{{Short description|Bus interchange in Hobart, Tasmania}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox station |name = Hobart Bus Mall |type = [[Bus interchange]] |image = Northcoast in bus mall.jpg |caption = [[Metro Tasmania|Metro]] bus in the bus mall, [[Elizabeth Street, Hobart|Elizabeth Street]], 2014 |address = [[Elizabeth Street, Hobart|Elizabeth Street]]<br>[[Macquarie Street, Hobart|Macquarie Street]]<br>[[Liverpool Street, Hobart|Liverpool Street]] |coordinates = {{Coord|42|52|56.9|S|147|19|46.4|E|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:AU}} |owned = [[City of Hobart]] |operator = [[Metro Tasmania]] |platforms = 12 |parking = No |bicycle = Yes |accessible = yes |connections = Coach ([[Murray Street, Hobart|Murray Street]])<br>Ferry ([[Brooke Street Pier]])<br>SkyBus ([[Brooke Street Pier]]) |opened = |former = GPO Terminus |passengers = }}
The '''Hobart Bus Mall''' (also called the '''Hobart City Interchange''') is the main urban [[bus interchange]] for [[Metro Tasmania]] in the [[Hobart central business district]]. Situated on [[Elizabeth Street, Hobart|Elizabeth Street]], it serves daily commuters from suburbs, nearby cities, and towns including [[city of Clarence|Clarence]], [[Glenorchy, Tasmania|Glenorchy]], [[Richmond, Tasmania|Richmond]], [[Cambridge, Tasmania|Cambridge]] and [[Kingborough]]. The interchange spans Elizabeth Street between [[Macquarie Street, Hobart|Macquarie]] and [[Collins Street, Hobart|Collins]] streets, with additional [[bus stop]]s at [[Franklin Square, Hobart|Franklin Square]] and one on [[Liverpool Street, Hobart|Liverpool Street]] near the [[Elizabeth Street Mall]]'s north end. The interchange is within {{convert|500|m}} of connecting [[Coach (bus)|coach]] services (operated by [[Tassielink Transit|Tassielink]]) on [[Murray Street, Hobart|Murray Street]], [[Ferries in Hobart|ferry]] services and [[airport bus]] services (operated by [[SkyBus (airport bus)|SkyBus]]) at [[Brooke Street Pier]].
==History== {{See also|Trams in Hobart|Trolleybuses in Hobart|Rail transport in Tasmania}} [[File:HobartDouble-Decker.jpg|thumb|Double-decker tram terminating at the Hobart GPO, circa 1940s]] The Hobart Bus Mall has historically been a hub for various transportation routes connecting different parts of Hobart and its surrounding areas. Serving as a central transfer point where passengers can switch between lines, the interchange has a long history of public transportation, previously offering [[horse-drawn carriage]]s, [[trams]], [[trolley-bus]]es and [[taxi]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27175591 |title=Man gaoled for imposing on taxi driver |newspaper=[[The Mercury]] |volume=CLXXIII |issue=25,855 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=30 October 1953 |accessdate=15 August 2023 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Commencing operations on 23 September 1893, the [[Trams in Hobart|Hobart Electric Tram Company's]] city interchange was established outside the [[General Post Office, Hobart|Hobart General Post Office]] on [[Elizabeth Street, Hobart|Elizabeth Street]]. A small tramway [[Shelter (building)|shelter]], named the "[[pagoda]]" was erected on Elizabeth Street to provide protection for tramway officers in 1935.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30080893 |title=Tramway "Pagoda" near Hobart GPO |newspaper=[[The Mercury]] |volume=CXLII |issue=20,109 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=6 April 1935 |accessdate=15 August 2023 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Trams ceased operations in Hobart on 21 October 1960. Trolley-buses ran from 29 October 1935 until 22 November 1968. Following the closure of [[Hobart railway station]] on 18 July 1978, the Hobart Bus Mall became the city's primary public transportation hub.
