The Hobart bus network will be reconfigured to make better use of existing resources
A massive review of Hobart bus services is set to see some significant network changes, in a city that relies on bus as its sole mode of public transport.
The network review will result in fewer, but more direct routes and services will operate in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have weekday daytime runs.
The existing Metro Express network will be replaced more direct express services that will stop at all stops in their home suburb and then travel directly to and from Hobart City.
The review includes improved levels of service, including the expansion of bus routes into new areas of Brighton, Old Beach, Tranmere and Oakdowns.
It will also see poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access replaced by more services on key suburban routes.
The Hobart bus network is operated by Metro Tasmania; the largest public transport provider in Tasmania with depots in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.
Metro Tasmania CEO Stuart Wiggins says this is the largest network project undertaken for 30 years and designed to cater to the long term public transport needs of the community.
“Hobart has changed a lot in 30 years and it is timely that we look at our overall Hobart network and services to ascertain if we are making the best use of our infrastructure,” he says.
Wiggins encourages passenger feedback during this process and ensuring services are targeted where they are needed most.
“We have been committed to ensuring the review of the Hobart network has used the best available information and have drawn upon years of feedback from passengers, bus drivers and our resource planners,” Wiggins says.
“We now have a number of route changes proposed that are being discussed through an extensive program of educative road shows where we welcome feedback and discussion.”
“There has been a lot of work undertaken around maximising efficiency and we are confident that the end result of the review will be a better Metro Tasmania service for the long term.”
Public consultation closed on July 24 with many leaving comments on the website and attending the face-to-face feedback sessions.
“We want to reassure our valued passengers that this important review is not a cost saving exercise, rather it is a calm assessment of how best to logically cater to the changing needs of the community now and into the future,” Wiggins says.
Changes to the network are likely to be implemented in November 2015 and finalised bus services and timetables will be publicised prior to implementation, to allow people to plan their travel accordingly.