Tasmanian students who rely on buses or the River Derwent ferry for their daily commute are facing an increase in fares as they return to school in 2024.
On January 1, student fares rose to $2 per single trip ticket, up $0.10, while smart card or multi-trip tickets went up by $0.08 to $1.60 per trip.
The Department of State Growth say student fares go up every two years in-line with inflation, with the last increase recorded at the start of January 2022.
“This time, student fares are increasing by 5.3%. Since the last student fare increase, the Hobart’s Consumer Price Index has risen by 10.5%,” a spokesperson said late last year.
“The student fare applies until the end of the calendar year in which a student turns 18, regardless of travel distance, destination or time.”
Free student transfers on multiple buses and rural-only local school bus fare exemptions will remain unchanged, with eligible students still able to obtain a free travel pass for school travel.
The fare increase affects all Tasmanian Government-contracted general access and dedicated school bus services, including Metro services and the River Derwent ferry.
