View source for Translink (Queensland)

{{Short description|Public transport agency in Queensland, Australia}}
{{About|the public transport agency in Queensland, Australia|3=Translink (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name = Translink
| type = agency
| logo = Translink (Queensland) logo.svg
| formed = {{start date|2012|11|df=y}}
| preceding1 = Translink Transit Authority
| jurisdiction = [[Queensland]]
| chief1_name = Sally Stannard<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Our-organisation/Director-General.aspx |title=Our Director-General |date=15 June 2023 |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=[[Department of Transport and Main Roads]]}}</ref>
| chief1_position = Director-General (Department of Transport and Main Roads)
| parent_department = [[Department of Transport and Main Roads|Department of Transport and Main Roads]]
| website = {{URL|translink.com.au}}
}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

'''Translink''' is the public transport agency in the State of [[Queensland]], Australia, and a division of the [[Department of Transport and Main Roads]]. Translink was first introduced by the [[Queensland Government]] in June 2003 to orchestrate train, bus, ferry and tram services. Translink works with [[Airtrain Citylink|Brisbane Airtrain]], [[Transport for Brisbane]], [[RiverCity Ferries]], [[Queensland Rail]] and [[Translink (Queensland)#South East Queensland network|other operators]] to provide services. Translink operates an [[integrated ticketing]] system across Queensland to allow the use of one ticket on multiple services.

In July 2008, Translink devolved from being a division of the former Queensland Transport to the more autonomous Translink Transit Authority, before returning to management under the [[Department of Transport and Main Roads]] in November 2012.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-02/qld-parliament-approves-dissolving-translink/4348906 Qld Parliament approves dissolving Translink] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606064839/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-02/qld-parliament-approves-dissolving-translink/4348906 |date=6 June 2013 }} ''ABC News'' 2 November 2012</ref> In January 2023, Translink absorbed the [[qConnect|''qconnect'']] network, becoming responsible for public transport services across the majority of Queensland.

==History==
TransInfo was a phone inquiry and timetable service established in August 1993 by Queensland Transport. It was found to be a very successful service, and in a 1997 research study 99% of surveyed transport users were either very or fairly satisfied with the service.<ref name='TransInfo demand surging'>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Vaughan|date=21 November 1997|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=4715|title=TransInfo demand surging|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=2 April 2010|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610021350/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=4715|url-status=live}}</ref> After the success of TransInfo, in June 2003 the Queensland Government introduced Translink as an agency within Queensland Transport, replacing the former TransInfo service. With a $21.4 million budget, Translink was tasked to introduce common fares, zones and ticket types irrespective of transit mode, and from mid-2004 a smartcard system. Prior to Translink's introduction, combined patronage for public transport services was only around 112 million trips per year.<ref name='New agency to introduce integrated ticketing'>{{cite web|last=Bredhauer|first=Stephen|date=5 June 2003|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=20082|title=New agency to introduce integrated ticketing|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610020114/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=20082|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name='Information on how to get one ticket please to SEQ'>{{cite web|last=Lucas|first=Paul|date=23 April 2004|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=35107|title=Information on how to get 'one ticket please' to SEQ|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610020241/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=35107|url-status=live}}</ref>

