Metro Tasmania says 2.2 per cent increase in passengers statewide is ‘very encouraging’

METRO Tasmania says its revamp of Hobart bus services has resulted in “unheard of” increase in passengers.

METRO Tasmania says its revamp of Hobart bus services has resulted in “unheard of” increase in passengers.

The state-owned bus company’s annual report described a 2.2 per cent increase in passengers statewide as “very encouraging”.

Metro chairwoman Lynn Mason said the first six months of the new southern timetable led to a 3.5 per cent increase in first boardings — a figure “unheard of for mature public transport operators”.

MORE: METRO LAUNCHES NEW TIMETABLE

Under a major review of Hobart services announced late last year, passengers were promised more frequent services, better weekend and evening timetables, and more express trips on key routes.

The changes attracted a backlash over bus routes being removed in favour of new ones.

The use of the cashless Greencard system has also increased markedly since last year, up from 64 per cent to 82 per cent.

Customer surveys showed the main reasons Tasmanians caught the bus were shopping, followed by going to work, visiting friends and accessing health or welfare services.

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Originally published as Metro Tasmania says 2.2 per cent increase in passengers statewide is ‘very encouraging’