Tasmania’s public transport investment continues to lag the rest of Australia. This report calls for a vision and a plan, because Tasmania’s bus network fails the people who need it and who should be able to rely on it. The paper is structured in two parts.

Part One updates data from the 2024 report, A better deal: fixing Tasmania's broken public transport system, showing that Tasmania’s spend on public transport continues to be the lowest of all the states both in terms of proportion of budget spend and per capita investment. It shows how millions of dollars are being spent on stopgap measures with little impact on patronage.

Part Two outlines a long-term investment strategy to improve services, reform governance and expand public transport access across the state. It discusses the broader potential for public transport to be a key driver for Tasmania’s economic growth and maximise government spend on other services, such as health and education, by improving access for more people.

The paper concludes with a call for leadership and policy action in the lead-up to the 2025 state election.

Key findings

• Tasmania has the lowest per capita public transport spending of all Australian states.
• Disadvantaged areas like Glenorchy face sparse and unreliable service, reducing access to jobs, education and healthcare services.
• Drivers face abuse, low morale and rising assaults, showing the need to criminalise harassment of transport workers.
• The government’s own criteria show Metro Tasmania fails the test for privatisation.

Recommendations

1. Legislate a 10-Year Public Transport Investment Strategy with a clear funding plan, prioritising service expansion in growth corridors and integration with ferries and future rail.
2. Overhaul Metro Tasmania’s governance with mandatory public reporting on service reliability, coverage and workforce conditions.
3. Amend the Metro Tasmania Act to enshrine community service obligations.
4. Create a Public Transport Workforce Charter to ensure safe, secure and fair jobs.
5. Embed public transport planning in all major housing and urban development efforts.