- Saturday and Sunday set weekend patronage records for the South East Queensland (SEQ) public transport network.
- SEQ public transport use increased overall during the first week of the trial with patronage almost returning to pre-COVID levels.
- Translink data shows South East Queenslanders saved more than $7 million during the first week of the trial based on the same number of trips under the previous fare structure.
- Airtrain passengers are also making the most of half price fares with an 18% increase in passenger numbers in the first week, as well as a 69% increase in airport staff tickets.
The six-month trial of 50 cent fares is off to a flying start as records tumble across the first week.
Patronage increased across all modes during the first week of the trial with South East Queensland public transport use returning to 98.5 per cent of pre-COVID levels for the week as a whole.
More than four million passenger trips were taken, with total trips up 11.1 per cent from the previous week and up 11.6 per cent from a comparable week in 2023-24. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays were the busiest days in the week.
The weekend was a standout with Saturday and Sunday both recording their busiest days ever on the network.
While weekend figures were boosted by busy crowds at Suncorp Stadium for the Wallabies v South Africa and Dolphins v Warriors, and at the Gabba for the Brisbane Lions v GWS Giants, free travel arrangements were in place for these games and patrons did not need to tap on.
As stated by Premier Steven Miles:
“We put the call out for Queenslanders to make the most of this trial and they are doing just that.
“These are encouraging results that are delivering real savings for commuters.
“My government is continuing to do what matters for Queenslanders by delivering record cost-of-living relief.”
As stated by Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish:
“How fantastic to see South East Queenslanders getting out and about on public transport while keeping money in their pockets.
“In the first week of 50 cent fares, we have almost returned to pre-COVID levels which is a great result.
“This is a cost-of-living initiative first and foremost and on average, South East Queenslanders saved more than $1 million per day last week.
“It’s not just commuters who are benefiting – we said before the trial that 50 cent fares would provide a great opportunity for residents and tourists to explore some of the great locations across our region and the data shows people did exactly that over the weekend.
“We saw busy days across all modes of the public transport, including the busiest weekends ever in the South East, but still within capacity of existing services, which is exactly what we hoped for.”
Fast facts from Monday, August 5 to Sunday, August 11:
- More than four million passenger trips were taken in the first week of the trial.
- There was more than $7 million in savings from the first week of the trial, based on the same number of trips being taken under the previous fares structure.
- Trips were up 11.1 per cent across all four modes in SEQ compared to the week before 50 cent fares started.
- Trips were up 11.6 per cent across SEQ against a comparable week in 2023-24.
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the busiest days of the week for total trip numbers.
- It was the first week to exceed one million journeys on South East Queensland trains since the week ending March 15, 2020.
- Wednesday, August 7 was the busiest day on the train network since March 12, 2020 and was up 11.9 per cent on the Wednesday the week before.
- August 10 and 11 were the busiest Saturday and Sunday in the history of the South East Queensland public transport network with Saturday up 17.4 per cent on pre-COVID levels and Sunday up 15.9 per cent on pre-COVID levels.
- The most bus (up 15.8 per cent on pre-COVID levels) and train (up 11 per cent on pre-COVID levels) trips in a single Saturday were taken on August 10.
- August 11 was the busiest Sunday of all time on the bus network with trips up 16.6 per cent on pre-COVID levels and the second busiest Sunday ever on the train network with a 6.9 per cent increase on pre-COVID levels.
- Ferries set an all-time record for a busiest Saturday on August 10 with trips up 47.4 per cent on pre-COVID levels. The ferry trip numbers on this day were almost 50 per cent higher than both Ekka Saturdays in 2019 and 2023.
- Airtrain passengers are also making the most of half price fares with an 18% increase in passenger numbers in the first week, as well as a 69% increase in airport staff tickets.
