Monday, September 26 marked the official opening of the Park and Ride bus facility in Huntingield to service the Kingborough and Channel commuters travelling to Hobart.
In a press release from Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, he said “The Tasmanian Liberal Government is embarking on the most progressive agenda for public transport in decades, investing in a range of initiatives to boost patronage and bust traffic congestion”.
“Kingborough residents now have more reason to take the bus with the opening of a new park and ride facility at Huntingfield and the launch of additional express bus services to Hobart.
“The new facility is part of our commitment to offering the people of Hobart’s southern suburbs real transport choice in their daily commute under the Southern Projects initiative.”
The Huntingfield Park and Ride provides parking for 174 vehicles, including motorcycle and accessible bays.
It also offers undercover seating for 30 passengers, a modern amenities block with baby change facilities and secure storage for 26 bicycles, and a quick drop-off lane.
There will be 33 additional express bus services stopping there every weekday, including the extension of the X08 from Kingston Central, which was launched in January, and a completely new route, the X01.
To mark the launch, the Tasmanian Government is offering free adult Greencards preloaded with a return fare to the first 300 customers who do not have one.
The first 200 new adult concession customers will receive a voucher for a preloaded Greencard, redeemable at any Metro Shop.
Staff will be on hand at Huntingfield between 7am and 9am each day this week to facilitate this offer.
“The new services and modern facilities will work with the other Southern Projects initiatives to keep Hobart moving by providing more transport options,” the media release stated.
“These include the Firthside park and ride facility, which opened in March.
“The 33 new bus services brings 70 additional weekday express bus services launched between the southern suburbs and the Hobart CBD under this initiative.
“The next projects under the program include the planned new transit lane for buses, taxis and vehicles with three or more occupants on the Southern Outlet and bus improvements to Macquarie and Davey Streets.”
The transit lane will start at Olinda Grove and continue through the interchange with Macquarie and Davey Streets and then down Macquarie Street as a clearway to provide four lanes of traffic to Molle Street during the morning peak period.
