RACQ to monitor impact of 50 cent public transport fares

News
RACQ has welcomed 50 cent public transport fares as a short-term measure however the bigger task is building more services and infrastructure to make public transport available and feasible for a growing population.
Bus_9

The Club’s research found 58% of commuters surveyed in the south east say the 50 cent fares will entice them to use transport more, especially among those who already use it frequently. 

But Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane said the research also found almost 30% of Queenslanders believed the south east’s public transport network did not meet their needs.

“Commuters blamed the lack of direct routes and limited availability of services as the main reasons for not using public transport,” he said.

The findings come ahead of Translink fares being slashed to 50 cents from Monday as part of a six-month trial.

“The focus cannot end after six months, cost is the easiest hurdle to overcome,” Dr Kane said. 

“There will be surges in patronage for particular routes and services, and the Club was keen to monitor which are most in demand and how they cope.” 

“Six months of patronage data will provide important insights which must be used to shape long-term decision making around fare reform and how services can be improved.”

During the trial, commuters will be able to travel on all South East Queensland Translink bus, train, ferry, and tram services and all regional Translink buses for 50 cents, with a round-trip costing just $1.00.

Fares on the Airtrain will also be half-price for six months, dropping to $10.95 for a ticket from Brisbane city to the airport.

Dr Kane said the Government needed to do whatever it could to bring South East Queensland public transport use back to the same levels as other capital cities.

“We need the Government to plan and build a public transport system that more Queenslanders are able and want to use for the long-term. 

“This includes better infrastructure, higher-frequency and faster rail services, and overhauling bus services with more direct, high-frequency services.”

 

Related topics

  • The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.

    Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.

    Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.

    Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.

    RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.