Article: Fewer commuters using SEQ public transport: lobby group

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From ABC News click here!

Fewer commuters using SEQ public transport: lobby group

By Kim Lyell

A public transport lobby group says bus patronage in south-east Queensland has declined since public transport fares increased at the start of this year.

The price of paper tickets increased by 40 per cent.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow says elderly passengers are among those worst affected.

"The only figures that are available at the moment are bus figures for January and we saw a two per cent drop in passenger trips on bus," he said.

"That is clearly related to the fares increase.

"Some people have chosen to go back to cars.

"We have evidence that some seniors have had to restrict their trips because they were unable to afford the 40 per cent increase in paper."

Translink chief executive officer Peter Strachan says it is too early to tell how the fare increases have affected patronage.

"I believe that we will see some price resistance and that would be my experience from across the world," he said.

"But very quickly people will come back to public transport because they will be fed up with sitting in their cars in the traffic day in day out."

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There is a segment on public transport  in Stateline tonight ABC1 television 7.30pm.