Metro Tasmania has announced transition arrangements for its chief executive position, with current CEO Katie Cooper set to depart the public transport provider in July.
Board Chair Tony Braxton-Smith revealed Cooper will complete her service on 4 July 2025, with the recruitment process for her replacement already underway.
Former Metro CEO Laurie Hansen will serve as interim chief executive until a permanent appointment is made, stepping into the role from the newly created position of General Manager Business Improvement.
“The Board of Metro would like to thank Katie for her dedication and work over the past five years, establishing the modernisation journey for Metro and putting in place the foundations for the future,” Braxton-Smith said.
Cooper’s five-year tenure has seen changes to Tasmania’s primary public transport operator, including the delivery of new buses that now make up half the fleet and the commencement of trials for both hydrogen and battery electric buses.
She also drove the upgrade of customer-facing assets including Metro’s shopfront, website and app, alongside improvements to depots and facilities.
Security upgrades have included driver screens and advanced driver assistance systems, while planning for a new ticketing system.
Braxton-Smith said these initiatives “have set Metro on its pathway to making the journey better for all Tasmanians.”
The state-owned transport company is currently dealing with a driver shortage, which has caused thousands of services to be cut over the past few years.
