free bus travel tasmania

Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of tasmania, 22 march 2022 michael ferguson, minister for infrastructure and transport, try our buses for free: delivering cost of living relief with free bus travel.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government remains focussed on matters Tasmanians really care about.

To alleviate the impact of current higher fuel prices, all public bus travel across the state will be free for five weeks – starting on Monday March 28.

The Tasmanian Government will foot the bill for this initiative, which has the dual purpose of supporting family budgets and encouraging commuters to switch from private car travel to public transport.

While higher fuel prices are due to global fuel market uncertainty, we understand the impact it is causing on cost of living pressures.

The Tasmanian Government heavily subsidises Metro and other private providers of public transport around the state. At this point, we see a temporary, highly attractive measure such as free bus travel as one option the Tasmanian Government can activate to ease cost of living pressures.

Importantly, it also encourages Tasmanians who aren’t already in the habit of catching buses to give them a try and enjoy the convenience and price advantage.  Congestion is assisted by this type of successful public transport “mode shift”.

Fares will be free across all operators – school buses and general access buses – and across all fare types (adult, concession and students). The incentive starts on Monday 28 March and runs until the end of April.

Our heavily subsidised fares are already attractive when compared to the cost of running, insuring, maintaining and parking cars. However with this special incentive, this means an adult travelling on a Metro urban zone 1 trip will save $5.60 a day. Travellers from Sorell to Hobart can save $15.20 on a return trip, those travelling from Westbury to Launceston will pocket a benefit worth $22.80 and from Port Sorell to Devonport $27.80 for return trips.

Better still, bus passengers can read a book or do some work while travelling, and not have to worry about finding a place to park at the end of journey.

The Government will ask Public Transport operators to monitor and assess services during this special initiative due to the potential for significant new demand. We also thank passengers in advance for their patience if their preferred service becomes busy, particularly during peak periods.

More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson

More Media Releases from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

• Education and skills
• Bus pass for school students

Apply for or renew a student bus pass for free travel

Apply for or renew a free bus pass for students travelling for school purposes.

• A student bus pass provides eligible students with free or discounted travel between home and school.
• There are 3 types of student bus passes - free travel, free transfer or special circumstances.
• You cannot apply online for a special circumstances bus pass.

On this page

About applying for or renewing a student bus pass for free travel, how to apply or renew, what you need to apply or renew, can i apply or renew, proving your identity, how much it costs, payment options, more information.

There are 3 types of student bus passes:

Free travel pass

This pass provides free travel between home and school for eligible students on fare-charging services.

Free transfer pass

This pass is for eligible students that must use more than one school bus to travel between home and school. The services must charge a fare and be operated by different companies.

Students pay a fare to the same operator in the morning and afternoon. For example, in the morning, pay a fare on the first trip then travel free on the other(s). In the afternoon, travel free on the first trip(s) and pay a fare on the last trip.

Special circumstances

This pass is for eligible adult students on general access services. It provides discounted or free travel for some or all of a journey between home and school.

The information you need depends on the type of pass and how you apply:

Free travel or transfer bus passes

To apply or renew online you need to:

• complete the online application form .

If your child has a concession, you need to:

• complete the online application form , and
• provide concession details.

Please note that a copy of the concession card is needed for children under the age of 16, digital cards are not accepted .

Free travel or transfer bus passes - applying or renewing at a service centre

You must bring:

• a completed application form (PDF, 233KB).

If your child has a concession, you must bring:

• a completed application form (PDF, 233KB), and
• concession card details.

Please note that a copy of the concession card is needed for children under the age of 16, digital cards are not accepted.

Applying for a special circumstances pass

These passes can only be applied for in person at a service centre. You must bring a:

• completed application form (PDF, 724KB)
• concession card (if you have one), and
• letter of support from your school Principal, Assistant Principal or Student Coordinator.

Please visit Transport Services for more information about what you need included in the letter of support.

Each pass has different requirements.

Your child must be:

• under 18 or turning 18 in the year of study
• a full-time student (600+ hours per year), enrolled at an education facility recognised by the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

Your child must also meet one of the following:

• hold a concession card
• live within the school's intake or home area
• be under a care and protection order.

Free transfer student bus pass

• under 18 or turning 18 in the year of study, and

Your child must also need to use more than one bus to travel between home and school. The buses must be operated by different companies and all charge a fare.

