Kingston bus interchange: Hobart City Deal project sitting unused six months after completion

A key piece of new transport infrastructure funded under the Hobart City Deal is sitting unused months after construction finished because of design bungle. How much it cost >>

A concept design of the Kingston bus interchange, which has not been used since it was completed in January. Picture: Kingborough Council

A key piece of transport infrastructure funded under the Hobart City Deal is sitting completely unused almost six months after construction was finished, frustrating the local mayor and causing headaches for commuters.

The $300,000 bus interchange on the corner of Channel Highway and Gosford Way at Kingston, delivered by the Kingborough Council and funded by the Rockliff government, was supposed to help ease traffic congestion but has not been used by buses since the build was completed in January.

The project was meant to provide dedicated stops for Hobart-bound buses on the busy Kingston CBD strip, as well as free up additional parking and improve the driving experience for motorists in the area.

The empty bus interchange on the corner of Channel Highway and Goshawk Way. Picture: Linda Higginson

Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt said neither Metro Tasmania nor privately operated buses were using the new interchange and that the council was locked in discussions with the State Growth Department to try and address any issues with the design.

“Council is disappointed that the facility has not been used to date and is aware that many community members are keen to see buses return to the main street after temporarily relocating to Goshawk Way,” she said.

Artists impressions of the Transform Kingston project. Picture: Kingborough Council

“We have engaged with State Growth to endeavour to resolve the matter and will be meeting with representatives from this department shortly to discuss the findings of an independent assessment of the design of the interchange.”

Ms Wriedt said the project had cost about $300,000 to build, however $800,000 was set aside for it in the City Deal.

Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt. Picture: Kingborough Council.

A State Growth spokesman said a consultant had been engaged to “ensure the facility can be operated in a safe and efficient manner for both bus operators and customers”.

“State Growth provided comments throughout the planning and design process when invited to do so, including through the public consultation periods,” the spokesman said.

“State Growth has not deemed the interchange unsuitable, however vehicle testing on completion has identified several issues that need to be addressed to ensure the facility is safe, accessible and fit-for-purpose prior to commencing operations.”

The spokesman said the department was working with Kingborough Council and bus operators to ensure the issues with the interchange were “rectified as soon as possible”.

A bus waiting at the temporary bus interchange on Goshawk Way, which is being used while the facility on the main road is not being used. Picture: Linda Higginson

Labor leader and former Kingborough mayor Dean Winter said the interchange should have been ready to use far sooner.

“The bus interchange was supposed to help rebuild Kingston and make it easier to catch the bus,” he said.

“Instead, it seems the Liberals have agreed to the design of the new interchange, spent almost $1m on it, then decided they did not like what was built.

“We have a finished bus interchange, paid for by taxpayers to help ease congestion, and we can’t even use it.”