Starting 5 August 2024, train passengers travelling to Brisbane Airport will enjoy half-price tickets for a six-month trial period.
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This initiative, the result of negotiations between the State Government and Airtrain, aims to provide significant cost-of-living savings for Queenslanders.
Under the new pricing, ticket costs from Central Station to the Airport will be slashed from $21.90 to $10.95 for go card and EMV users, and to $11 for paper ticket holders. This reduction is part of a broader initiative to make public transport more affordable, following the State Government’s earlier announcement of 50-cent fares on all Translink services statewide starting on the same date.
With the inclusion of Airtrain in this initiative, commuters can now travel from as far as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to the Airport for as little as $11.50. This significant train fare cut is expected to drive more passengers towards using the Airtrain, easing road congestion and reducing the stress associated with airport parking.
Enhanced Accessibility for Airport Workers
In a move to further enhance ticketing options for airport workers, efforts are underway to make Airport staff tickets available at Queensland Rail’s Central Station. Currently, these tickets can only be purchased at Brisbane Airport. As part of the fare reduction, the price of Airtrain’s Worker Ticket will be halved, with the Weekly Worker Ticket dropping from $43 to $21.50 and the Worker Book of 20 tickets decreasing from $120 to $60.
Premier Steven Miles emphasised the dual benefits of this initiative: making public transport more attractive and affordable for both Queenslanders and tourists, and alleviating the burden on the state’s road network.
“There has never been a better time to leave the car and the stress of airport parking behind and enjoy the half-price train trip instead,” he stated. He highlighted the growing population and increasing number of visitors to Queensland as key factors driving the need for more efficient public transport solutions.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish, reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting public transport use. He acknowledged the foundational work of the former LNP government led by Rob Borbidge in negotiating the Airtrain deal and pledged ongoing efforts to develop a long-term solution for public transport to the airport.
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For more details on Airtrain services and the new fare structure, visit www.airtrain.com.au.
Published 6-June-2024
