Public transportation fares for trains, buses, and ferries are set to significantly decrease, with a temporary reduction to just fifty cents. This fare reduction will last for six months and is part of a series of cost-of-living measures introduced by the Premier, who also aims to reduce traffic congestion. However, the opposition criticizes the timing of this initiative, suggesting it is a strategic move to gain favor with voters ahead of the upcoming state election. James Kelly provides further insights into the implications of this fare reduction and the political debate surrounding it.
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00:00 Catching public transport can be costly.
00:05 For people that are obviously in the workforce it's quite expensive.
00:08 Oh wait, my mum pays, but she puts $10 on my go card for like a week and then I just use it.
00:12 Families are feeling the pinch.
00:14 $6.63 I think it is per every day.
00:20 But from August the 5th fares will plummet.
00:23 These days you can't get much for 50 cents, but soon you'll be able to go anywhere on our public transport network.
00:29 The Premier says it will cost $150 million but will save some thousands on getting more cars off the road and people onto public transport.
00:39 50 cent fares are a cost of living savings that Queenslanders can see every day. It's a radical change.
00:46 People will be able to commute for a dollar a day, 50 cents in, 50 cents out.
00:50 It covers all TransLink trains and buses across the state, the Gold Coast Light Rail and ferries which from tomorrow will stop at the Howard Smith Wharves.
00:59 One way of reducing traffic congestion is better transport.
01:02 The Opposition supports the move but says Queenslanders will see through it.
01:06 It's questioned why the measure only lasts for six months, which includes the much anticipated October state election.
01:14 Queenslanders are very supportive of getting additional costs of relief because they are struggling at the moment,
01:20 but they're also cynical in that it runs out just after the election.
01:25 The Premier says it's not an election sweetener.
01:28 This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've been Premier for six months.
01:33 Commuters couldn't be happier.
01:35 I think that's awesome. It would be really good for the community, especially a lot of people that don't have a lot of money.
01:40 That's good. That would make it a lot cheaper.
01:42 Results from the trial will be reviewed next year and changes will be made if services become overcrowded.
01:48 We'd love to see patronage on a population adjusted basis come back up to at least the pre-COVID levels.
01:54 I'd certainly use the train a lot more if it was 50 cents.
01:57 Just what the Premier wants.
01:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]