The cost of travelling to Brisbane Airport on the privately operated Airtrain service could be subsidised by the state government.
The news comes a day after Premier Steven Miles announced that from August 5, all public bus, ferry and train travel across the state will drop to just 50c under a six-month trial.
Speaking to ABC Radio Brisbane this morning, Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the government had submitted an offer to Airtrain operators to subsidise fares to and from the airport for a period of time, with discussions likely to continue in the next few weeks.
“I’ve made an offer to Airtrain, we’ve been in discussions with them for a while to reduce fares to the airport,” Mellish said.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish says he is waiting to hear from Airtrain operators about the government’s offer to subsidise travel to and from the airport.Credit: Matt Dennien
“I’d be keen for them to come to the party to reduce fares … We’ve put the offer to them, so the ball’s in their court I suppose.”
The service is owned by Liverpool-based Universities Superannuation Scheme, which bought the entity in 2013, with Queensland Rail slated to take over the contract in 2036.
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A return paper ticket from Brisbane’s Central Station to the airport costs $41.80 on the private service.
Increased travellers and rising pressure on Brisbane’s terminals prompted Federal Transport Minister Catherine King to write to Brisbane Airport Corporation, Brisbane City Council and the state government in January about meeting demand ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Almost 20 million passengers travelled through Brisbane Airport’s two terminals in the year to November 2023. That number will increase to 30 million when Brisbane hosts the 2032 Games.
with AAP