Over the weekend, Queensland Premier Steven Miles announced that from August 5 all fares across the Translink public transport network will cost just 50 cents.

The cut-price fares will apply no matter how far you travel on any bus, train, light rail or City Cat ferry. The policy aims to reduce congestion and help with the rising cost of living.

The policy is one of the Labor government’s pre-election promises and will run for six months. If after that time the plan has reduced congestion it will continue. In a statement the Miles government said public transport usage is still 13 per cent lower than pre-Covid levels and that a full bus can take 50 cars off the road, and a full train of commuters represents 600 cars.

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Miles says he expects commuters will make significant savings over the six-month period. “For someone to train to work in Brisbane from Mango Hill it costs up to $96 a week. And if you drive to work, you’re stuck in peak-hour traffic every day and paying a lot more than that … [when the policy comes into effect] that same trip from Mango Hill to the City and back would only cost $5 for the whole week.”

You’ll still need to tap on and tap off or buy a paper ticket. Fares for concession card holders will also be discounted to 50 cents per ride.