kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus company launches snow tour that can run the Pinnacle Rd closure

UPDATED: The much-anticipated bus service to the icy top of Mt Wellington is finally ready for passengers. Find out the timetable and see the video.

Maggie, 4, and Jo O’Reilly, of West Hobart, took the bus to the top of Mt Wellington on Wednesday. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

AFTER weeks of waiting, the all-weather bus service to the top of Hobart’s snow-capped mountain has been launched.

The kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus snow tour — that can circumvent the Pinnacle Rd closure — was opened by company managing director Jonathon Gregory at The Springs at noon.

He said the all-weather service could seat 27 passengers, was only 8.8m long and narrower than a full-size bus.

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During the peak winter season the bus was fitted with alpine tyres and snow chains.

When there was snow on the mountain the trip would be a two-stage journey, from Brooke Street Pier to The Springs and then on to the summit, Mr Gregory said.

He said he expected many tourists to take the city to snow route, with locals choosing to drive to The Springs and hop on from there.

“The bus climbs Pinnacle Rd with ease, ensuring passengers enjoy a quiet, smooth and relaxing journey,” Mr Gregory said.

“The round trip from the city to the Big Bend carpark, where passengers can play in the snow, will be around 2.5 hours, with the trip from The Springs and back around an hour.

“Our seven drivers were all trained interstate on the Victorian snowfields, with special training in emergency management, risk assessment and environmental management.”

The bus was supposed to be up and running before the 2019 winter but has been waiting to receive a permit from the Wellington Park Management Trust to operate a service on Pinnacle Rd when it was closed due to ice and snow.

The kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus winter May-September timetable (May vary on snow days).

An analysis of the Hobart City Council Pinnacle Rd notifications revealed the route to the summit was closed for 184 of 264 hours between May 26 and June 5, including for five entire days.

Driving to the top of kunanyi/Mt Wellington proved impossible for four consecutive days, with the road shut from 6.10pm on May 26 to noon on May 31.

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Snow on kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Picture: PATRICK GEE