Kinetic is celebrating record passenger numbers on SkyBus Hobart as the service nears its five-year anniversary
Australasian transport operator Kinetic says that SkyBus passenger numbers have continued to increase at Hobart Airport, setting a record when it comes to the number of travellers choosing to use the city express service.
Ahead of SkyBus’s five-year anniversary in Hobart, the service has boosted its post-COVID recovery with more than 30,000 people travelling on it in January and February, with around 60 per cent of them being inbound travellers.
Following its launch at Hobart Airport in July 2018, Kinetic says SkyBus has become a key tourism player in the state.
Last year, SkyBus introduced Tasmania’s first two electric buses into service, reducing CO2 emissions by 79 tonnes within the first six months of operation.
In 2022, SkyBus also ran its first ‘SkyBusk’ initiative as part of Tourism Tasmania’s ‘The Off Season’ campaign, with live music performances from local artists greeting visitors at the airport and on-board services.
SkyBus Hobart manager Corey Slade says the team at SkyBus was immensely proud and passionate about the service’s role in Tasmania’s tourism economy.
“When people touch down in Tasmania, we are serious about making their first visitor experience a world-class one and that’s something we’ve maintained since day one,” Slade says.
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“We deliver superior service with affordability, reliability and convenience – we’ve invested significantly in enhancing this experience with zero emission buses now making travel cleaner, greener and quieter.
“We’re also seeing an increase in outbound passenger numbers, with people choosing SkyBus to get to the airport.”
Hobart Airport last year announced plans to increase its terminal size twofold as part of its 20-year vision to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. Passengers are expected to rise from 2.8 million to 3.5 million by 2030.
Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter congratulated SkyBus on its achievement.
“SkyBus has been successful because it’s operated a consistent and high quality service that’s frequent and reliable,” Carter says.
“Beyond this, they’ve gone further by innovating with wifi, SkyBusk and zero emission buses, which is leading to more and more passengers choosing to travel with them.”
SkyBus Hobart operates from 4.30am to 10:30pm between Hobart Airport and six stops throughout the city including Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brooke Street Pier, Visitor and Information Centre, Collins Street, RACV Hobart Hotel and The Old Wool Store Apartment Hotel.