The Gagebrook and Herdsmans Cove services in Tasmania have been partially suspended following a recent influx of rock-throwing incidents in the area.
Effective from October 8, 2024 and remaining in place until further notice, Route 522 will now commence and terminate at Cove Hill Fair after 8.00pm.
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The decision to partially suspend the services comes after concerns were raised by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union Tasmanian Branch.
Services in the Gagebrook area were temporarily suspended earlier in the year for similar incidents, with drivers recording around 50 incidents of rock-throwing in the first few months of 2024. One particularly concerning incident saw a 10cm-wide rock hit the windscreen of a bus at driver’s-head height.
The restrictions were only lifted in August.
Tasmania Police Inspector Jim Semmens says such incidents of rock-throwing were “very dangerous”.
“Throwing rocks at any vehicle is unacceptable and dangerous, particularly in the case of heavy vehicles like busses as it places the driver, passengers and members of the community in danger,” Semmens says.
A Metro Tasmania spokesperson says the partial suspension will remain in place until further notice as they continue to monitor the situation.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to monitor safety incidents and prioritise the safety of our drivers and customers,” the spokesperson says.
Monday to Saturday services will see the Route 522 departing Hobart City for Gagebrook via Bridgewater at 8:10pm, 9:10pm, 10:10pm, 11.10pm (Monday to Thursday) and 12:10am (Friday and Saturday) before terminating at Cove Hill Fair. They will not continue into Herdsmans Cove and Gagebrook.
The Route 522 services scheduled to depart Gagebrook at 8.44pm, 9.43pm (Monday to Thursday) and 10.43pm (Friday) will instead commence from Cove Hill Fair at 8.58pm, 9.58pm (Monday to Thursday) and 10.58pm (Friday).
On Saturdays, the services scheduled to depart Gagebrook at 8:37pm, 9:37pm and 10:37pm will instead commence from Cove Hill Fair at 8:54pm, 9:54pm and 10:54pm.
Sundays and public holidays will see departures at 8:10pm and 9:10pm before terminating at Cove Hill Fair.
Services to/from Gagebrook that are not listed will operate as normal.
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