The Queensland government’s cheap public transport trial has seen people embark on 15 million trips across the south-east of the Sunshine State in the first month alone.

Launched on 5 August, the six-month Australia-first trial caps trips across the region’s entire public transport network at 50 cents.

Latest government figures show the scheme has so far been a success – recording a 14.5% increase in trips compared to the same period last year and passing pre-Covid levels by 2.4%.

Government number crunchers have found:

• ferry trips were 40.6% higher
• light rail trips 18.6% higher
• rail 16% higher
• buses 12.1% higher.

Weekend use of the network has proved especially popular recording an increase of between 30% and 40% above the comparative pre-Covid period.

“Weekend trips have experienced a massive increase as customers take advantage of 50 cents to get out and about in the region,” transport minister Bart Mellish said.

Data also shows the fare cut has saved public transport users more than $29 million – just over $1 million a day.

“Each trip represents a massive saving to commuters,” premier Steven Miles said. “That’s money Queenslanders can put towards the essentials or save for a rainy day.”

He added: “I want to see this level of success continue as we power through the six-month trial.”

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