Special circumstance bus pass

You must be:

• aged 18 or older on 1 January in the year of study
• a full-time student (600+ hours per year) enrolled at an education facility recognised by the Department for Education, Children and Young People, TasTAFE, University of Tasmania or College of English, and
• studying at a level that is no higher than is offered to any Year 11 or Year 12 student at a senior secondary college.

You must also have been unable to complete the equivalent of 2 years post year 10 study due to circumstances beyond your control.

These circumstances could include:

• you started school later in life
• your education was interrupted due to disability, illness, family circumstances, frequent changes to school, or other circumstances
• you need more time to complete training and education because of disability
• you were enrolled overseas or interstate throughout your education
• you have humanitarian entrant status.

You do not need to prove your identity.

There is no cost associated with this service.

There is no payment required for this service.

• The Tasmanian Government funds approximately 300 school bus services, delivered by over 100 bus operators state-wide.

Please visit Transport Services for more information on applying for or renewing a student bus pass for free travel.

Related Information

• Apply for a replacement student bus pass for free travel

Was this page useful?

What did you like about it.

Don't include any personal information. If you need a response, send an enquiry instead.

How can we make it better?

Provide free public bus travel, expand network, TasCOSS says

TasCOSS says that the government should subsidise Metro Tasmania to make bus travel free for students, seniors and Tasmanian on low incomes in next year's state budget.

Subscribe now for unlimited access .

(min cost $ 0 )

Login or signup to continue reading

Additionally, the peak social services body believes the state's existing public transport network should be expanded throughout Tasmania with special attention towards the needs of young people, older people with disabilities.

TasCOSS has made recommendations to the government in its 2024-25 budget submission in the areas of housing, food insecurity, energy affordability, transport, and health and mental health.

It stated median rents in Tasmania had increased by more than half over five years and interest rate increases over the past 18 months had added $14,000 to annual average mortgage repayments.

It has called on the government to cap rental price increase to Consumer Price Index increases, provide better regulation of the short-stay sector and increase investment in homelessness and housing support sectors.

TasCOSS wants the government to extend the Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates program over the budget's forward estimates and review other concession arrangements which are no longer fit for purpose.

It said funding for food relief programs needed to be drastically increased, highlighting that the CPI food index had increased by almost 14 per cent over the past two years.

Other initiatives in TasCOSS budget submission include:

• investment in mobile health and information hubs to provide outreach health care, social and mental wellbeing support, health information and navigation support in rural and regional areas;
• free public bus services for students, seniors, concession card holders and Tasmanians on low incomes;
• introducing a telecommunications concession scheme for low income households;
• and for the government to work with telecommunications providers to develop a low-cost broadband product available for low-income households.

Matt Maloney

Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.

Advertisement

Get the latest Burnie news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy .

Archive , Industry News

Free bus travel in tasmania.

In response to the rising cost of fuel in Australia, the Tasmanian state government has announced free bus travel for five weeks from March 28.

The state government will be funding the initiative, which it hopes will both alleviate the strain on family budgets and encourage more commuters to utilise public transport.

The free fares will run across all operators and fare types.

These fares are already heavily subsidised to ensure public transport remains cheaper than driving a car but the goal of this initiative is to show the benefits of bus travel, says the government.

It will ask public transport operators to monitor and assess services during the free travel period due to the potential for significant new demand.

Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said there were two reasons for the initiative in an interview with the national broadcaster.

“We want to help families with the cost of living with high fuel prices, but as well we see this as a great opportunity to give people the encouragement to give our buses a try,” he said.

“At the end of the incentive, we hope and expect that many people would have fallen in love with public transport [and] found it is user friendly for them.

“It is something the government can do. We are not able to solve the high petrol price – that’s a global phenomenon which is occurring as a direct result of what is going on in Europe at the moment.”

The Victorian Greens has called for a similar scheme for public transport in Victoria.

Victorian Greens public transport spokesperson Sam Hibbins said Victorians are struggling with climbing fuel prices.

“Free public transport would be a huge relief for families, young people and renters who are struggling to make ends meet after a tough two years, and would help get people back onto public transport,” he said.  

“An incentive for Victorians to ditch their petrol guzzling cars in favour of more sustainable forms of transport will accelerate the shift toward cheaper, cleaner transport.”

As reported in ABC,  Transport Canberra successfully  trialled Scania’s Opticruise gearbox to lower fuel consumption by 10 per cent in its buses.

BLK Auto has also announced it will be  increasing the number of hydrogen  buses it supplies to help lower the need for fossil fuel-dependent vehicles.

