Eye-watering fuel prices prompting Tasmanian transport revolution, as motorists turn backs on cars

Eye-watering petrol prices are presenting yet another cost of living pressure for Tasmanians; so perhaps it should be no surprise that motorists are turning their backs on cars. THE ALTERNATIVES >>

Tasmanians are increasingly turning to alternative modes of transport as fuel prices continue to skyrocket, with locals taking up bicycles, e-scooters, electric vehicles and motorbikes in an effort to save their hard-earned cash.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has sparked immense uncertainty in global fuel markets, leading to sharp price rises.

According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum, the national average price for regular unleaded petrol rose 14.9c to $2.12 in the week to March 20.

Fuel is most expensive in Tasmania, however, where it reached a weekly average of $2.21 per litre.

It’s these bowser blues that are driving motorists to look for different ways of getting around.

Bicycle Network public affairs manager Tasmania, Alison Hetherington, said higher fuel prices traditionally acted as a “trigger” for greater uptake of bikes in the community.

Alison Hetherington from the Bicycle Network. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“A big event like this can spur quite a few people on to really consider their trips and whether they need to drive places,” she said.

“And we know that most trips for people living in urban centres are quite short and can be done by bicycle.

“We’ve been seeing for a while quite a few more people out on bikes (in Hobart). I would expect it to increase because as people are thinking more about the cost of their transport, they will start to think about the cheaper ways to get around.

“And, of course, riding a bicycle is pretty much free, except for the costs of wear and tear on your bike.”

The state government last week announced that it was making Metro bus trips free until the end of April to help people cope with acute cost of living pressures.

Meanwhile, the Derwent Ferries service, which transports passengers between Bellerive and Brooke Street piers, is free for anyone who presents a Greencard or who is using a form of active transport such as a bicycle or e-scooter.

Derwent Ferries skipper Josh Newton said the ferries had continued to see strong patronage since petrol prices shot up.

Derwent Ferries Skipper Josh Newton. Picture: Eddie Safarik

“Our recent survey indicated that 80 per cent of respondents would be using their own car if they were not on the ferry, and with rising fuel costs I know what I’d rather be doing,” he said.

E-scooter rental business Neuron, which is one of the companies behind the e-scooter trials currently under way in the state’s two major cities, says it’s seen a 15.4 per cent increase in e-scooter trips across Australia in the past fortnight when compared to the previous two weeks.

“Already we are seeing our e-scooter trips continuing to increase in Hobart and we expect this number to continue if petrol prices continue to rise,” Neuron Mobility head of Australia and New Zealand, Richard Hannah, said.

“Over the last two weeks we’ve seen an uplift in demand and we are carefully watching how, and where, our e-scooters are being used and responding accordingly.”

While e-scooters are all the rage right now, Sharon Heritage, the president of the Hobart Motor Scooter Club, hopes more people will consider adopting her preferred form of transport.

Sharon Heritage of Hobart with her Vespa that she is able to park for free around town compensating a little for the recent increase in fuel costs. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The modern (motor scooters) are all four-stroke automatics and they’re very good on fuel,” she said.

“Most tanks on various models of scooters are under 10 litres. But you can probably do about 250km on that, depending on what capacity scooter you’ve got.”

Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia Tasmanian spokesman Damien Codognotto owns a Moto Guzzi V7 bike, which only costs him $25-30 to fill up the tank on today’s fuel prices, lasting him for about 300km.

Furthermore, Mr Codognotto said the ability for motorcyclists to engage in lane-splitting as a means of slashing their commute times was a huge plus.

“When (you’re on), for example, the Tasman Bridge, (and) you’ve got that banked up nose to tail, where there’s space, you can motor through slowly and you’ll be at work or at lunch or whatever you’re doing far, far quicker than anyone in a car,” he said.

On the other hand, there are Tasmanians clamouring for an electric car in the hope that it will help them avoid having to pay exorbitant prices at the bowser.

But Hobart’s Clive Attwater, who is vice-president of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, says people would struggle to get their hands on one at the moment.

Clive Attwater of Bellerive with his Nissan Leaf electric car that is recharged using energy from the solar panels on his home. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“(Most) manufacturers would rather sell in Europe, where a car saves them penalties because they’re not complying with the emissions standards and the amount of money they save in penalties is equivalent (to), depending on the vehicle and the manufacturer, $10-30,000 per car,” he said.

“So why would they send them to Australia?”

Mr Attwater has owned electric cars for the past eight years – he currently drives a Nissan Leaf e+ – and says he’s never looked back.

“I’m very thankful … even without high petrol prices,” he said. “It’s nearly free.”

“You think differently when you’ve got an electric car.”

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