Commuter numbers collapsed because of social distancing and work-from-home orders and Google movement data showed that public transport was still 27 per cent below the pre-Covid baseline in Brisbane.

But the State Government said commuter numbers hit 527,000 trips on the south east Queensland network on Tuesday, August 9, beating the next best of 521,000 in March. The August figure put it at about 73 per cent of the pre-pandemic level.

Patronage during the Ekka was about 80 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels and light rail patronage had hit 94 per cent.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the figures were encouraging and showed that Queenslanders had confidence in public transport.

He said the Gold Coast light rail was strongly supported and the Cross River Rail would increase attraction when it opened in 2025. Another 30 railway stations were also in the planning, procurement or delivery stages.