Fares halved on all public buses and ferries in Tasmania until at least 31 December 2025.
What’s the deal?
Half price fares from 1 June 2024 until at least 31 December 2025 on:
- Urban and non-urban bus services — operated by Metro Tasmania, Tassielink, Kinetic, Manions Coaches, Calows Coaches & Area Connect.
- School bus services — contracted by the government.
- Derwent Ferries.
Includes adult, concession, student and child fares.
The daily caps on urban fares paid on a Green Card have also been halved.
Why?
According to the government, the intention of the half price fares is “to deliver cost of living relief for Tasmanians, reduce congestion and encourage first time public transport users”.
How’s it going?
June 2025 — It was announced that the half price fares would not cease on 30 June 2025 as originally scheduled but would continue until at least 31 December 2025. The reduction may continue until 30 June 2026 depending on the state budget.
February 2025 — Figures show Metro Tasmania recorded 1.3% fewer boardings in February 2025 compared to a year earlier when fares were still full price.
Our thoughts
Any change that increases the number of trips people choose to do using public transport is welcome.
However cost isn’t the main or even one of the main reasons people don’t use public transport. This makes intuitive sense given it’s already much cheaper than driving. Level of service is far more important:
Notably, changes to fares are not a recommendation of the McKell Institute’s report into improving Tasmania’s public transport system.
To improve public transport in Tasmania, the focus has to be on improving level of service.
More info
Fares & Fare Finder — Transport Services, Tasmanian Government