A massive increase in public transport use since the Liberals brought in free fares reinforces the need to extend the scheme.
Cost of living and fuel prices are hitting Tasmanians hard and many are voting with their feet for buses particularly.
Tasmanians have got behind free public transport in a big way, with a 35% rise in services recorded statewide in the month of April, compared to the same time last year. It’s a huge jump in the number of Tasmanians taking public transport and a ringing endorsement of free fares.
With the conflict in the Middle East driving up prices, free fares are a welcome relief to struggling Tasmanians. Price pressures won’t ease by July, but the government’s free fares are set to end. The Greens are calling on the Liberals to keep helping Tasmanians doing it tough and extend free public transport beyond July 1.
Free public transport doesn’t just help people’s hip pocket — it has flow on effects to people’s health, traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
In response to Greens’ questions in Parliament, the Transport Minister committed to monitoring the impact of free public transport, with a view to extending it in the State Budget. With the success of free public transport clear, it’s time for Minister Vincent and his Liberal colleagues to deliver.
