The hugely anticipated 50 cent flat fare initiative starts today for Queensland commuters!

From 5 August, the cost of all Translink public transport services will be slashed to 50 cents, no matter where you live or how far you travel.

Customers will still need to ‘tap on’ and ‘tap off’ for their journey using Smart Ticketing, a go card, or by purchasing a paper ticket, in order to access the reduced fare.

The initiative will be in place for six months and data gathered from go card usage and paper ticket sales will help evaluate the success of the program.

Existing commuters stand to save thousands of dollars. To see how much you could potentially save on public transport fares, check the examples provided for local commuters.

Start planning your journey via Translink or read the Q and A section below for more information about this cost saving initiative.

🌐 https://jp.translink.com.au/

Q and A

Will the cheaper fares lead to overcrowding?

Patronage across all modes on the South-East Queensland public transport network is currently at 87 per cent of pre-COVID levels, so there is capacity for many services right across the region. 

Modelling undertaken by Translink and the Transport Analysis Unit in the Department of Transport and Main Roads estimates a likely increase in public transport patronage during the trial, realigning it to pre-COVID levels.

What is Translink doing to address overcrowding on buses?

To support the expected uplift in customers, Translink is allocating buses from its locally manufactured rail replacement fleet to delivery partners where required.

Fifty (50) additional buses will be available on standby to provide sweeper services at 34 locations across the network. 

Delivery partners will position the additional buses at convenient locations on their network where demand is expected to be high. 

Will I still be able to get a carpark at my local station?

Modelling indicates the forecast patronage uplift could impact the availability of parking at certain stations, park 'n' ride facilities, and bus interchanges. 

These impacts are not dissimilar to what was experienced at these locations prior to COVID, where demand for parking was high but at sustainable levels. 

Customers are encouraged to consider alternative stations in the area that may have greater capacity. Check the information below on park 'n' ride facilities in the Moreton Bay region.

My service is already crowded/full, will you be adding more services during this time?

Translink will be actively monitoring the SEQ and regional networks and passenger numbers throughout the trial and will work closely with all delivery partners to assess any overcrowding issues if they arise.

Customers are encouraged you to use the Service Capacity Tracker on the Translink website for information on the space available on their service.

What is the Service Capacity Tracker?

Customers concerned about capacity issues on their service are encouraged to use Translink's improved Service Capacity Tracker to view predicted patronage. 

Available on the Translink website, the Service Capacity Tracker provides customers with information on the expected available space on their service. Information is available on all modes of public transport (bus, rail, light rail, train). 

🌐 https://translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/capacity-tracker

Will this fare apply to Airtrain?

Airtrain fares will be reduced from $21.90 to $10.95 when travelling from Brisbane City stations to Brisbane Domestic and Brisbane International stations when using a go card or a contactless debit/credit card. Paper ticket fares will be $11.

Brisbane City stations include Eagle Junction, Wooloowin, Albion, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street, and South Brisbane.

If you are travelling from any other station, it will be $10.95 plus the 50 cent flat fare, making the total $11.45.

To find out about Airtrain fares visit https://www.airtrain.com.au/ or phone (07) 3216 3308 or 1800 119 091.