Public transport across Tasmania will soon be halved, with reduced fares for commuters coming into effect on June 1, 2024.
The initiative was a promise made by the Liberals during their election campaign and will apply to both bus and Derwent Ferry fares for the next year.
Newly elected Transport Minister Eric Abetz has been tasked with implementing the cost-saving measure, along with other priorities, within the government’s first 100 days.
“School buses, general access buses, ferries across all fare types including adults, students and concession passengers will benefit from this measure,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said during the campaign.
“This will make a real hip-pocket difference to hundreds of thousands of Tasmanians.”
Under the program, a typical Metro fare will be reduced by half from $3.50 to $1.75, amounting to an average weekly saving of $17.50 for someone who commutes to work by bus every day.
Longer routes will also see significant reductions, with fares between Smithton and Burnie to drop from $16 to $8 and Hobart to Huonville decreasing to $4.40.
Abetz’s other tasks include beginning consultations and planning for the construction of three new ferry terminals at Lindisfarne Bay, Sandy Bay and Wilkinsons Point.
He will also have to set a date in 2024 for the long-awaited rollout of real-time monitoring and tracking for the Metro bus network.
The government will invest $14 million to deliver half-price fares over the next 12 months and $15 million over four years for better service delivery.
