Standardising public transport fares and zones across all regional areas in the State promises to allow Transport’s Smart Ticketing system to operate in every region in Queensland.
Welcomed by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, the proposed changes to public transport fares will see them rolled out progressively across 16 urban bus networks from July, bringing a more consistent fare structure, with the majority of urban regional transport customers paying less or the same.
According to Mr Bailey the change follows a review of fares and zones across regional Queensland.
“Right now, fares and zones differ across all regional areas and we want to introduce a more equitable zone structure across regional Queensland,” Mr Bailey said, “similar to what is in place in South East Queensland.”
“Once the consistent fare and zone structure has been introduced to these regional areas, the progressive rollout of Smart Ticketing will be able to begin.”
He said that right now, a new Smart Ticketing system was being delivered across the State, which will allow Queenslanders to use their credit, debit and go card or smart device to pay for public transport for the first time.
“To ensure this integrates with the current system, we’re installing new readers across our train, bus and ferry fleet state-wide,” the Minister said.
“This will make it easier for people right around Queensland, from the Coast to the Cape, to understand transport fares and access public transport.”
Deputy Director-General of Translink , Sally Stannard said the move would also see current qconnect bus networks become Translink-branded.
“Operating under the Translink brand will bring a number of benefits which will be seen by customers, including access to integrated journey planning and Translink’s 24/7 contact centre (13 12 30),” Ms Stannard said
Mr Bailey said a single zone journey will cost $2.40 (adult) and $1.20 (concession) across all of Queensland and increases of $0.60 (adult) and $0.30 (concession) would apply for each extra zone travelled.
He said the phased implementation would kick in from Monday, 4 July for Warwick, Innisfail, Bowen, Whitsundays (urban only), Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
“From September to the end of January 2023, the changes will be introduced progressively across the remaining regional areas of Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Gympie, Whitsunday (school network), Rockhampton-Yeppoon, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, and Kilcoy,” Mr Bailey said.
“I look forward to seeing more people giving public transport a try here, there and everywhere,” he said.
More information is available at this PS News link.
