Many of us can’t imagine living life without a car. With so many places accessible only by cars, is it possible to live without one in Brisbane? The answer to this question depends on where you live, work and how you like to spend your free time. Some people prefer to live without a car, since owning one is costly and a significant cause of pollution. Driving everywhere rather than walking or biking can also endanger your health. You might be wondering can you live/work in Brisbane without a car? How good are Brisbane’s public transport services?
Lucky for you, Brisbane public transport makes travelling easy. The city uses buses, trains, ferries, taxis and other transport services. You won’t get stuck in the middle of anywhere as transport services operate day and night. You only need a TransLink Go Card to travel on all buses, trains and ferries through the city. You can also use the TransLink website to find out how to use public transport to move around the city. You need to charge your Go Card with money to be able to use trains, buses or ferries.
Now that you know what you need for using public transport in Brisbane let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of living car-free.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages of living car-free
The advantages of a car-free life are:
- Saving money, as owning cars costs a lot. You have to pay for fuel, insurance and maintenance. However, there are ways to keep costs low. For example, you can save fuel costs
- Environmentally friendly. Driving a car and especially for only one passenger, causes air pollution
- Getting more active. Taking walks or riding bicycles can help you keep in shape. Even short commutes to the bus stop positively affect your overall health
You may ask, what are the downsides of living car-free then?
- Some places are hard to get to without a car
- Driving takes less time compared to walking, cycling or using public transportation
- Running errands without a car is much more challenging since you have to carry everything around
As you can see, going car-free might not be an option for everyone. It depends on your lifestyle and where you live. But with alternative transportation options, it’s becoming more accessible than ever. But if you are determined to sell your car and go car-free, we have a post on how to prepare your car for selling.
So, what are the public transport options in Brisbane?
Brisbane’s Public Transport
Buses
It may take you a few trips to get the hang of it, but you’ll find Brisbane’s bus routes are pretty easy to figure out. The busways in Brisbane are an efficient way of moving around the city. You can explore Brisbane’s neighbourhoods through the bus service that covers Central Business District (CBD), major shopping centres, railway stations and ferry terminals. You can catch the free City Loop and Spring Hill loop buses in the CBD, which provide services every 10 minutes. You can travel between downtown hotels in Brisbane to attractions such as Queen Street Mall and King George Square. The CityGlider services also arrive every 5-15 minutes. You can travel from West End to Teneriffe using the Blue CityGlider and Ashgrove to Stones corner using the Maroon CityGlider.
You can check TransLink’s website to plan your journey throughout Brisbane using the bus network. You can also find the busway maps of South East, Northern, and Eastern parts of Brisbane and check the timetables.
Brisbane Metro
The Brisbane Metro is a high-frequency tram with two routes covering CBD every 3 minutes. The Brisbane Metro will be a crucial part of Brisbane’s transport network linking the city to the suburbs. The trams are all-electric vehicles with zero emissions. The high frequency of service makes it easy to use for everyone since you don’t need to check any timetables. The trams work 24 hours on the weekends. Metro Line 1 operates along dedicated busways from Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street, and Metro Line 2 covers Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to the University of Queensland.
Train network
Brisbane’s public transport has a network of fast electric trains, which is an excellent way of travelling across the city and suburban areas. Major stations are Central Station and Roma Street Station, and trains run from early morning to late at night. The rail network consists of ten suburban lines and three interurban lines. From Brisbane CBD, you can reach as far as Varsity Lakes (South), up to Gympie (North), and from Rosewood (West), up to Moreton Bay (East).
The city also uses an Airtrain service to cover Brisbane Airport directly to the city and the Gold Coast. The Airtrain is also accessible using a Go Card, and there is a service available every 15 minutes. You can see the timetable for Brisbane’s Airtrain from their online website.
CityCat and ferry services
The ferry services or catamarans are an enjoyable way of getting around Brisbane’s CBD, with no traffic to get caught in and better views compared to your own car. During peak hours, the quick service is advantageous compared to other transferring services. The ferries operate throughout the week from morning to night. The CityHopper ferry is free and covers the city centre and South Bank. The CityCat ferries need a Go Card or a single ticket, and you can travel between the University of Queensland and Northshore Hamilton.
Taxis
You can catch taxis throughout the city, which is an efficient way of travelling in Brisbane. There are Yellow Cabs (Orange taxis), Black and White Cabs, and 13Cabs services operating in Brisbane.
When you need to travel to part of the city where Brisbane’s public transport do not cover, ridesharing applications are another excellent method of travelling. You can use your mobile phone to call a ride using several available apps. Apps such as Uber, DiDi, Ola, Lyft and GoCatch operate in Brisbane.
We can help you live car-free!
If you’re trying to live car-free in Brisbane without financial burdens and help the environment, perhaps it’s time you started considering using car removal services. Our free car removal Brisbane will remove your unwanted car. If you live in Brisbane or Gold Coast, give us a call, and we will offer you good Cash For Unwanted Cars.
FAQ:
Is it possible to live car-free in Brisbane?
It depends on your living conditions, where you live, where you work, and how often you travel. In the inner suburbs or the city, it’s easier to live car-free, compared to areas further from the city centre.
How can I sell my car in Gold Coast?
If you are looking to sell your car and live in Gold Coast, visit Cash For Cars Gold Coast. We have free car removal and offer you competing prices.
How can I use public transport in Brisbane?
The best way to use public services in Brisbane is a Go Card. You can buy one from convenience stores or train stations throughout Brisbane. With the Go Card, you can use buses, trains, ferries or the Airtrain.
Where can I see the timetables for public transport in Brisbane?
The TransLink website covers all the information you need, such as timetables, ticket prices, and how to plan your journey through Brisbane.