Launceston will get an airport shuttle service under a re-elected Liberal government, filling the gap left when the city’s dedicated airport bus shut down over a year ago.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff will today announce a proposed 12-month trial of SkyBus services linking Launceston Airport to the CBD, following the model of the successful Hobart service launched in 2018.
“We have worked closely with the Launceston Airport to improve and upgrade facilities as part of our plan for Tasmania and this strong partnership has delivered for our economy and community,” Rockliff said.
The announcement comes more than a year after the Launceston Airport Shuttle Bus ceased operations in April 2024.
The family-run business had operated the route for several years before closing, hoping someone would take it over and continue the service.
Since then, travellers have had to rely on taxis costing upwards of $30 each way or turn to rideshare services to make the 15-kilometre journey from the airport to the city.
The new SkyBus service will run seven days a week and begin “as soon as possible”, Rockliff said.
With 159,032 passengers passing through the airport in January alone, he said demand clearly justifies a dedicated shuttle.
“A re-elected Liberal government will build on this success, introducing SkyBus services to Launceston for the first time,” Rockliff said.
“We will work with SkyBus, the Launceston Airport and stakeholders to determine the best location points and timetables to ensure Tasmanians can use this service to their advantage.”
SkyBus has been operating in Hobart since 2018, offering regular connections between the airport and the city. The service is run by transport company Kinetic.
Funding for the Launceston service will come from the “transport services” allocation in the latest state budget, although specific costs are yet to be revealed.