Programs such as these are ensuring the bus industry can continue serving the community even with rising fuel prices

Below is the list of concessions available in the transport category. To view each concession, click on its name. To expand or collapse the information for every concession use the button below:

STUDENT TRAVEL

Adult student transport concessions.

Adult students are eligible for adult concession fares on public bus and ferry services when:

• aged 18 years or older on 1 January in the year of study, and
• a full-time student (600+ hours per year) enrolled at an education facility recognised by the Department for Education, Children and Young People, university, TasTAFE or Tasmanian College of English.

A further 20% discount is applied when using a smartcard like Greencard, or Transportme, or a 10-trip ticket, where available.

For more information:

Contact your bus service operator.

Adult students may be eligible for a special circumstance student bus pass which allows them to travel at the child student fare on one or more fare-charging bus services between 6.00 am and 7.00 pm on school days, if they:

• are aged 18 years or older on 1 January in the year of study
• a full-time student (600+ hours per year) enrolled at an education facility recognised by the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
• are studying at a level that is no higher than is offered to any year 11 or 12 student at a senior secondary college, and
• have not had the opportunity to complete the equivalent of two years post-year 10 study due to circumstances beyond their control.

If the student holds a Concession Card, they may be eligible to travel for free.

Department of State Growth Phone: 1300 135 513 Email: [email protected] Web: www.transport.tas.gov.au

A travel allowance of 41 cents per kilometre (45 cents for students living on the West Coast) may be payable to:

• apprentices and trainees who have to travel more than 42 kilometres return to attend off-the-job training.

Where apprentices and trainees must travel within Tasmania for training, an accommodation allowance of $55 per night is available to:

• apprentices and trainees who have to travel more than 60 kilometres each way to attend training with a registered training organisation within Tasmania.

Where apprentices and trainees are required to travel from Flinders Island, King Island and Cape Barren Island, an accommodation allowance of $55 per night is available, including weekends, if attending for two or three weeks. The Tasmanian Government will:

• provide $60 towards airport transfer and
• pay the full cost of return airfares paid for travel to attend their Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Tasmania.

Where apprentices and trainees are required to travel interstate for training, the Tasmanian Government will:

• contribute to the cost of airfares
• pay an accommodation allowance of $100 per night.

Skills Tasmania Phone: 1800 655 846 Email: travelclaims @skills.tas.gov.au Web:   SkillsTasmania

An allowance to assist with the cost of transporting students to the nearest school or school bus service is available to students:

• live outside an area with an urban bus service and more than 5 kilometres from the nearest government intake area school, educationally appropriate school or bus stop servicing that school, or
• are in grade 11 or 12, living on a Bass Strait Island and need to attend an educationally appropriate school on mainland Tasmania or interstate.

Department of State Growth Phone: 6166 3350 Email: [email protected] Web: www.transport.tas.gov.au

Child students always pay a flat rate, not just for travel to and from school. The fare is the same regardless of distance or location. This concession applies to students who are:

• under 18 years or turning 18 years in the year of study, and

A student bus pass for free travel provides free travel on one or more fare-charging bus services between home and school. Free travel applies between 6.00 am and 7.00 pm on school days for students who are:

• under 18 years or turning 18 years in the year of study and
• a full-time student (600+ hours per year) enrolled at an education facility recognised by the Department for Education, Children and Young People

and who meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria:

• have a Service Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card or are listed as a dependant on the card are under a Care and Protection Order
• live in a rural area and are attending their Intake Area School, which is also located in a rural area, and there is no free bus service available to that school
• require a Free Transfer pass as they must transfer between 2 or more fare-charging bus operators between home and school.

Department of State Growth Phone: 1300 135 513 Email: [email protected] Website:   www.transport.tas.gov.au

The Transport Access Scheme (TAS) assists people with a life-long permanent and severe disability which affects mobility.

An Australian Disability Parking Permit entitles TAS members to use disability parking spots and additional time in areas controlled by parking signs (including parking meters).

Temporary Australian Disability Parking Permits for non-TAS members may be applied for through major metropolitan councils.

Department of State Growth Phone: 1300 135 513 Email: [email protected] Web: www.transport.tas.gov.au

VISION IMPAIRED TRAVEL PASS (public bus and River Derwent ferry)

For people who hold a Vision Impairment Travel Pass, their guide dog and attendant travel for free on all  Tasmanian public  buses.

