Tasmanian operators were given some certainty around the future at the TasBus conference
Tasmania operators were both the givers and receivers of good news at the Tasmanian Bus Association (TasBus) Annual Conference this year.
The conference was held last week at Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart.
About 90 people attended the conference sessions while 125 people attended the Conference dinner.
One of the significant announcements to come from the conference was the Tasmanian Government’s plan to continue with 5 + 5 contracts once the current contracts expire.
The conference was also host to the association’s Annual General Meeting as well as the noted Charity Raffle and Auction – and the wallets were wide open.
Recently appointed Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding was the first speaker at the event.
“I’m really excited to be part of building Tasmania’s economy and to truly make a difference to the life of Tasmanians in this role,” he says.
“Public transport has a role in delivering better economical outcomes in our state.”
Hidding says the State Government also recognises the bus and coach industry needs “certainty” to continue moving forward.
“We also recognise that we need to provide operators with the confidence to invest further in their fleets,” he says.
“We plan to offer operators further 5 + 5 contracts.”
Hidding says the new contracts will come with conditions but will offer greater incentives to bus operators.
The aim is to offer better long term service delivery for Tasmanian bus passengers.
TasBus Managing Director Geoff Lewis welcomed everybody to the dinner the Conference Dinner, which also brought the association’s annual Charity Auction and Raffle.
Items up for auction included clothing, jewellery, tyres and services and accommodation.
The auction and raffle raised $10,500 including $5,000 each for charities Ronald McDonald’s House Charities and Heartfelt.