Free buses until May 31

FREE bus travel throughout Tasmania has been extended until the end of May to allow passengers more time to register for cashless payments.

Infrastructure and Transport minister Michael Ferguson said the current arrangements for cashless buses and a bus fare amnesty had been extended to Sunday, May 31.

These arrangements were due to expire yesterday, April 10. "To minimise person-to-person contact, all bus services across the state will remain cashless," Mr Ferguson said. "The fare amnesty is to provide time for passengers to access a smartcard and non-cash credit top up arrangements (where available), or other options for cashless payment.

"Passengers without a smartcard should apply for one from their bus operator where available during this period. Free travel during this period is not an invitation to undertake additional travel – passengers should restrict themselves to essential journeys. Everyone is reminded that they must not use public transport if they are supposed to be in isolation or are unwell," he said.

The fare amnesty applies throughout Tasmania including Metro services and O'Driscoll Coaches' Derwent Valley Link. Students catching school bus services will also be able to travel for free until May 31.

O'Driscoll Coaches advises that further enhancements to Derwent Valley Link’s ticketing system will be made in the coming weeks to enable access to smartcards for those passengers without a smartphone or access to a computer. Click here for more information.