Applicants for this card must hold a current Pensioner Concession Card endorsed for Disability Support Pension Blind or Age Blind Pension, or a DVA (Blind) Pension, or provide an assessment by an opthalmologist.

The concession is also available to an accompanying mobility instructor authorised by Guide Dogs Tasmania.

Department of State Growth

Phone: 1300 135 513

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.transport.tas.gov.au

ISLAND TRANSPORT SERVICES

A rebate of 50% on the cost of one return trip to Northern Tasmania per financial year is available to age pensioners living on Bass Strait islands who have a:

• Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card.

Department of State Growth Phone: 1300 135  513 Email: [email protected] Web: www.transport.tas.gov.au

The SeaLink Bruny Island ferry service offers discounts to the following cardholders:

• Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
• Services Australia or DVA Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

The driver must be the primary cardholder to access the concession rate.

Sealink Bruny Island  Phone: 1300 127 869 Web: www.sealinkbrunyisland.com.au

A 50% concession on the cost of taxi travel is available to people:

• with a permanent and severe disability who have been assessed as meeting eligibility criteria for membership of the Transport Access Scheme

and also hold one of the following:

Services Australia Health Care Card

• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

A maximum subsidy of $25 per single journey applies.

A 60% concession on the cost of travel in a wheelchair-accessible taxi is available to people:

• with a permanent and severe disability who have been assessed as meeting eligibility criteria for membership of the Transport Access Scheme, and who are totally wheelchair reliant.

A maximum subsidy of $30 per single journey applies.

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA TT-LINE

Discounted passenger fares* are available to cardholders of a Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card. Cardholders must provide their pension card number when they book. The card must still be current at the date of travel and presented at check-in.

*  Applicable to selected passenger fares, subject to availability.

Check the website www.spiritoftasmania.com.au for further terms, conditions and availability.

Spirit of Tasmania Phone: 132 010 Email: [email protected] Web: www.spiritoftasmania.com.au

GENERAL TRAVEL SERVICES

Public bus and River Derwent ferry

Eligible cards for an adult concession bus fare are:

• Seniors Card - all States and Territories
• Evidence of Immigration Status (EDI), or
• Residence Determination Immicard (RDI)

Other eligible people are:

• aged 70 years and over
• holds a DVA Veteran Gold Card printed with War Widow
• eligible adult students

Department of State Growth Phone: 1300 135 513 Email: [email protected]  Web: www.transport.tas.gov.au/public_transport/concessions

The cardholder’s companion receives free bus travel when accompanying the cardholder who pays their own fare.

Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) and Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) pensioners are entitled to free travel on public bus services.

You will need to present  your DVA Veteran Gold Card printed with TPI or EDA. To travel on Metro bus services for free, you will need to apply for and use a Greencard.

Department of State Growth Phone: 6166 3350

Email: [email protected] Web: www.transport.tas.gov.au

Jump to section

These icons will help you locate the concessions available to you:

Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card

Services Australia Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

Seniors Card

Companion Card

Concession available to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria

Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Cards - Orange

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Cards - Gold

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Cards - White

Find out more about these cards

• English (Australia) Select this as your preferred language
• About Council
• City of Gastronomy
• Our Sister Cities
• Waste and Wheelie Bin Forms
• Food Business Forms
• Parking Forms
• Planning and Property
• Town Hall Illumination Application
• Event Forms
• Busking in Launceston
• Payment Options
• How rates are calculated
• Types of Rates
• Paying Rates
• Pensioner Concession and Charitable Organisation Rates
• Interim Rates and Charges Hardship Policy (Hardship Application)
• Legislation and By-laws
• Delegations Register
• State of the City Report
• Greater Launceston Plan
• Long Term Financial Plan
• Aboriginal Partnership Plan
• Strategic Asset Management Plan
• Four Year Delivery Plan
• Future Direction Plan York Park (UTAS Stadium)
• End of Term Report 2018-2022
• e-Scooter Trial Evaluation Report
• Tourism Plan 2019 - 2022
• Launceston Cultural Strategy
• Launceston Residential Strategy
• Launceston Industrial Strategy
• Launceston Public Art Strategy
• Economic Development Strategy 2022
• Public Spaces Public Life Report 2011
• Launceston Central Bus Interchange Assessment
• Transport Strategies and Plans
• City Innovation Strategy
• Youth Engagement Framework
• Youth Advisory Group Annual Report
• Community Engagement Strategy
• Community Engagement Framework
• Northern Tasmania Sports Facility Plan 2023
• QVMAG Reports and Policy
• Local Government Elections
• Executive Leadership Team
• Applying for a job
• Positions Vacant
• Work Experience
• Our People's Stories
• Organisational Structure
• Why Work With Us
• Our Vision, Purpose and Values
• Access to Information
• Privacy Statement
• Stadiums Tasmania land transfer
• Have your say - Tomorrow Together
• Cultural Advisory Committee
• Cultural Strategy
• Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery
• ABCDE Learning Sites
• Accessibility in Launceston
• Community Recognition Awards
• Launceston Volunteer Recognition
• Waste NoT Awards
• Children and Families
• Citizenship
• Find Help Tas
• The My Place My Future Plan
• 2019 - 2020 Plan Actions
• My Place My Future Progress Reports
• Data, Reports and Publications
• Grants and Funding Opportunities
• My Place My Future Projects and Initiatives
• Holding an Event in the Northern Suburbs
• My Place My Future Image Gallery
• The Living Library Program
• Unhealthy housing
• Smoke-Free Areas
• Syringe Disposal
• Tattooing and Body Piercing
• Food Safety
• Recreational Water Quality
• Community Grants
• Event Sponsorship
• A Reminder to be Kinder
• Public Wi-Fi
• Slow Down Save Lives
• Say G'day on Bin Day
• 52 Things To Do Before You Turn 12
• Full Gear Motor Cycle Training
• Homelessness Support
• Launceston Place Brand
• Guest Speakers
• Meet the Neighbours
• Summary of Commitments
• City Deal Implementation
• City Deal Measures of Success
• Burial Records
• Lawn and Monumental Cemeteries
• Memorials and Placement of Ashes
• Opening Hours
• Contact Carr Villa
• Launceston Leisure & Aquatic Centre
• Roads and Transport
• Current and Upcoming Works
• Free Parking
• Parking Locations and Fees
• EasyPark Phone App

Free Tiger Bus

• Parking Fines
• Accessible Parking
• Bicycle Parking
• Safe school zone parking
• City of Launceston Speed Limit Changes
• CBD Kerbside Collection
• Other Recyclable Items
• Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) Collection

Waste Centres

• Sustainability Strategies and Plans
• Understanding Climate Change
• Living Sustainably
• Sustainability Projects
• Environmental Groups and Communities
• Home Energy Audit Toolkits
• Repair Cafe Launceston
• The Recycle Hub
• Hazardous Materials
• Natural Environment
• Skip Bins and Shipping Containers
• Reusable Nappy & Sanitary Product Rebate
• Hard Waste Collection
• Concessional Entry
• Business Connect
• Starting a Food Business
• Taking over an Existing Food Business
• Existing Food Business Operators
• Information and Resources
• Do Food Safely Training
• On-Street Trading
• Economic Profile
• Tenders and Expressions of Interest
• Contracted Suppliers
• Existing Contracts
• Builders and Owner Builders
• The Role of a Building Surveyor
• Building Permits
• Building Plans
• Swimming Pools and Spas
• Compliance and Enforcement
• Boundary Walls and Fences
• Building Surveying Forms
• Building Surveying Fees and Quote Request
• Building Surveying Process and Timeframes
• Applying for a Development Application
• Advertised Development Applications
• Statutory Applications
• Driveways and Crossovers
• Inner City Living
• Tasmanian Planning Scheme - Launceston
• Planning Permit Request Form
• Plumbing Permits
• Inspections
• Stormwater Connections
• Onsite Waste Water Management
• Rainwater Tanks
• Albert Hall Redevelopment
• Princess Theatre & Earl Arts Centre Redevelopment
• NTCA Sports Complex Redevelopment
• Launceston City Heart Project
• My Place My Future
• Partnership Projects
• Council-owned Projects
• Advocacy Projects
• Other hazards
• 2. Know your warnings and alerts
• 3. Make a plan
• 4. Stay safe during a disaster
• 5. Recover after a disaster
• Rats and Mice
• Tattooing, Piercing and Acupuncture
• Hairdressing and Beauty Salons
• Pools and Spas
• Private Water Suppliers and Carriers
• Cooling Towers and Warm Water Systems
• Environmental Regulations
• Upcoming Events
• Event Planning
• Conferences and Business Events
• Venues and Facilities
• FOGO at Northern Tasmanian Events
• Plan your trip
• Top 10: local must-visit experiences in Launceston
• Launceston Central
• Parks, Gardens and Active Recreation
• Favourite spots
• University of Tasmania Stadium
• Industry Resources
• Visit Northern Tasmania
• Mountain Biking
• Design Centre Tasmania
• Albert Hall
• Princess Theatre & Earl Arts Centre
• National Automobile Museum of Tasmania
• Parks and Gardens
• Street Trees
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Growing our Urban Forest
• Launceston 3D City Map
• Parks of Launceston: A Minecraft World
• Accessible public toilets and parking bays map
• Free Public Wi-Fi
• Report an Issue
• Youngtown Regional Park Foot Bridge

