‘fundays’ on public transport in South East Queensland, with the Palaszczuk Government today announcing the new plan to let kids travel free using their go card all day Saturday and Sunday.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the new fare deal will make it cheaper for families to use public transport and enable children under 15 years old to travel free on bus, trains, trams and ferries.

“The family-friendly fare deals means all kids under 15 years old will be able to travel on public transport free of charge on weekends,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

 “The new fare deal will benefit families and help them manage hip-pocket expenses.”

 Mr Hinchliffe said the new policy would encourage more families to use public transport on weekends and help build a positive culture of public transport use among young people in South East Queensland.

 “For many families this travel discount will make it more affordable to use public transport on the weekend for a family outing,” he said.

 “It will also make it cheaper for families to give their kids early positive experiences on public transport on the weekend.

 “The new travel discount will encourage more families to use public transport for visits to see family, or to go to cultural, sporting, music or art destinations around South East Queensland.”

 Under the existing fare structure, children aged between five and 14 years (inclusive) pay a standard concession rate of 50 per cent off-peak weekend fares.

 Under the new fare structure, children aged between five and 14 years old (inclusive) will travel free at weekends with a child go card.

 Media contact:         Jessica Hill 0475 950 772

Examples of the savings with kids go free

(1)

 A family of two adults and two children who live at North Lakes and catch public transport to South Bank for a day out on the weekend will save $13 dollars per return trip. Currently the trip is 6 zones, under the changes it will become 3 zones.

 The family cost to do this trip at the moment is $32.08, under the Palaszczuk Government’s Fairer Fares package it will now only cost $19.08. That’s a saving of $13 per return trip for the family. Or a saving of $156 per year if you make that trip 12 times a year (i.e. once a month for 12 months).

 (2)

 A family of four (two adults and two kids) live in Robina and catch public transport to Brisbane on the weekend will save $29.76 per return trip. Currently the trip is 15 zones, under the changes it will become 5 zones.

 The family cost to do this trip is $62.80 return. Under the changes this trip on a weekend will now cost $33.04 in total for return fares.

 That’s a saving of $29.76 per return trip for the family. Or a saving of $357.12 per year if you make that trip 12 times a year (i.e. once a month for 12 months).

 (3)

 A five person family who live in in Dutton Park and catch public transport to the Brisbane Central station will save $11.74 per return trip. Currently the trip is 2 zones, under the changes it will become a single zone trip.

 The family cost to do this trip is currently $21.98 return. Under the changes this trip will now cost $10.24 in total.

 That’s a saving of $11.74 per return trip for the family. Or a saving of $140.88 if you make that trip 12 times a year (i.e. once a month for 12 months).

 (4)

 A family of six (two adults and four kids) who live in in Rosewood and catch public transport to Ipswich will save $17.28 per return trip. Currently the trip is 3 zones (travelling in zones 7 – 9), under the changes it will become a 2 zone trip.

 The current family cost is $29.76 return. Under the changes, this trip will now cost $12.48 in total.

 That’s a saving of $17.28 per return trip for the family. Or a saving of $207.36 if you make that trip 12 times a year (i.e. once a month for 12 months).