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Taking the bus

Posted October 16, 2008 08:13:00

Metro Bus at Elizabeth Street bus mall

Tasmanians are being encouraged to leave the car at home. (ABC News: Cate Grant)

The Premier David Bartlett has flagged priority lanes on busy highways to encourage car pooling.

It's one of the options the State Government's public transport study will consider.

Yesterday Mr Bartlett announced Tasmania's first bus-priority lane on the Southern Outlet.

From next year, buses will use the third shoulder lane, and Mr Bartlett is predicting the move will change commuter behaviour.

He's considering allowing cars with more than two people to use the lane.

The study will also examine introducing passenger trains and increasing the number of commuter ferries and bike lanes.

Mr Bartlett's forecasting action at another congestion hotspot in Hobart.

"I'm also considering a range of ideas about the Tasman Bridge which I'll be talking about in the coming weeks," said the Premier.

But for now that's all he's giving away.

Tags: transport, state-parliament, rail-transport, road-transport, tas

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