MEDIA STATEMENT: A fresh start for Queensland: Queenslanders on Board with the LNP’s Permanent 50 Cent Fares 

Queenslanders on Board with the LNP’s Permanent 50 Cent Fares  

• The LNP’s Permanent 50 Cent Fares start today following the end of a 6 month trial.
• The LNP’s Permanent 50 Cent Fares is a key cost of living measure delivered by the Crisafulli Government.
• South East Queenslanders have saved more than $181 million in the first six months of 50 cent public transport fares. 
• Under Labor, 50 Cent Fares would have ended as there was no funding beyond the 6 month trial.  

The LNP Permanent 50 Cent Fares officially begin today, delivering on another key election commitment to ease cost of living for Queenslanders. 

Under Labor, 50 Cent Fares would have ended over the weekend as they didn’t allocate any funding in the budget beyond the 6 month trial.  

During the trial, commuters have embraced the cheap fares across Translink’s South-East Queensland bus, train, ferry, tram, on-demand services and regional urban bus networks as well as the Coochiemudlo Island Ferry. 

South East Queensland public transport users have saved more than $181 million since the introduction of 50 cent fares, with more than 93.3 million trips taken. 

Overall patronage across all modes of transport is 18.3 per cent higher than the same period in 2023, and almost 5 per cent higher than pre-COVID-19 levels.  

Patronage in regional Queensland has grown by an average of about 20 per cent from the previous year across the 16 regional urban bus networks. 

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said he was pleased to deliver on this important election commitment for Queenslanders. 

"Our decision to make 50 cent fares permanent was the right one, with so many Queenslanders benefiting from affordable public transport," Minister Mickelberg said. 

“This cost of living relief would have ended yesterday under Labor, so I am pleased to deliver on our promise to keep the cheap fares for commuters while encouraging more families to jump on board public transport. 

"The benefits are widespread, whether it’s everyday commuters, students connecting with their university or school, retirees heading into the community for social activities, families enjoying a day out, or anyone using public transport to connect with shops, healthcare or events.  

“We have seen patronage numbers gradually increasing across the network. 

“Queenslanders have saved more than $181 million thanks to 50 cent fares, and our networks have seen a total of 93.3 million trips since the trial started to February 2nd. 

“Some Queenslanders have told me they now use public transport instead of driving to work, while others say their family is getting out and about more on weekends thanks to the cheap travel. It’s great to hear. 

"Thank you to our public transport staff and operators across Queensland for the continued support in successfully implementing 50 cent fares and increasing the accessibility of our great state."  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Sophie Cassidy 0484 620 899 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

MEDIA NOTE:
*Data as at 2 February 2025 

• 50 cent fares were launched as a 6-month trial starting on 5 August 2024 and ending on 9 February 2025, before the Crisafulli Government announced them as permanent in November 2024.  
• Public transport users have saved more than $181 million since the introduction of 50 cent fares, based on the same number of trips being taken under the previous fare structure.
• More than 93.3 million trips taken in SEQ - an increase of 18.3 per cent from the benchmark period in 2023
• SEQ public transport patronage has had significant growth since the introduction of 50 cent fares across all modes when compared to the 2023 benchmark:
  • Light rail increased 27.5 per cent.  
  • Ferry increased 42.8 per cent.
  • Bus increased 15.8 per cent.
  • Rail increased 18.6 per cent.
• More people are catching public transport across all local government areas in SEQ, with notable percentage increases in Gympie (+49 per cent), Noosa (+35 per cent), Logan (+20 per cent), Gold Coast (+21 per cent) and Sunshine Coast (+37 per cent). 
• In SEQ the bus service with the biggest uplift of patronage was route 60 with an increase of more than 367,000 trips.
• In SEQ the train station with the biggest increase in patronage was Central Station with an increase of more than 394,000 trips. It is pleasing that other stations such as Helensvale (2), Springfield Central (9) and Coomera (10) made the top 10.
• Patronage growth has also occurred across Translink’s regional Queensland bus networks, averaging 20 per cent across all networks with strong outcomes in North Stradbroke Island (39.29 per cent), Mackay (40.92 per cent), and Townsville (49.29 per cent).