January’s rise on public transport fares has been frozen again to support Queenslanders during a challenging stage of the pandemic.
Announced by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, the fares are normally increased each January in line with the Consumer Price Index but the freeze recognised the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 strain in the Queensland community.
“In January 2021, the Government implemented a fare freeze in recognition of the economic impact COVID was having on the life of Queenslanders,” Mr Bailey said.
“We did this coupled with additional bus and train services in South-East Queensland so that public transport passengers would know there were more seats available to allow for social distancing,” he said.
The Minister said these measures and the State’s overall response to the pandemic had minimised the reduction in public transportation use compared to other States.
Mr Bailey said, however, the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and more people working from home to slow the spread of virus had had a substantial impact on public transportation use.
“In recognition of this, the scheduled fare increase will now be implemented in July instead, to support Queenslanders through this difficult time,” he said.
“So far, Queensland Rail and our bus and ferry service partners have continued to deliver public transport services with minimal disruptions.”
Mr Bailey said Queensland Rail and TransLink would continue to closely monitor the impact of COVID transmission on bus, train and ferry crew availability and may have to temporarily scale back services.