Translink delivered the new integrated ticketing system in July 2004. To help facilitate the change-over, Translink employed and deployed throughout South East Queensland 100 assistants. A daily ticket was introduced which allowed unlimited travel on all modes of public transport within the zones specified on the ticket, and for the first time students and aged pensioners throughout South East Queensland received a 50% discount on fares.<ref name='TransLink integrates "three Rs" of public transport'>{{cite web|last=Beattie|first=Peter|date=1 July 2004|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=36221|title=TransLink integrates "three Rs" of public transport|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610020319/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=36221|url-status=live}}</ref> In just two months an extra 2.3 million passengers travelled on transit services, and ticket sales increased by 11%.<ref name='TransLink integrates "three Rs" of public transport'/> Following Translink's introduction, transit passenger numbers grew faster than ever before. In 2005, Translink saw close to a 20% increase in passenger numbers.<ref name='Happy birthday TransLink'>{{cite web|last=Lucas|first=Paul|date=15 July 2005|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=41843|title=Happy birthday TransLink|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610020451/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=41843|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name='TransLink second birthday celebrations mark milestone with muffins'>{{cite web|last=Lucas|first=Paul|date=5 July 2005|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=47050|title=TransLink second birthday celebrations mark milestone with muffins|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610020542/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=47050|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2008, the [[go card]] was rolled out on bus, rail and ferry services in [[Brisbane]] only, as a precursor to its introduction throughout South East Queensland.<ref name='go card ready to roll into Brisbane'>{{cite web|last=Mickel|first=John|date=14 July 2006|url=http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=56609|title=1,000 volunteers to test new smart card|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=23 April 2010|archive-date=20 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520045037/http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=56609|url-status=live}}</ref> The Queensland Government devolved Translink from being a division of Queensland Transport to the more autonomous Translink Transit Authority in July 2008, increasing its profile with new branding. At the same time a 24 hours a day, seven days a week customer information and support phone number was introduced.<ref name='Bligh government to create new transit authority'>{{cite web|last=Bligh|first=Anna|date=9 October 2007|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=54366|title=Bligh government to create new transit authority|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=27 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027164913/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=54366|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name='24/7 access to new transit authority'>{{cite web|last=Mickel|first=John|date=1 July 2008|url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=58935|title=24/7 access to new transit authority|work=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=[[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]]|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610020704/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=58935|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2009, Translink introduced cashless tickets during peak times, only accepting [[go card]]s and pre-purchased paper tickets in an effort to improve service efficiency. In late 2009, Translink scrapped monthly and weekly paper tickets, with plans to eliminate paper tickets by the end of 2010.<ref name='Fare Restructure'>{{cite web |url=http://www.translink.com.au/farerestructure.php |title=Fare Restructure |access-date=23 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417063948/http://www.translink.com.au/farerestructure.php |archive-date=17 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="Cash free zones">{{cite web |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/cash-free-zones-buses-to-go-cardonly-20090930-gbfh.html |title=Cash free zones: buses to go card-only |author=Marissa Calligeros |date=30 September 2009 |work=[[Brisbane Times]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Digital]] |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-date=10 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010131927/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/cash-free-zones-buses-to-go-cardonly-20090930-gbfh.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 4 January 2010, to encourage the use of the [[go card]], off-peak discounts and a direct debit top-up option were introduced. At the same time, Translink increased fares and also announced fares would increase by a further 45% over the following three years.<ref name='Fare Restructure'/> On 5 August 2024, Translink decreased fares to $0.50 across all zones and modes, excluding [[Airtrain (Brisbane)|Airtrain]] and dedicated school buses, as a trial for 6 months.<ref name="50 cent fares are here">{{cite web |title=50 cent fares are here |url=https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/50-cent-fares |website=Translink |access-date=6 August 2024 |archive-date= 6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806015158/https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/50-cent-fares}}</ref> After the 2024 election, the 50 cent fares were made permanent by the new government, thus abolishing the zone system.

== Fares ==
Public transport fares are a 50 cent flat rate across all Translink services, regardless of how far you travel on the network or how you choose to pay (excluding Airtrain).<ref>{{Cite web |title=50 cent fares are here {{!}} Translink |url=https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/50-cent-fares |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=translink.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

==Tickets==
[[File:TransLink Flag Pole Bus Stop Sign.jpg|thumb|Flag-type bus stop]]

=== Paper ticket ===
Single-fare paper tickets are available.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buy and refund tickets {{!}} Translink |url=https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/buy-and-refund-tickets |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=translink.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Inala Plaza bus station.jpg|thumb|[[Inala bus station]]]]

=== ''go'' card ===
{{Main|go card}}

The go card is an electronic [[smartcard]] ticketing system. Passengers must touch the card on a card reader at the start and finish of each journey, and when transferring between services. The fare is automatically deducted from the balance associated with the card.

