Activities & Itineraries

Brisbane’s Public Transport System Is Getting A Shake Up, Here’s What You Need To Know

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It's been a big week for train catchers and bus riders everywhere. Here's everything going on with Brisbane's public transport right now. 

Brisbane’s Bus, Train And Ferry Fares Will Cost Just 50 Cents From August

In amazing news for anyone currently forking out big bucks to get to and from work each day, Queensland Premier Steven Miles has just announced his plan to make public transport “as close to free as you can get," which means that as of Monday 5 August, all public transport fares will be reduced to a 50-cent flat rate. Yes, really. 

An initiative designed to help alleviate cost of living pressures, the low fares are also hoped to get people ditching their cars in favour of public transport. "Public transport usage has never returned back to pre-COVID levels,” Miles says. “If you drive to work, you’re stuck in peak hour traffic every day and paying a lot more than that.” While the 50-cent fares are currently only planned to be around for six months, if they are uber successful, more permanent changes may be in store. 

For now though, from August you can expect to pay just 50 cents for any fare across the Translink network, whether by bus, train (excluding Airtrain), tram, regional buses or ferry. The flat rate will automatically apply when using Go Cards, paper tickets and debit/credit card payments. You can find out more here.

An Airtrain Trip To Or From The Airport Will Cost Just $11 From August

Further to the low-cost public transport ticket prices, the Miles Government has just announced that Airtrain tickets will be cut in half—good news for anyone who's weighed up the cost of an Uber versus the Airtrain and found it cheaper to get the rideshare. Like the 50c initiative, the reduced fare will be available for six months from 5 August, in an effort to ease cost of living expenses. With tickets starting at just $10.95, you can worry no more about pestering poor friends for a 5am lift or, heaven forbid, parking in the long stay carpark at the airport.

Howard Smith Wharves Is Now On The CityCat Network

Blistered toes everywhere rejoice. There’ll be no more hobbling up the boardwalk, frantically trying to make it to the Riverside Ferry Terminal after a night at Felons. As of Monday 27 May, we are finally being blessed with CityCat services at the Howard Smith Wharves ferry terminal, on top of the already existing CityHopper and Cross River Ferry Services.

It’s now easier than ever to visit Brisbane’s premier dining district. CityCat services will run from 6.10am to 11.30pm on weekdays, and hours will extend to midnight on weekends—good news for our drinking habits. Unlike the CCityHoppers and Cross River Ferries, CityCats travel between 19 terminals along the Brisbane River, all the way from UQ St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton, so no matter what side of Brisbane you’re coming from, you’re covered. 

You Can Now Tap On And Off Trains And Ferries With Your Debit Card 

Leave your GoCard at home, because smart ticketing has finally rolled out across the two thirds of Brisbane's public transport network, with trains and ferries now using the convenient method. Thanks to a (long overdue) tech upgrade, you can now tap on and off using your debit or credit card, even those stored on your phone. While those on concession fares will still need to use their GoCards, full paying adults can ditch one extra card from their wallet (who even has one of those anymore?). Fingers crossed the system hits buses soon, because carrying around slices of plastic is so 2003. Find all the nitty gritty here

Image credit: Philip Bouchard | Flickr

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