Jane Howlett,Minister for Sport and Recreation
As Tasmania pads up to host the historic 5th Ashes Test in Hobart, there is no better time for cricket fans to get on-board the public transport Ashes Express to get to and from the ground.
The Tasmanian Government has worked with Metro Tasmania, Derwent Ferries, Clarence City Council and the City of Hobart to develop a comprehensive public transport offering for the Test.
With the first three days of the Test already booked out this will be the largest sports event in Tasmania’s history.
More than 30,000 fans expected to attend in the first three days and I encourage people to make the most of a suite of free public transport like Metro buses and Derwent River ferries to make this a more memorable experience.
More than 370 express passenger transport services between the City and Bellerive will be provided, with up to 76 free bus services travelling between the Elizabeth Street Bus Mall and Bellerive Oval.
There will also be up to 21 free Derwent ferry services between Brooke Street Pier and Bellerive Quay each day of the Test match.
It is expected that the services should be able to cater to over 51,000 passengers over the five days, noting that if the match finishes early then services will not be provided over any remaining days.
Some limited parking will be available on the Eastern Shore, and there will also be a free park-and-ride facility at the Hobart Regatta Grounds with direct bus pick-up on site.
Metro will also put on more than 330 extra regular-fare bus services connecting passengers from Kingston, Claremont, Glenorchy, Bridgewater and Lauderdale with the free Ashes Express bus and ferry services.
The Ashes Express ferry services will start from 12:30pm each day with trips leaving every 15 to 20 minutes and Ashes Express buses will start at 1pm each day with trips leaving every 10 to 20 minutes.
Return Ashes Express ferry services to the city will begin at 6:30pm with the last voyage at 10:45pm and return Ashes Express buses to Franklin Square via the Regatta Grounds will operate between 5:00pm and 10:20pm each day.
The Tasmanian Government is proud to have secured this historic 5th Ashes Test which is expected to deliver about $27 million worth of economic benefit to Tasmania in addition to the eyes of the cricket world being focused on our State.
