Free Public Transport in Tasmania: A Temporary Relief Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Tasmania has introduced a three-month initiative offering free bus and ferry services to residents as the ongoing fuel crisis continues to impact daily life. This move aims to ease the financial burden on commuters, particularly those who rely heavily on public transport.
Pennie Ryan, a regular bus commuter, noticed a significant increase in passengers. “The bus has been noticeably fuller than normal,” she said. “And the car park was also full to capacity when catching the bus.” Similarly, Lyndall Brown reported that her morning bus was “absolutely packed.” She believes that once more people become aware of the free service, usage will continue to rise.
Fuel prices have become a major concern for many Tasmanians. “You do think twice about your trips, so I think a lot more people will be staying at home or catching the buses,” Ms Brown explained. While some commuters have not yet noticed a change in public transport usage, others see the free service as a positive incentive.
Zainab Sadhil highlighted the benefits of the fare-free policy. “Especially now that buses are free as well, there’s more reason to take the bus than drive,” she said. The initiative has received support from several politicians, including the Tasmanian Greens and independent MP Helen Burnett. However, they argue that more bus routes need to be available for the program to be fully effective.
The government reported a 20% increase in bus usage in the last week, even before the fare-free period began. It is worth noting that commuters will still have to pay for the SkyBus and the Bruny Island ferry.
Benefits for Older Tasmanians
Tasmania’s Minister for Ageing, Bridget Archer, emphasized the importance of the initiative for older residents. “We know how important it is for older Tasmanians to be able to participate in our community, to be able to get to their appointments, to go and do their shopping,” she said. For many seniors, bus transport is critical as they may no longer be able to drive themselves.
Brigid Wilkinson from the Council on the Ageing welcomed the announcement, stating it would encourage more seniors to “get out and about.” “It’s not just the cost of petrol, it’s the parking, and the accessibility and ease of getting around the community,” she added.
Public Transport in Tasmania
Compared to larger states, Tasmania has a smaller public transport network, relying mostly on buses. This includes Metro Tas, the metropolitan bus network, and a ferry service along Hobart’s River Derwent. Other free bus services like Tassielink and Kinetic are also available, though there are no train services.
The Tasmanian government estimates that the free transport initiative will cost approximately $850,000 per month, or just over $2.5 million until July. This is significantly less than similar initiatives in other states.
State Responses to the Fuel Crisis
Victoria has taken a different approach by making all public transport free for one month starting April 1. This includes regional train service V/Line and comes with a much higher cost of $70 million. In contrast, New South Wales has ruled out introducing a similar policy, despite calls from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU). The NSW government argues that free public transport would be too expensive.
South Australia’s treasurer, Tom Koutsantonis, has also declined to make public transport free, stating, “Yes, it would be lovely to give everyone free public transport and free car parking and a puppy.” Meanwhile, Queensland already offers cheap public transport rates, with permanent 50 cent fares across all Translink services since 2024.
National Efforts to Address the Crisis
The National Cabinet met today to develop a unified approach to the fuel crisis. The federal government has agreed to cut the fuel excise in half, removing about 26.3 cents per litre from the bowser price of petrol for three months. This measure aims to provide temporary relief to drivers across the country.