Public holiday operating hours 2024

• Security & Scams

In This Section

   The Tiger Bus is a free transport service throughout the central city district, running 7 days a week*.   

The free Tiger Bus operates on all public holidays, excluding ANZAC Day, Good Friday, Recreation Day or Christmas Day.  All Tiger Bus services are operated by wheelchair-accessible vehicles. 

*The FREE Tiger Bus operates 7 days a week between December to April. 

Find the City of Launceston public holiday opening hours below,  service interruptions here  and  current and upcoming works here .

- For out of hours emergencies involving Council services or facilities, phone 6323 3333 .

- Phone 000 to report life-threatening emergencies or contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 to report non-life threatening emergencies.

Car Parking Facilities

The City of Launceston's open air car parks and on street meters are FREE on public holidays.

Multi storey car parks will continue to operate as normal. 

Find out more about parking in Launceston

Carr Villa Memorial Park

Main Office

Normal hours:  Monday to Friday: 8am - 4.30pm

Weekends and public holidays:  closed

Main Park Gates (Nunamina Avenue)  

19 April - 30 November: 

  Monday to Sunday including public holidays: 7.30am -  5pm

Pedestrian access remains available after 5pm

1 December - 18 April: 

  Monday to Sunday including public holidays: 7.30am -  7pm

Pedestrian access remains available after 7pm

Crematorium Gate (Quarantine Road)  

Normal hours: Monday to Friday: 8am - 4pm

Weekends and public holidays: closed

EXCEPTION: The Crematorium Gates remain open on Mother's Day, Father's Day, Anzac Day, and Christmas Day 8am - 4pm

Learn more about the Carr Villa Memorial Park  

Customer Service Centre

Town Hall including the Customer Service Centre

Further Information

After hours dog attacks: Tasmania Police   131 444

Report an issue online here

Find more information about our Customer Service Centre including our regular opening hours on the  Contact page .

First Basin Swimming Pool — Cataract Gorge

Tasmanian School Holidays:

Lifeguards from the City of Launceston Leisure & Aquatic Centre ensure your safety by providing supervision at the First Basin Swimming Pool every day during Tasmanian school holidays.

Weekend supervision:

For the rest of the season (outside school holidays), lifeguards are on duty at the First Basin Swimming Pool on weekends from 11am to 4pm.

Please Note:

Lifeguard supervision at the First Basin Swimming Pool ends for the season after 4pm on Sunday, April 21st, 2024.

The Free Tiger Bus is operated by Metro Tasmania on behalf of the City of Launceston.

The free Tiger Bus operates on all public holidays, excluding ANZAC Day, Good Friday, Recreation Day or Christmas Day. All Tiger Bus services are operated by wheelchair-accessible vehicles. 

Operating Mon–Sun until 30 April 2024.

View the  City of Launceston Free Tiger Bus page  or the  Metro Tasmania website . 

For more information contact the City of Launceston’s Customer Service Centre on 03 6323 3000 .

Immunisation Clinics

Location:  Council Customer Service Centre, Town Hall St John Street, Launceston

Time:  Every Wednesday (except public holidays) 10am-11am.

Appointments are required. Please call  6323 3000  to book your appointment at the clinic. The service is free and the clinic is open during all school holidays.

Location:  Ravenswood Child and Family Centre, 8 Prossers Forest Road, Ravenswood. 

Time:  The second Tuesday of each month 9.30am to 10am

Appointments are unnecessary, the service is free and the clinic operates every month with the exception of January.   

Visit our City of Launceston Immunisations page to find out more about sessions locations and times.

Launceston Visitor Information Centre

Open weekdays from 9am to 5pm and on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 2pm (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day). 

Find out more about the Launceston Visitor Information Centre

Leisure and Aquatic Centre

Visit the  Launceston Leisure & Aquatic Centre website  for information on operating hours.

