The south east Queensland region has recorded its busiest ever weekend on public transport almost 10 days after a six-month trial of 50c fares was rolled out by the government.

Patronage on public ferries, buses and trains has cost just half a dollar since the trial began on August 5.

The government’s measure to almost wipe public transport prices will run for six months and is one of many cost-of-living measures being rolled out ahead of the October 26 state election.

Half a dollar trips have seen an 11.1 per cent jump in patronage in the region since the trial began, with more than four million passenger trips recorded.

Regional data is expected to be available in the near future, Transport Minister Bart Mellish said.

The government has indicated more than $7 million in savings by commuters in the first week of the trial.

Those figures are based on the same number of trips under previous fare structures.

Weekend figures were boosted by NRL, AFL and international rugby union fixtures in Brisbane but travellers gain free rides with their sporting ticket.

Rail use has increased by more than 20 per cent, ferries by more than 16 per cent and buses six per cent.

Use of the privatised train line to Brisbane Airport has also seen an 18 per cent increase with fares halved under the trial.

“That means we are at 98.5 per cent of pre-COVID travel levels,” Mr Mellish said on Wednesday.

“It has been a great uptick in some of that induced travel that people might have stayed at home, might have watched a movie on the couch, but they’ve got out and about and they’ve explored our great region.”

 

Fraser Barton
(Australian Associated Press)