Free public transport has driven a 17% jump in ferry passengers on the River Derwent, with nearly 92,000 journeys recorded since March.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent shared the figures on Wednesday.
That is about 13,000 more journeys than during the same period last year.
“Free public transport is delivering real cost of living relief and helping Tasmanians save on the everyday cost of travelling to work, education, appointments and other activities,” he said.
Patronage on Metro services in Hobart rose 28% over the same period.
Other bus operators, including Kinetic, Calow’s and Manions’, recorded growth of between 25% and 36.6%.
Vincent said public transport would remain free until June 30, 2027.
He said the Clarence City Council and Hobart City Council were continuing to work through plans to expand ferry services to Lindisfarne and Sandy Bay.
Denny Ibbott, a young skipper with Navigators on the Derwent Ferries, said working on the service had been a positive experience.
“Being able to get from town is a great gateway back to the eastern shore and the boat is often much faster than buses,” he said.
Ibbott said the ferries were carrying between 400 and 600 passengers a day across about eight return trips.
Minister Vincent could not say today how much the free travel policy was costing the state.
Asked whether the state government might keep public transport free permanently rather than introduce a new long-planned ticketing system, Vincent would not commit either way.
“We are looking at the benefits of what we’re doing with public transport now and the amazing numbers that we’re experiencing going onto it and the difference that is making to people’s lives,” he said.
He said a decision would be made before the next state budget, with the department to work through a cost-benefit analysis over the next three to four months.
The new ticketing system, previously estimated to cost $65 million, has been put on hold while free fares continue.
Vincent said the cost had not risen beyond that figure.
