Over $61 million back in the pockets of South East Queensland commuters thanks to Miles Labor Government

•  The Miles Labor Government continues to pull all levers on cost of living, to put money back in the pockets of Queenslanders.
• In the last 12 months, over $61 million saved by SEQ commuters on public transport fares.
• Government providing public transport fare relief through off-peak discounts, concession and half price travel for students, seniors and concession card holders.

The Miles Labor Government’s cost of living relief measures continue to put money back in the pockets of Queenslanders, including commuters in the state’s south east.

Over the past 12 months, over $61 million has been saved by commuters off the back of a year-long fare freeze, discounts and concessions.

More than 130 million trips have been taken in that period, resulting in real cost-of living savings.

In December the government announced a freeze on public transport fares, keeping them from increasing in 2024.

This is in addition to half price travel for children between 5-14, secondary students, pensioners, veterans, seniors, university students, job seekers and asylum seekers.

The range of travel incentives also included the ‘eight and half price’ initiative, which allows a 50 per cent discount after more than eight journeys are conducted in a week.

The Queensland Government’s Fairer Fares package was introduced in December 2016 and now saves Queenslanders around $5 million every month off public transport trips.

Queenslander's have saved over $427 million since the Fairer Fares schemes introduction.

The scheme delivers cost of living relief to at least 93 per cent of commuters through reducing the number of zones from 23 to 8 and providing additional discounts including the extension of the 20 per cent off-peak discount period, free travel for kids on weekends, and concession fares.

Quotes attributable to Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish: 

“The Miles Labor Government is delivering the biggest cost of living relief package in Queensland history to back Queenslanders and help them make ends meet.

“Making public transport fares more affordable is all about helping Queenslanders meet the pressures from the growing costs of living.

“In December, one of the Premier’s first announcements was to freeze the costs of rego and transport fares in 2024, a measure that is saving Queenslanders more than $83 million.

“We are consistently looking at ways to improve our public transport fare scheme to drive down costs for commuters.

“I’m proud our Fairer Fares initiative has saved Queenslanders $427 million – including more than $61 million over the last 12 months.

“Our government will continue to put forward initiatives to make public transport more affordable and attractive, because cheaper transport increases access to health, jobs and education for Queenslanders.

“Cheaper travel is on top of our investment in more frequent and reliable public transport services for Queenslanders through Cross River Rail, Sunshine Coast Direct Rail, Gold Coast Light Rail, Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, the Northern and Eastern Transitways, Smart Ticketing and park 'n' ride expansions.

“Lower transport fares puts more money back in the pockets of Queenslanders.

“Savings like these are at risk under an LNP Government come October.

“Their refusal to back Queensland’s fair share of coal royalties means that savings initiatives like these would be the first on the chopping block under a future LNP Government.” 

Highlights of the Queensland Government’s Fairer Fares package: 

• Fewer zones: South East Queensland’s 23 travel zones were simplified to eight.
• Cheaper fares: Fares for all zones of travel were slashed.
• Extending off-peak discount: Peak period doesn’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 applies 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 travel free on the weekend on a child go card.
• Senior discounts: Seniors and pensioners retain the ‘One, Two FREE’ travel.
• 8 and 50 for commuters: The Government removed the ‘Nine + FREE’ and replaced it with 8 paid journeys and 50 per cent off subsequent journeys per week.
• Concessions for Queensland job seekers: Jobseekers on Newstart or Youth Allowance can access concession fares.
• Concession fares for asylum seekers: Asylum seekers in Queensland can access concession fares.

ENDS

This statement replaces the statement which was posted at 9:24am Friday 10^th May 2024.