Brisbane residents have 82,000 fewer bus services than a decade ago due to a lack of state government funding, the council says, as it warns the system may not be able to cope with the new 50-cent fare trial.
Brisbane City Council said commuters could face longer waits, fewer services, and worsening congestion if the state government does not invest in better buses.
Brisbane City Council is concerned the bus network will not be able to cope with increased demand amid the 50-cent fare trial. Credit: Tammy Law
The Queensland government currently fully funds bus services in Logan, Ipswich, Redlands, Gold Coast and Moreton Bay, however it contributes just over 70 per cent to Brisbane, the council says.
In a new campaign, “Back our Buses”, announced on the weekend, Brisbane council said it was the only one in the state that helped subsidise public transport, with the outlay equating to more than 17 per cent of the city’s $4 billion budget.
The LNP council is Australia’s largest local government.
To ease cost-of-living pressures, the Miles government last month announced all public transport trips in Queensland would become as “close to free as you can get” – 50 cents. It was estimated this would save commuters $150 million in 2024-25.
Treasurer Cameron Dick, Premier Steven Miles and Transport Minister Bart Mellish announce the six-month 50-cent public transport fares, beginning in August.Credit: Steven Miles / LinkedIn
The state government at the time of releasing its budget said public transport use remained about 13 per cent below pre-COVID levels, but lowering fares would encourage more people to leave their car at home, easing road congestion.
But the council warned there was a risk the city’s bus network would not have the capacity to meet the increased demand anticipated during the 50-cent fare trial from August 5.
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