More than 100,000 extra people pick buses

Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering real initiatives to ease cost of living pressures for Tasmanians.

Due to high fuel prices we took action with this cost-busting, household budget-saving 5-week fare-free period saw more than 100,000 additional passengers catch the bus on urban routes alone, up 15 per cent.

This has shown that bus travel is a convenient transport option to get people where they need to be without the hassle of tackling traffic or finding and paying for parking.

During the free-ride period we have received great feedback from those who have chosen to try out the bus for the first time or who have come back to buses after a long break.

Tasmania’s largest bus operator, Metro Tasmania, reported a state-wide average increase of 15 per cent, with services in Burnie and on weekends state-wide seeing the biggest jump in passenger numbers. Other operators reported various patronage growth across other services, notably up to 60 per cent growth on the new North West Express service, introduced in early 2021 to connect Devonport and Burnie.

With the free ride period concluding this Saturday, we continue to heavily subsidise fares, investing about $100 million a year in connecting Tasmanians via public transport and a range of concession programs, to keep fares as low as possible.

Bus travel is still one of the most affordable ways to get around with local rides as low as $2.80 for an adult trip, $1.92 concession and $1.52 for students when using a Greencard or Transportme pre-paid smartcard.

Passengers are telling us that riding the bus and leaving the car at home saves them money on petrol and parking, gives them a more relaxing commute where they can read a book, get online or just zone out, and all while avoiding the stress of traffic congestion.

Now that more people have chosen to jump aboard our buses, we hope they stick with it – getting on board is easy, just get a smartcard and find the bus you need at transport.tas.gov.au/publictransport

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