The congestion affecting the Greater Hobart region is a symptom of a growing economy, and the Hodgman Liberal Government is taking action to minimise its impact on road users.
I am pleased to announce our latest congestion-reducing trial will allow Tasmanians to take advantage of free Metro bus travel in the Hobart urban area before 7am on business days from 30 January to 24 February 2017.
Public transport is an important part of the solution to reducing congestion, and this initiative will encourage Tasmanians to try something different by travelling at no cost to them and avoiding the back-to-school traffic.
It’s just one of the measures we are introducing in the next few weeks to reduce congestion in this traditionally busy period, including the new traffic lights being switched on at the Brooker Highway intersection at Elwick Road and encouraging Tasmanian Police to be extra vigilant when addressing driver and pedestrian behaviours that add to congestion.
It builds on the existing measures we have recently taken such as working with the Hobart City Council to implement clearways and parking restrictions on their roads and implementing special arrangements for roadworks on the Southern Outlet to minimise disruption.
Tasmanians can rest assured the Hodgman Government is getting on with the leadership job of resolving these congestion issues.