Queensland’s independent Fare Review Taskforce is on track to deliver findings by mid-2016
Public transport fares in South East Queensland are still being investigated, as the Queensland Government seeks to set fares that encourage more people to use the network.
A planned fare increase of 2.5 per cent was put on hold last month, as the independent Fare Review Taskforce made up of public transport experts and user group representatives work on a proposal to introduce a more affordable fare structure for TransLink services.
Queensland minister for transport Stirling Hinchliffe says a new ticketing system to replace the existing Go card system is also being investigated and the outcome of the review should make public transport a more affordable option for many.
“Affordability is a priority for the Palaszczuk Government because public transport patronage in South East Queensland declined under the former LNP Government and it’s a barrier to growing patronage on the public transport network,” he says.
“Under the LNP’s watch public transport patronage in South East Queensland declined by more than two million trips.”
The fare review will provide recommendations to the Queensland Government about affordability, as well as existing concession fares and the current zoning system and the taskforce will also establish an independent body to provide ongoing advice on fares.
Translink fares were slashed by five per cent last year, with further cuts a possibility, as the Queensland Government seeks to increase patronage and discourage private vehicle use.
While members of the taskforce were appointed in August last year, there is still more work to be done and its findings are not due to be released until the middle of this year, before going out to public consultation.
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