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Queensland will benefit from cheaper public transport permanently, if the state government is re-elected, after the "huge success" of its trial of 50 cent public transport fares.
On Sunday, Premier Steven Miles said "we've surged past" pre-pandemic patronage levels, which was the original goal of the six-month test.
"The best thing about this initiative is it saves Queenslanders more than it costs government because of all those extra people using public transport," Mr Miles said.
The trial was originally slated to last six months, but has been extended due to its success. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
The premier said the switch to public transport takes cars off busy roads while reducing Queensland's impact on the environment.
"All around, I'm really excited about 50 cent fares, and I really want the chance to make them permanent," Mr Miles said of the upcoming state election.
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said he was proud of the results, including the $37 million commuters had saved since 50 cent fares were introduced.
The government said 3 million more trips had been taken across the state since the trial began.
The government said more people are taking advantage of public transport now that fares only cost 50 cents. (ABC News: Gemma Ferguson)
"They can keep that $7.5 million each week in their pockets, and of course we're seeing the productivity improvements that come from 50 cent fares," Mr Dick said, pointing to local staffing and easing congestion.
"We will lock in 50 cent fares forever … Just like the Cowboys and Lions last night, Queenslanders across the state are the big winners."
He pointed to the the latest state budget, which featured a record deficit "to help families now" as the cost of living continues to bite.
State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace said, after door-knocking more than 1,000 homes over the weekend, locals "are loving what they can buy with 50 cents".
Tickets for trams, buses, ferries and trains across Queensland cost just 50 cents under the cost-of-living relief. (ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale)
"When I was growing up, it was hard to even get a bag of lollies for 50 cents, but now you can get a train from Fortitude Valley down to the Gold Coast," she said.
"I love this, I know my residents love this."
Feedback from across the state
Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the "outstanding success" of 50 cent fares has seen customer feedback go "through the roof".
"Customer complaints have gone down, people are really enjoying getting out and about on our network," Mr Mellish said.
Cheaper public transport has led to increased patronage in a number of places across Queensland. (ABC News: Gemma Ferguson)
The minister said the increased patronage extended beyond the heavily-populated south-east corner, with more regional Queenslanders taking up public transport too.
He said the figures, in comparison to the month immediately before the trial began, were up across a number of areas.
| Locality | Increase to patronage |
|---|---|
| Cairns | 14.4 per cent |
| Townsville and Magnetic Island | 9.4 per cent |
| The Whitsundays | 21 per cent |
| Mackay | 30 per cent |
| Rockhampton | 8 per cent |
| Bundaberg | 11.6 per cent |
The premier referred to a "chicken and egg" problem facing regional towns, where "too few people use public transport because there aren't enough services, [but] you can't deliver more services because too few people use public transport".
"We always said that, if 50 cent fares got more people onto public transport, then that would allow us to invest in more and better services," Mr Miles added.
Mr Mellish has already received interstate contact from other transport ministers keen to know more and said he'd like to see similar cost-cutting rolled out elsewhere.
Opposition commits to cheaper fares for first term
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP would honour Labor's commitment to cheaper public transport for the first term of government if his party wins in October.
"Not only will we lock in 50 cent fares, we've got a plan to make sure that we increase frequency, reliability and safety for regional Queensland and those outer Brisbane areas," Mr Crisafulli said.
He said Queenslanders liked the initiative but "there's a real shortage of public transport options" for those living outside of the city centre.
He wouldn't be drawn on what localities the LNP would focus its plan for affordable public transport, but said his deputy Jarrod Bleijie would lead the plan.
When questioned about cost, Mr Crisafulli pointed to the government's own figures, which budgeted $150 million for the first six months.