Tuesday 31 July 2012

A record 75,000 public transport users claimed free go card trips last week as commuters continue to embrace the government's nine-and-free fare incentive.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the return of most university students last week had boosted the number of free trips taken by 22 per cent.

"Those 75,000 individual go card users took 166,000 free trips last week - an average of 2.2 free trips each card.

"For most public transport passengers that means a free trip home from work on Friday and across the weekend, but we are seeing many students reaching the nine journey threshold early in the week and travelling for free for the rest of the week.

"Passengers are saving almost $500,000 a week since the nine-and-free policy was introduced on 25 June, delivering real cost of living relief for Queenslanders.

"If we are to make public transport a viable alternative to car travel we need to restore confidence by making services more affordable, reliable and frequent."

Under the nine-and-free scheme a regular weekday commuter to the CBD from Oxley or Mitchelton could save up to $220 a year while customers travelling from Varsity Lakes or Palmwoods will save up to $642 each year.