The following types of go card are available:
*Adult go card is for use by passengers without concessions. Tertiary students, job seekers and asylum seekers will need to have an adult go card in order to have concession fares activated on the card.
*Child go card is for use by children under the age of 15 years and provides concession fares for the holder along with free travel on weekends.
*Concession go card is for use by passengers entitled to a concession, such as secondary students, holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, and holders of a Repatriation Health Card.
*Seniors go card is for use by passengers who have a Queensland Seniors Card issued by the [[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]].
*Seniors+go card incorporates a Queensland Seniors Card and a go card on both sides.
[[File:Smart Ticketing Card Reader.jpg|thumb|A Smart Ticketing reader]]

=== Smart Ticketing ===
Smart Ticketing was introduced across all modes of public transport in South East Queensland between 2020 and 2025. The new system enables passengers to pay for their journey using a contactless credit or debit card (American Express, Visa or MasterCard), including those stored in a smartphone or smartwatch. The new system will accept the legacy go card until a new Translink card is introduced. The new system was successfully implemented on G:link trams in 2021, Queensland Rail trains in 2023, Brisbane City ferries in 2024, and South East Queensland buses in 2025. Contactless payments only allow for adult fares, although this is expected to be rectified in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contactless payments {{!}} Translink |url=https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/contactless-payments |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=translink.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

==South East Queensland network==
{{Create list|section|date=July 2020}}
The Translink South East Queensland network is divided into 7 regions, each region typically operated by different operators. The regions are based largely on local government boundaries:<ref name=":0" />

===Greater Brisbane===
*Airtrain Services Operator – [[Airtrain Citylink]] (non-Translink service)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Non-Translink services {{!}} Translink |url=https://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/bus-train-ferry-tram/non-translink-services |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=translink.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
*Bus Services Operator – [[Brisbane Bus Lines]] 
*Bus Services Operator – [[Transport for Brisbane]]
*Ferry Services Operator – [[RiverCity Ferries]]
*Train Services Operator – [[Queensland Rail]]

===Northern===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Caboolture Bus Lines]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Hornibrook Bus Lines]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Kangaroo Bus Lines]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Thompsons Bus Service]]

===Southern===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Park Ridge Transit]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Clarks Logan City Bus Service]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Kinetic Gold Coast]]

===Eastern===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Mt Gravatt Bus Service]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Transdev Queensland]]

===Western===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Westside Bus Company]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Bus Queensland|Bus Queensland Lockyer Valley]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Southern Cross Transit]]

===Sunshine Coast===
*Bus Services Operator – [[CDC Queensland]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Kinetic Sunshine Coast]]

===Gold Coast===
*Tram Services Operator – [[Keolis Downer]]
*Bus Services Operator – [[Kinetic Gold Coast]]

==Regional network==

The Translink Regional network is divided into 16 regions, each region typically operated by different operators. The regions are based largely on local government boundaries:<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Translink regions and service area |url=https://translink.com.au/about-translink/our-service-area |access-date=5 August 2022 |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805074322/https://translink.com.au/about-translink/our-service-area |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Bowen ===

* Bus Services Operator – [[Trans North Bus & Coach|Bowen Transit]]

=== Bundaberg ===
* Bus Services Operator – [[Stewart & Sons]]

=== Cairns ===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Kinetic Cairns]]

=== Fraser Coast ===

* Bus Services Operator – Wide Bay Transit

=== Gladstone ===

* Bus Services Operator – [[CDC Queensland]]

=== Gympie ===

* Bus Services Operator – Polleys Coaches

=== Innisfail ===

* Bus Services Operator – [[Trans North Bus & Coach]]

=== Kilcoy ===
* Bus Services Operator – Christensen's Bus and Coach

=== Mackay ===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Mackay Transit Coaches]]

=== Rockhampton and Yeppoon ===

* Bus Services Operator – [[Young's Bus Service]]
* Bus Services Operator – [[Kinetic Rockhampton]]

