SkyBus services would expand in Tasmania under re-elected Liberal government

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has pledged to expand SkyBus services in Tasmania if the Liberals are re-elected at the 2025 state election.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Liberal Bass candidate Bridget Archer, Launceston Airport CEO Shane O'Hare, TICT CEO Amy Hills and Sebel Launceston's Craig Richman. Picture: Tasmanian Liberal Party

Launceston will finally enjoy a Sky Bus going from the airport straight into the centre of the city if the Liberals are re-elected.

The Sky Bus would be trialled in the northern city for a 12 month period, with details, like cost, to come.

Launceston Airport chief executive officer Shane O’Hare said the SkyBus was needed.

“We’ve heard from the community this option is very valued,” he said.

“As we grow it’s important to offer options to our travellers. We’re going to have a record year this year.”

“It’s a very good time for the Northern economy.”

Liberal Bass candidate Bridget Archer, Premier Jeremy Rockliff,Launceston Airport CEO Shane O'Hare, Sebel Launceston's Craig Richman and TICT CEO Amy Hills. Picture: Alison Foletta

Launceston Airport had a smaller, private bus service which ceased services six months ago.

Mr O’Hare said he predicted “high numbers” of users for the SkyBus once it started.

The service would run so even those on the earliest 6am flight to the latest 10.30pm flights could use the bus system, with a pick-up 10 metres from the airport doors to being dropped off at the St John’s street bus terminal.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he was pleased to announce the Sky Bus trial pledge on a big weekend for the hospitality industry.

“It’s a great weekend for tourism and a great weekend for footy as well,” he said.

Mr Rockliff also announced a continued commitment to a suite of initiatives to support the tourism and hospitality industry.

“We will empower Tourism Tasmania to lead event development, national marketing and industry alignment to ensure regional businesses share in the benefits of a growing visitor economy,” he said.

One in every six Tasmanians is employed in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Tourism in Tasmania is a $3.5 billion industry, with a strong past 12 months reaching that mark after a record year for the Launceston Airport.

“Our tourism industry is so vitally important,” Mr Rockliff said.

“That’s why we continually back our tourism industry.”

Other parts of the tourism strategy that a re-elected Liberal government will back include an additional investment of $38 million to maintain tourism marketing funding over the next four years and masterplan commitment for Cradle, Derby and Freycinet areas.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive officer Amy Tills said it was a positive development for the visitor economy.

“This weekend more than any shows the importance that major events have for our state,” she said.

“We’ve got Hawthorn in the state to play footy match and then making it easier for visitors to come from the airport, is just going to make the experience more seamless.

“With every new improvement we make for visitors, improvements are happening for Tasmanians as well.”

Originally published as SkyBus services would expand in Tasmania under re-elected Liberal government