Public transport patronage continues to rise

More people are catching public transport in south east Queensland, taking millions of additional trips compared to the same time last year.

The latest TransLink SEQ data revealed 3.1 million more trips were taken between April to June 2018 when compared with the same period last year.

The data showed 47.52 million public transport trips were taken during the most recent reported quarter, increasing from the 44.42 million trips in the April to June 2017 quarter.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the increase in patronage had been supported by the Palaszczuk Government’s action on fare prices.

“We are seeing the numbers of people using public transport continue to build and those numbers have gained momentum since the introduction of Fairer Fares in late 2016,” Mr Bailey said.

“By reducing the average adult fare by about 13.5 per cent compared to January 2014 levels, Fairer Fares has encouraged more people to give public transport a go and saved families more than $117 million.

“We’ve also seen the opening the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 drive patronage higher too.

“These latest figures are especially positive given they do not include the extra 5.3 million event trips taken during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games."

Mr Bailey said the patronage figures from April to June capped off an outstanding 2017-18 financial year for patronage on the TransLink SEQ network, with 182.83 million taken.

“Comparing full-year numbers, this was an increase of 5.41 million trips, or 3.1 per cent, on the 2016-17 patronage figures,” he said.

“Buses, trains, ferries and trams all showed an increase in patronage.”

Mr Bailey said measures such as concession and discount schemes for asylum seekers, job seekers and veterans’ concessions, as well as frequent travel incentives and off-peak discount, also supported passengers across the region.

Planning is underway for more projects to support patronage growth, including more than 2300 new Park ‘n’ Ride spaces across South East Queensland, the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail and improved bus routes via the Eastern and Northern Transitways.

ENDS

Media: Toby Walker - 0439 347 875