Public transport patronage across Tasmania has jumped more than 20% in a week as soaring fuel prices push commuters out of their cars and onto buses.
New figures from Metro Tasmania show Launceston led the surge with a 23% increase, followed by Hobart at 21% and Burnie at 10%.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent said other bus providers have also reported rising numbers.
“Using public transport, particularly with the government’s half price fare initiative, delivers a real difference to weekly budgets,” he said.
He said the state government “remains focused on strengthening public transport services to meet growing demand”.
The numbers come after a week of pressure in parliament, where opposition and crossbench MPs repeatedly challenged the government to do more in response to the fuel situation.
On Tuesday, independent MP Helen Burnet asked Premier Jeremy Rockliff what “new initiatives” the government was considering to increase uptake, noting only 4% of Tasmanians use public transport to commute.
“This energy crisis offers your government the perfect opportunity to act,” she said.
Rockliff pointed to existing half-price fares, which have been extended through June 30, reducing student fares to $1 and adult concession fares to $1.20.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff questioned how people would get to work if they could not afford petrol and called on the government to recruit more drivers and restore bus services.
On Thursday, Vincent told parliament Metro had a “full contingency of drivers” with 40 more in training and was monitoring demand to adjust bus sizes and frequency.
Metro CEO Jessica Paton said the patronage increase showed public transport was a practical choice.
“More people are choosing public transport because it is affordable, reliable and fits into everyday life, particularly as cost of living pressures continue,” she said.
