The Greens have promised public transport fare concessions for Brisbane's unemployed in their council election campaign. Photo: Michelle Smith
Unemployed people would have access to public transport concessions in a two-year, $5.1 million Greens election commitment announced on Wednesday.
But such a move could already be on the cards due to the state government's public transport fare review, although Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe's office stopped short of a confirmation on Wednesday.
Greens lord mayoral candidate Ben Pennings said having to pay full fare was a "significant barrier" for those seeking work.
Greens lord mayoral candidate Ben Pennings. Photo: Michelle Smith
"Every state and territory apart from Queensland provides public transport concessions for unemployed people because they recognise that the cost of transport can make it harder to find employment," he said.
"The Greens in council will champion this initiative to at least help unemployed Brisbane residents get ahead."
Eligibility for the fare concessions would be based on the passenger having a federal government-issued health care card, which were available to people on unemployment benefits.
Both the Liberal National and Labor parties rejected the idea in 2012 in the lead-up to that year's state election, which saw the Campbell Newman-led LNP sweep to victory with a massive majority.
The pendulum has since swung back to Labor and the current Palaszczuk government launched its review last year.
A spokewoman for Mr Hinchliffe said that review was due to be handed down "in the first half of this year" and would be followed by a period of consultation.
While she could not speak on the contents of the review, the spokeswoman said concession classes had formed part of its considerations.
"Honouring the Palaszczuk government's election commitment to review the public transport fare system, an expert taskforce was appointed in August 2015 to conduct a comprehensive review of Translink's fare structure," she said.
"The fare review will include consideration of concession classes and form the basis of a new fare strategy in south-east Queensland that is fair and affordable."
Mr Pennings said Queensland Council of Social Service research had shown a quarter of young jobseekers in Brisbane spent more than 10 per cent of their income on transport costs.
"Our plan will particularly assist those who travel from outer suburbs to job interviews in the city centre," he said.
"The Greens in council would fund transport concessions for two years before the next state election.
"By then we hope the old parties will see sense and catch up to the rest of the country."
It was the Greens' second public transport-related announcement this month, following the party's election commitment to provide free off-peak travel for seniors and pensioners.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he would make an announcement about his public transport policy in coming weeks, but called on the state government to reduce public transport fares.
That should include capped daily fares, Cr Quirk said.
"Increasing public transport fares determined by the state government is directly responsible for falls in bus patronage," he said.
"…Under this (Greens) policy, residents living outside of Brisbane, taking public transport not owned or managed by Council (such as trains) would have their transport subsidised by Brisbane ratepayers.
"This is why a coordinated regional approach needs to be taken by the state government, not by a single local council."
Labor lord mayoral candidate Rod Harding said he understood the sentiment behind the Greens' policy.
"Anything that helps claw back the 3.2 million bus passenger trips lost to the network under the LNP over the past two years is welcome," he said.
"Affordability of fares is an issue for Brisbane residents and I welcome the fact that the state is currently undertaking an extensive review.
"This announcement, however, does beg the question of how will the policy be funded and how will it be implemented."
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