Airtrain to take Queensland government to court over price changes
Brisbane’s Airtrain is suing the Queensland government, claiming it is owed about $6 million following the rollout of the state’s 50-cent fare scheme.
The transport service says that the state government has cost it about $6 million in revenue from February 2025 to June this year, stemming from the scheme.
Brisbane’s Airtrain claims they are owed by the government due to the implementation of the 50-cent fare scheme. Cameron Atfield
The 50-cent flat rate is a permanent scheme that applies statewide and covers most trains, buses, ferries and trams, excluding airport stations.
Tensions developed following the reduced fare revenue raked in from Airtrain passengers travelling between Brisbane Airport and the Gold Coast, as well as other stations.
While airport stations are not included in the 50-cent fare prices, the scheme cut prices on the connecting suburban and Gold Coast legs, curtailing the total fare collected on through-journeys.
A ticket on Queensland’s Airtrain costs about $24. While fares previously varied based on starting location, the new 50-cent fare initiative allows commuters to take a train into the city before transferring to the Airtrain using a standard ticket.
Airtrain has since argued that due to the adjustments, it is owed $4.75 million by the Queensland government for revenue adjustments connected to journeys on the state’s airport train line.
The 50-cent scheme, which was backed by Labor and the Coalition, has been one of the most popular government initiatives in the last decade after being made a permanent fixture in February last year.
Since the discount was introduced in August 2024, public transport usage has climbed 18 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
Over the initial six months, fare savings totalled $180 million.
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