If you live in Brisbane, you’ll already know it’s one of the best Australian cities to live in. It’s sunny for more than 250 days a year, there are a plethora of local eateries, lush green spaces abound and the city is lively without being overcrowded. But Brisbane City Council has just given locals one more reason to love life in the river city.
From October 1, 2019, senior go card users will now receive free off-peak travel on Brisbane City Council’s buses, CityCats and ferries from 8.30am-3.30pm and 7pm-6am on weekdays, and free travel on buses all weekend. This offer also extends to the newly-announced double-decker CityCat, which will join council’s existing fleet in late 2019.
The move to make off-peak travel on public transport free for older Brisbanites and the introduction of a double-decker CityCat are just some of the initiatives from Council’s ‘Brisbetter’ campaign to improve Brisbane residents’ lifestyle. Other initiatives include fee cuts for small businesses and reduced rates for first-time home buyers.
This free off-peak public transport offer comes at a time when petrol prices are higher than ever, giving some welcome relief to senior’s pockets. There has never been a better time to leave the car at home and catch the bus or ferry.
Furthermore, catching public transport has also been proven to be beneficial for your health – both mental and physical. Instead of enduring the frustrating start-stop of congested roads or the stress of trying to park your car while impatient motorists bank up behind you, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your journey as you glide through the busway or priority bus lanes in the air-conditioned comfort of a Brisbane City Council bus.
On the physical health front, using public transport also encourages healthier habits, as your walk to and from bus or ferry stops allows you to easily build more exercise into your daily routine. Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day has a range of health benefits and can reduce the risk of various conditions, including heart disease and stroke. It also improves cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness, increases muscle strength and endurance and improves management of conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.
As we welcome the warmer days and nights this spring, Brisbane events are in full bloom and the free off-peak travel initiative allows you to fill your social calendar without worrying about how to drive to public events or where you’re going to park your car.
Only a short bus ride from Brisbane City Centre, Mount Coot-tha’s Botanic Gardens boasts a glorious collection of native and exotic plants such as rainforest trees, Japanese gardens, bamboo groves and waterfalls. The Botanic Gardens also host a range of free workshops for those looking to learn a new skill. Explore lessons in sustainable gardening to grow your own vegetables, guided photography tours or art classes at the Richard Randall Art Studio. To find out which bus you’ll need to get there, visit the TransLink website to plan your journey.
Heading closer to the festive season, the Lord Mayor’s annual senior Christmas parties returns with 11 shows from December 2, 2019 to December 6, 2019. For only $5 (including a donation to the Lord Mayor’s charitable trust), enjoy light refreshments and live performances. The parties take place at Brisbane City Hall in the heart of the CBD, so skip the hassle of driving and parking by catching a free bus service. Make sure to check the show times online and plan your journey outside of peak hours to receive free travel. Leaving the car behind means you can even enjoy a drink or two!
If a leisurely journey on the water is more your style, use this free off-peak travel offer to see the city from a different angle aboard one of the many ferries and CityCats services. Relish in the open breeze as you cruise past Brisbane’s key landmarks including Kangaroo Point cliffs, Eagle Street Pier and the Story Bridge, before stopping for lunch at a waterfront restaurant in Hamilton and watching the ships dock at the nearby wharf. Free travel on ferries is available during off-peak times on weekdays using your maroon coloured Seniors travel go card.
If you want to find out more about what to do in Brisbane and how best to utilise the free travel offer, check out Brisbane City Council’s ‘Things to see and do’. This page provides an endless array of dining, music, social groups, markets and events that are now even more accessible for older Brisbane residents. If you’re looking for specific events, head to the ‘What’s on in Brisbane’ page where you can filter your search by type, age, date, venue and series to easily find events that you are most interested in. There are a wide range of events for seniors including yoga, writing societies, language groups, book clubs and many more.
A Senior go card or Seniors card +go is required to access this offer. If you do not already own one, you can buy a card from the TransLink website or at a go card retailer.
Make sure to travel during the appropriate off-peak times on Brisbane buses, ferries and CityCats and touch on and off of your transport to receive free travel. Not touching on and off will result in being charged a fixed fare at the end of your trip. Fixed fares are there to ensure a fair go for all passengers on the Translink network, so remember to always touch on and off.
Brisbane just keeps getting better. Senior go card users now get free off-peak travel on Brisbane busses, CityCats and ferries. Find out more information about eligibility and conditions.
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