The cost of travelling to Brisbane's domestic and international airport terminals on the privately-operated train service could be subsidised by the Queensland government.
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The news comes a day after Premier Steven Miles announced that from August 5, all public bus, ferry and train travel across the state will drop to just 50c under a six-month trial.
The government hopes the trial will encourage more commuters to use Translink services as public service usage remains around 13 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.
However, the bargain-basement travel won't apply on trains to-and-from the airport as the Brisbane Airtrain has a monopoly, following a deal signed in 1998.
The service is owned by Liverpool-based Universities Superannuation Scheme that bought the entity in 2013, with Queensland Rail slated to take over the contract in 2036.
However, Transport Minister Bart Mellish says the government has submitted an offer to AirTrain operators to lower fares during the trial.
A return paper ticket from Brisbane's Central Station to the airport costs $41.80 on the private service.
"This is a really strange contract ... that was entered into more than 20-years ago," Mr Mellish told ABC radio Brisbane.
"It is a privately-run service so we can't direct them to set the fares as we can with the rest of the network.
"I've made an offer to AirTrain, we've been in discussions with them for a while to reduce fares to the airport.
"We're keen to work with the AirTrain operators to see what we can do to drop fares."
The government will offer to subsidise fares to-and-from the airport for a period of time, with discussions likely to continue in the next few weeks, he said.
Buses are prevented from accessing the terminals with travellers left to either opt for rideshare or taxi options.
Increased travellers and rising pressure on Brisbane's terminals prompted Federal Transport Minister Catherine King to write to Brisbane Airport Corporation, Brisbane City Council and the state government in January about meeting demand ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Nearly 20 million passengers travelled through Brisbane Airport's two terminals in the year to November 2023.
That number will increase to 30 million when Brisbane hosts the 2032 Games.
The 8.5-kilometre train line to the airport was completed in 2001 for about $200 million.
Australian Associated Press