Lilydale Swimming Pool

The Lilydale Swimming Pool is a 25m outdoor public pool in Lilydale that is available in the warmer months of the year. It is located at 1954 Main Road, Lilydale, and is free to use!

Visit the Launceston Leisure & Aquatic Centre  website to find operational hours.

Learn more about the Lilydale Swimming Pool

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG)

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) opening hours can be found on the QVMAG website . 

To keep up to date, follow the QVMAG Facebook page .

Launceston Waste and Transfer Centre, Lilydale and Nunamara  opening hours can be found on this webpage .

Find out more about the City of Launceston's Waste Centres

Waste Services

Waste services will not be interrupted during public holidays unless noted here at a later stage.

Find out more on the City of Launceston's waste services

Tiger Bus parking permits

To organise a monthly Tiger Bus parking permit at the Northern Inveresk car park, please contact  Customer Service for more information.

Please note:  From Monday, November 15 2021, the Circle Car Park at Inveresk will no longer be available for use by Tiger Bus parking permit holders. The Tiger Bus stop and all-day permit parking will relocate to the new Northern Car Park, and the temporary stop on Invermay Road will no longer be used for this service.

Related Content

View parking locations and fees across Launceston.

All the information you need for the Easypark phone app. Follow the easy steps to set up EasyPark on your mobile device today!

View all Council payments, fees and charges - pay online, over the phone, or in person with our Customer Service team at Town Hall.

Tasmania's free bus day a mess but union, Metro disagree on reasons why

Commuters seeking to take advantage of Tasmania's free public bus initiative have been met with 81 cancellations of services across the state — with the reasons why entangled in a war of words.

Key points:

• On day three of the free bus program, 81 bus services have been cancelled across Tasmania
• Metro Tasmania says 31 drivers have been struck down by COVID and other illnesses
• But the transport union says worker shortages are due to resignations over safety concerns — and that Metro should have done more to recruit "months ago"

The free bus measure was introduced on Monday to ease the blow of skyrocketing fuel costs and other cost of living pressures, and is scheduled to run for five weeks.

The cuts to services have also come amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases , with Tasmania breaking its record for the highest number of new cases for the second day in a row.

Metro Tasmania said the virus was hitting staff hard.

In a statement this morning, the company said it was experiencing an "unprecedented" number of driver absences due to COVID-19 and other illnesses.

It said administration staff who held a bus licence were now getting behind the wheel to ease the strain.

"Today, in Hobart, 23 drivers are unavailable to work (15 because of COVID-19 and eight because of other illnesses) while in Launceston the number of absent drivers is eight (one because of COVID, three because of general illness and four who are unvaccinated)," it said.

CEO Katie Cooper apologised for the service disruption.

"Our operations officers are working tirelessly to manage the roster and fill as many absences as possible, with priority given to school services, while many of our bus drivers have worked an extra shift or driven an additional run where possible," she said.

But Ric Bean, Tasmanian secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, rejected the idea that the staff shortages were primarily COVID-related.

"That's a bit of bullshit," he told the ABC.

"It's definitely part of the problem, but the biggest problem is that Metro haven't been recruiting fast enough since people started leaving in large numbers as far back as late last year." 

He referred to a survey from early March of more than 100 members, which revealed seven in 10 drivers had been threatened while working, and 98 per cent had suffered verbal abuse.

Half the respondents said they were either "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to resign, with 76 per cent reporting safety as the main reason, followed by 73 per cent concerned about wages.

The survey also found 67 per cent of bus operators believed Metro didn't take their safety seriously.

"Metro and the state government haven't been keeping up the pace in terms of providing security for our members driving the buses and the travelling public," Mr Bean said.

"We first started flagging safety as an issue with Metro probably two years ago, and it largely fell on deaf ears."

He said anti-social behaviour on buses was increasing in frequency and severity.

"Things have kicked off in a big way from late last year onwards and become a particular problem following the assault of two off duty-bus drivers in December."

Five weeks ago, a disgruntled passenger at Kingston discharged a fire extinguisher over a bus driver and the driver's cabin, he said.

Mr Bean said the incident was reported to Metro.

"We're very concerned that with the increasing seriousness of what's occurring out there, there could well be some serious injuries, and we're very concerned about the potential for even worse," he said.

"At the moment, there's an inquest underway in Brisbane into the death of a bus driver there three years ago, and we're very concerned that something along those lines may eventuate."

