A six-month trial for Queensland public transport will reduce all transport fees to 50 cents per trip, while across the border in NSW the cost of public transport has risen.
The Queensland initiative, which began in August, will see a $150 Million reduction in fare revenue.
A TransLink spokesperson said that the trial will be a boost for commuters and the function of transport around Queensland.
“The trial aims to put money back into the pockets of Queenslanders, reduce road congestion, and help return public transport patronage to pre-COVID levels,” the spokesperson said.
While Queensland has adopted the 50-cent trial, NSW Transport has increased fares by 3.6 per cent, adding to the burden of the rising cost of living,
University student Jadein Gibson Davis said the 50-cent fare could help minimise travel expenses if adopted by the NSW Government.
“As someone who uses public transport for everywhere I go, one of the biggest expenses I normally have as a university student is my travel fares,” he said.
Adult fares from Wollongong station to Town Hall are currently around seven dollars for a single trip, which adds up for commuters over the course of an entire year.
Data collected after COVID, from Transport NSW, shows that rail travel on the South Coast Line post the pandemic has dropped by 50 per cent, when compared to the pre-COVID average, which is only leading to increased road congestion.
By adopting the 50 cent trial, NSW could follow the success of Queensland and offer travellers a more efficient and affordable network, Mr Gibson Davis said.
Video: University students are struggling to make ends meet following a rise in public transport costs.
Despite efforts to manage finances, the rising transport costs have placed a significant strain on budgets. University students, aware of the affordability of public transport, are concerned about how it impacts their financial well-being.
