No Room on the Bus for Us: Students Stranded These School Holidays

Another school holiday has arrived, and once again, students wanting to use public transport are being let down. Many Kinetic Intercity bus services are already completely booked out.

Most services between Launceston and Hobart, and between Devonport and Hobart, are fully booked this week. For many families, that means children stuck at home – and for some, missing out on precious time with family and friends.

Free public transport is a welcome initiative, but the Government hasn't done the work to manage the consequences. Perhaps they've been too busy with new stationery and promotional material as they adjust to life as "Building Tasmania." Or maybe they just want to do it on the cheap. But this problem is not new. Last school holidays – the first under free public transport – we heard the exact same reports of full intercity buses and disrupted commuters.

I raised the issue directly with Kinetic, who operate these services. They acknowledged the demand, confirmed that they share passenger data with the Department of State Growth, and offered to put on additional buses to meet it. The Department rejected that offer.

I again raised the matter during Budget Estimates. Neither the Transport Minister nor the Transport Commissioner offered a solution – only evasive answers. Which brings us right back to these school holidays, with students once again missing out.

I call on the Minister to urgently address this situation and immediately add the extra services needed between Devonport and Hobart, so students can enjoy their school holidays rather than being stranded at home.