Students at the Newnham, Inveresk, and Cradle Coast University of Tasmania campuses can travel for free on Metro services during Welcome Week (the first week of semester two) from 16 to 20 July.
The Tasmanian University Union / University of Tasmania / Metro initiative applies when students show UTAS ID on Launceston Turn Up and Go routes 6, 7, 8 and 10, and north west coast routes 40/50, 41/51, and 85.
Metro CEO Megan Morse said public transport was an ideal travel solution for university students.
“Supporting students to make use of Metro services makes sense as, like anyone on a tight budget, public transport is a compelling alternative to the cost of owning and operating a car” she said.
“Familiarising students with Metro services via initiatives like this is a great way to demonstrate how convenient, frequent, and cost effective buses can be for campus and extracurricular travel.”
Ms Morse said she was very pleased that Metro had been able to work with the Tasmania University Union and University of Tasmania in this way to deliver a positive public transport experience.
Tasmania University Union Northern Campus President Sean Kebbell said affordable and easy to access transport was vital for students.
“There is also not a lot of car parking availability for students at the northern campuses, so this environmentally friendly travel option is perfect,” he said.
“The Union is happy to be working with Metro to make sure students are aware of how easy it is to use Metro’s university routes and encourage them to take advantage of the service throughout the year.”
University of Tasmania Sustainability Manager Corey Peterson said UTAS was proud to partner with Metro to launch Launceston’s high frequency Turn Up and Go service in 2015.
“Our support for the service demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting staff and students to choose sustainable transport options to access UTAS facilities,” he said.
“We are very pleased that we can work with the TUU and Metro to deliver great outcomes for our students.”
Full-time tertiary students are eligible for Adult Concession Greencards which offer a flat $1.84 fare, a low daily cap of $2.90 or $5.60 in the urban area, and free transfers within 90 minutes. Part time tertiary students can use an Adult Greencard to save 20% on fares, transfer free and access similar low daily caps.
Students can get Greencards by visiting the Metro website (metrotas.com.au), calling the hotline (13 22 01) or at the Newnham campus University Shop on the Queen Elizabeth Walk.