=== Sunshine Coast Hinterland ===

* Bus Services Operator – Glasshouse Country Coaches

=== Toowoomba ===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Bus Queensland]]

===Townsville===
*Bus Services Operator – [[Kinetic Townsville]]

=== Warwick ===

* Bus Services Operator – Haidley's Panoramic Coaches

=== Whitsundays ===

* Bus Services Operator – [[Whitsunday Transit]]

=== North Stradbroke Island ===
* Bus Services Operator – [[Transit Systems]] (non-Translink service)<ref name=":1" />

==Services==
Translink operates various types of services under different names:

===Bus upgrade zone===
{{Main|Bus upgrade zone}}

Bus upgrade zones, commonly abbreviated to BUZ, are a feature of [[Brisbane]]'s [[Transport in Brisbane|public transport]] system. The name is given to high-frequency bus routes operated by [[Transport for Brisbane]], the [[City of Brisbane|Brisbane City Council]] agency that operates the city's public bus services for Translink. All BUZ services run at least every fifteen minutes from around 6:00am to 11:30pm seven days a week and at least every ten minutes during peak hours from Monday to Friday.

Nearly all BUZ routes are express services which provide quick and frequent access to places along major trunk roads, with the exception of routes 196 and 199, which are the only all-stops BUZ service with bus stops within short walking distances of each other between the inner suburbs of [[Fairfield, Queensland|Fairfield]], [[West End, Queensland|West End]], [[New Farm, Queensland|New Farm]] and [[Teneriffe, Queensland|Teneriffe]]. Most BUZ routes are radial, and commence in or near the [[Brisbane central business district|Brisbane CBD]]. However, routes 196 and 199 are again an exception, in that they are cross-town routes that passes through the CBD.

===CityGlider===
{{Main|CityGlider}}

CityGlider is a name applied to a pair of high-frequency bus routes operated by [[Transport for Brisbane]] in [[Brisbane]], Australia. Both are operated by dedicated fleets of buses vinyled in either blue or maroon liveries with a [[Petauridae|gliding possum]] motif. Bus stops serviced by the CityGlider services are identified with signs and painted [[Curb|kerb]]. Both operate 24 hours a day on Fridays and Saturdays.

===NightLink===
{{Main|NightLink}}
NightLink is the name given to the all-night Translink services that leave [[Fortitude Valley, Queensland|Fortitude Valley]], [[Brisbane central business district|Brisbane City]] and [[Surfers Paradise, Queensland|Surfers Paradise]] on the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] late Friday and Saturday nights.

=== Brisbane City Bus Loops ===

==== City Loop ====
The City Loop is a free loop service operated by [[Transport for Brisbane]] servicing stops popular locations such as [[Queensland University of Technology|QUT]], [[Alice Street, Brisbane|Alice Street]], [[City Botanic Gardens|Botanic Gardens]], [[Queen Street Mall]], [[Brisbane City Hall|City Hall]], [[Central railway station, Brisbane|Central Station]], Riverside and Eagle Street Pier.

==== Spring Hill Loop ====
The Spring Hill Loop is a free loop service operated by [[Transport for Brisbane]] servicing stops popular locations such as [[Post Office Square, Brisbane|Post Office Square]], [[The Old Windmill, Brisbane|Old Windmill Observatory]], [[St Andrews War Memorial Hospital Administration Building|St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital]], Brisbane Private Hospital and [[Central railway station, Brisbane|Central Station]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* {{Official website}}

{{Commons category-inline|TransLink (South East Queensland)}}

{{Public transport in Queensland}}
{{Translink (SEQ) bus network}}
{{Translink (SEQ) ferry network}}
{{Queensland Rail rail lines}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Translink (South East Queensland)}}
[[Category:Translink (Queensland)| ]]
[[Category:Public transport in Queensland]]
[[Category:Intermodal transport authorities in Australia]]
[[Category:Bus transport in Queensland]]
[[Category:Ferry transport in Queensland]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Queensland]]
[[Category:Public transport in Brisbane]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in Australia]]