Record crowds have used public transport to get to the Ekka this year
August 17, 2012
A record number of Brisbanians have caught public transport to the Ekka this year.
Transport Minister Scott Emerson says public transport use was up 25 percent from last year following the introduction of the special Ekka travel ticket, extra bus services and the removal of the go card surcharge this year.
“Since the Ekka kicked off last Thursday more than 343,000 journeys were taken to and from the show including more than 32,000 bus journeys,” Emerson says.
“Bus use increased over the course of the show from just a couple of hundred on the first day to over 10,000 on people’s day which was pleasing.”
Emerson says the Ekka travel ticket made it more affordable, particularly for families travelling from Ipswich, and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
“Anyone with a pre-purchased Ekka ticket could purchase a $6 travel ticket or $3 for child orconcession from anywhere on the TransLink network,” he says
Emerson commended the
efforts of public transport workers during the Ekka.
“The men and women who provide the services or are on the ground ensuring everything is working as planned are the lifeblood of keeping public transport flowing and providing a safe journey,” Emerson says.
“People’s day alone had the highest public transport usage, with nearly 69,000 journeys to and from the show.”
Almost
69,000 used public transport to journey to and from the showBottom of Form on People’s day.