Sustainability and the student and staff experience are at the heart of a new inter-campus travel arrangement being funded by the University of Tasmania in Hobart.
Leveraging Metro Tasmania’s existing public transport network, it enables students and staff to travel for free along select bus routes when presenting a University of Tasmania-issued ID card on weekdays.
The eligible routes connect Taroona, the Sandy Bay campus and Hobart CBD, and take passengers directly to, or within walking distance of, the University’s main Hobart campus sites.
Jack Oates Pryor from the Tasmanian University Student Association said the service would help connect students and staff in the South where the University operates across multiple locations in and around Hobart.
“After successive years of lobbying for this exact outcome, both by TUSA Student Representatives, and by UTAS Staff, it’s hugely exciting to announce this win for our students and staff,” Jack said.
“This commitment by the University to improving inter-campus travel in the South of Tasmania is fantastic to observe. The diversified campus model often leaves students and staff feeling disconnected, but this partnership with Metro will be another positive step forward for student experience in the South.
“Amid the excitement, we would like to remind students and staff that bad behavior like racism or gender-based violence on public transport is no more okay than bad behavior is on campus – if you see something, please report it, such as to Police, or seek supports from the University and TUSA. We are here to help.”
Sarah Springer, Associate Director of Campus Operations said the University pursued and prioritised the arrangement for its positive outcomes.
“The University is covering the cost of these fares to encourage sustainable travel behaviours and greater use of the public transport network, reduce carbon emissions by keeping more cars off the road, and to help ease cost of living expenses for our students,” Sarah said.
“The Metro arrangement complements the existing UniHopper service and responds to feedback from our community by delivering express transport options between the CBD and Sandy Bay while covering a much larger area and offering extended hours of service.
“As we prepare for the opening of the redeveloped Forestry Building next year, this will help reduce demand for CBD parking by providing an additional transport option for students and staff to park and ride from our Sandy Bay campus.”
The new travel arrangement in Hobart follows the successful implementation of a free, inter-campus bus service utilising the Metro Tasmania network in Launceston.
Eligible Metro routes for free student and staff travel on weekdays
Return bus services between Hobart CBD Interchange (Elizabeth Street) and Sandy Bay, from Monday to Friday till late:
Return bus services between Hobart CBD Interchange (Macquarie Street) to Stop 31 Taroona, from Monday to Friday till late:
*Arrangement excludes weekends and Public Holidays.