Mr Bean said the "abysmal" wage did not reflect the responsibilities of the job.

"Coupled now with the increase in anti-social behaviour — the abuse, the threats, and assaults — those two issues have come together, and a lot of people are deciding it's just not worth it anymore." 

Metro Tasmania CEO Katie Cooper was unavailable for comment today.

Earlier this week, she rejected the claim that driver shortages were due to poor working conditions and low pay.

"Metro… believes that the higher-than-normal resignations are because of drivers returning to families interstate and older drivers retiring," Ms Cooper said.

"Just like any company, Metro has people leave for a variety of reasons. There was a spike in resignations in December 2021 coinciding with the borders reopening and several resignations — noting that Metro has a mature workforce." 

'Legal responsibility' to protect drivers, union says

In a statement this morning, Ms Cooper said seven new drivers began working for the company in Hobart this week, and three more drivers would join its ranks on Monday, April 4.

"An additional 22 drivers have started training this week, with three headed for Launceston when their training finishes, and a further 20 drivers will start our comprehensive training program on Tuesday, April 26," Ms Cooper said.

Mr Bean said the recruitment numbers were "reasonable" but that a bigger push on recruitment should have occurred months ago.

"The horse has already bolted… the indications were there from late November that there were serious numbers of people departing the business," he said.

"I notice Metro are also trying to blame the fact that there are a handful of drivers are refusing to get vaccinated, but they've known about that since December." 

He said he would like to see additional safety measures brought in, noting the recent trial of security officers onboard some bus services to and from Rokeby had "an element of success".

"The government and Metro need to do something to enhance security for bus drivers and passengers… the Metro board need to be reminded that they have a legal responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees."

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Public Transport

• Media Releases
• Bus advertising
• Publications & Corporate Governance
• Contractor Induction
• Accessibility Assistance
• Social responsibility
• School Bus Safety
• Bus chartering
• My Greencard
• Search 0" x-on:click="query = ''; $focus.focus($refs.input)"> Clear
• Trip planner
• Timetables & Maps
• Network Updates
• Tickets & Fares
• Travel Tips

For tourists

Explore tassie your way, for only a few dollars a day – hop on board a metro bus and experience tasmania like a local.

Where to go?

Our skilled and helpful drivers are ready to take you to your next destination in and around Hobart, Launceston and Burnie, including dozens of local attractions like Cascade Brewery, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) or the historic Shot Tower at Taroona. You can even take the scenic route and escape to beautiful Seven Mile Beach or find a secluded bushwalk from Fern Tree in the foothills of Mt Wellington.

How to pay?

A Greencard is your ticket to Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and surrounds, making it easier and cheaper to board a bus. By using a Greencard you are rewarded with a 20% discount on regular fares, low daily caps and free 90 minute transfers.

Greencards are available from the Metro Shop or at our Greencard agents .

Travel tips

To learn more about catching Metro buses, click here .

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Update details on a current pass

You can update details on a current student bus pass online, or by using a paper form.

1 Online application

• Update online

A replacement fee of $11 applies, which you can pay online via Visa or Mastercard.

If you are aged under 16 and hold your own concession card you must use a paper application and attach a photocopy of your concession card. This is a Services Australia (Centrelink) privacy requirement.

2 Paper application

Paper application.

• Download the Student Bus Pass update form

To submit your completed form visit any Service Tasmania shop .

A replacement fee of $11 applies, which you can pay via cash or debit/credit card.

When you provide personal information to the Department of State Growth, the Department of State Growth (we) manage that information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004 .

When you apply for a student bus pass we use your personal information to

• Assess if you are eligible for travel assistance.
• Cross-check if you are eligible for other types of travel assistance.
• Manage your participation in travel assistance programs.

If you provide incomplete or incorrect information, it may affect how we assess your application, or properly maintain your records.

We may also use the information for related purposes, or disclose it to third parties in circumstances allowed for by law such as Services Australia (Centrelink).

You have the right to access your personal information by request to the Department and you may be charged a fee for this service.

If you need help or more information

• See the Student Bus Pass page
• Email [email protected]
• Call 1300 135 513

Use this page if your personal or travel details have changed before your pass expires. If your details are still the same, you will need a different page.

• If you have never had a pass before, go to apply for a pass for the first time .
• If your pass has expired, go to renew an expired pass .
• If your pass is damaged, lost, or stolen, go to replace a damaged, lost, or stolen pass .

This page was last updated on Feb 20th 2023