South East Queensland (SEQ) public transport customers are saving millions and pushing public transport patronage to record levels.
Across SEQ, fare savings have saved public transport users more than $29 million, putting the daily savings about just over $1 million.
As customers are benefitting from this windfall, public transport patronage has passed pre-COVID levels for the first time, with more than 15 million trips taken since 50 cent fares were introduced on August 5.
The steady increase in patronage has seen pre-COVID patronage levels reached for the first time, with overall trips now 2.4 per cent higher than the comparative pre-COVID period.
Premier Steven Miles spoke about the importance of the 50 cent fares.
“I’ve seen people tag me in their TikTok and Instagram videos about catching the train to work, or the ferry to Howard Smith Wharves for the first time,” he said.
“Each trip represents a massive saving to commuters and huge confidence in our broader transport system.
“I want to see this level of success continue as we power through the six-month trial.”
The number of trips on the network is 14.5 per cent higher than a comparative period last year.
- Light Rail: 18.6 per cent higher than the same period last year
- Rail: 16 per cent higher than the same period last year
- Ferries: 40.6 per cent higher than the same period last year
- Buses: 12.1 per cent higher than the same period last year
The government has seen seeing strong patronage growth on weekdays and very strong growth on weekends, as customers take advantage the 50 cent fares to ditch the car and explore their region in a cost effective way.
Weekend trips have been between 30 and 40 per cent above the pre-COVID comparative period.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the government has seen patronage numbers gradually increasing across the network since the beginning of the trial.
“After just one month, public transport trips across SEQ have hit new highs, with pre-COVID levels now exceeded on bus, light rail and ferry,” he said.
“Weekend trips have experienced a massive increase as customers take advantage of 50 cent fares to get out and about across the region.”
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