On 19 November 1991, an eight bay bus station opened with Elizabeth Street closed between [[Collins Street, Hobart|Collins]] and [[Macquarie Street, Hobart|Macquarie]] streets to normal traffic.<ref>Metro City Opens ''[[Transit Australia]]'' March 1992 page 69</ref>
===Upgrades=== In 2015, the [[Hobart City Council]] announced a $2 million upgrade to the mall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bus Mall Improvement Project|url=http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Council/About_Council/Council_Projects/Hobart_Central_Bus_Interchange_Planning_Project/Bus_Mall_Improvement_Project|publisher=[[Hobart City Council]]|accessdate=25 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Howard|first1=Jessica|title=Hobart City Council pledges $2m to upgrade bus mall|url=http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/hobart-city-council-pledges-2m-to-upgrade-bus-mall/story-fnj4f7k1-1227200028308|accessdate=25 July 2015|work=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]|date=29 January 2015}}</ref> The upgrades include double the sheltered space, 3-meter-wide pedestrian footpaths, additional seating, improved lighting and bike racks.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Howard|first1=Jessica|title=HCC plans $2.5m upgrade of bus mall next year|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/hcc-plans-25m-upgrade-of-bus-mall-next-year/story-fnjj6012-1227457909120|accessdate=23 August 2015|work=Perth Now|date=26 July 2015}}</ref> Commencing in 2017, work on the upgrades was divided into multiple stages<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hobartobserver.com.au/?p=3598 |title=Elizabeth Street Bus Mall upgrade resumes |date=2019-07-09 |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=Hobart Observer}}</ref> as a means to minimise disrupting services<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Council/News-publications-and-announcements/Latest-news/newsbusmallopen |title=Hobart bus mall returns to two-way movement |date=2020-10-12 |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=[[Hobart City Council]]}}</ref> and the bus mall reopened in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/the-completion-of-major-upgrades-to-the-hobart-bus-mall-will-see-it-reopen-next-month/news-story/b8a5a46740e3a74944167391f51e3252 |title=The completion of major upgrades to the Hobart bus mall will see it reopen next month |date=2020-09-17 |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=[[The Mercury (Hobart)]] |last=Kitto |first=James}}</ref>
====2018 vision==== The [[Tasmanian Liberals]] released a public transport policy document showcasing a new underground bus mall for the [[2018 Tasmanian state election]]. The plan included concept designs of a new revitalised Elizabeth Street interchange featuring a [[sunken courtyard]] with a [[stepped profile]], Macquarie Street as an [[overpass]] bridge, with [[bus rapid transport|rapid transport]] [[electric bus]]es, premium [[bus stops]] featuring [[digital signage]] and amenities. Infrastructure Minister [[Rene Hidding]] announced that if the Liberal government was re-elected, they would take over management of [[Davey Street|Davey]] and [[Macquarie Street, Hobart|Macquarie]] streets from the Hobart City Council.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-01/liberal-party-release-bold-vision-for-hobart-transport/9383114 |title=Liberal Party's vision for Hobart transport criticised as 'bereft of detail' |date=2018-02-01 |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |last=Burgess |first=Georgie}}</ref> With a cost exceeding $100m, Hidding noted the project would take two years to construct. In spite of the reelection of the Liberal Government, the project has seen no advancement.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tasmaniantimes.com/2021/03/whatever-happened-to-hobarts-underground-bus-mall/ |title=Whatever Happened to Hobart’s Underground Bus Mall? |date=2021-03-27 |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=[[Tasmanian Times]]}}</ref>
====Smoke-free Hobart==== After the adoption of the ten-year strategic plan by the [[Hobart City Council]], titled ''Hobart: A community vision for our island capital'', specific areas within Hobart's CBD, including the Hobart Bus Mall, were designated as smoke-free zones starting from 15 April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Community/Public-health/Smoke-free-Hobart#:~:text=The%20Hobart%20CBD%20became%20smoke,Liverpool%2C%20Murray%20and%20Campbell%20streets. |title=Smoke-free Hobart |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=[[City of Hobart]]}}</ref>
====Pedestrian scramble==== Commencing in July 2023, the City of Hobart, in collaboration with the [[Department of State Growth]], activated two [[pedestrian scramble]]s, granting pedestrians the ability to traverse in any direction when the [[traffic signal]] is green. The initial phase has been initiated at the intersections of Liverpool and Collins Streets, situated at either end of the Elizabeth Street Mall.
==Services== {{See also|Metro Tasmania#Hobart}} [[File:14.5 bus in Hobart.jpg|thumb|[[Metro Tasmania|Metro]] [[Volgren]] bodied [[Scania 4-series (bus)|Scania L94UB]] departing the [[General Post Office, Hobart|Hobart GPO]]]] Along Elizabeth Street, the Hobart Bus Mall has [[bus stop]]s outside the [[General Post Office, Hobart|Hobart GPO]] (A1, A2), [[NAB House]] (A3), [[Franklin Square, Hobart|Franklin Square]] (D3) and the [[Hobart Town Hall]] (D4). On [[Macquarie Street, Hobart|Macquarie Street]], there are stops situated outside the Colonial Mutual Life Building (C1) and Franklin Square (D1, D2). Situated at the northern end of the [[Elizabeth Street Mall]] is a single stop (L1) located on [[Liverpool Street, Hobart|Liverpool Street]], facilitating services to the suburbs of [[Mount Stuart, Tasmania|Mount Stuart]] and [[West Hobart]].
===Ticketing=== A Metro shop located at 40 Elizabeth Street is open from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. During [[daylight savings time]] in Tasmania, it also operates from 9:30 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. The shop offers free bus schedules and assistance for bus routes, timings, fares, and discounts.
===Routes=== Hobart's bus routes are numbered with three digits, according to their geographical area:
* Routes for destinations numbers south of Hobart City Centre are prefixed with '''4'''. * Routes for destinations numbers north of Hobart City Centre are prefixed with '''5'''. * Routes for destinations numbers east of Hobart City Centre are prefixed with '''6'''. * Express route variants are prefixed with '''X'''. * School bus routes on the western side of the River Derwent are prefixed with '''2''' series, and on the eastern shore they are prefixed with '''3'''. For morning services the third digit is odd, in the afternoon it is even.<ref>[https://www.metrotas.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/21779_DSG_interchange_list_hobart_20220925.pdf Hobart Interchange] [[Metro Tasmania]]</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Bus Route ! Destination ! Departing ! Stop |- | 500, 501, 502 | [[Glenorchy, Tasmania|Glenorchy]] | [[Elizabeth Street, Hobart|Elizabeth St]] | '''A1''' ([[General Post Office, Hobart|Hobart GPO]]) |- | 503 | Tolosa Park | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 504 | Jackson Street | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 510 | [[Austins Ferry]] | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 511 | [[Claremont, Tasmania|Claremont]] | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 512 | [[Cadbury's Chocolate Factory, Tasmania#Cadbury's Estate|Cadbury's Estate]] | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 513 | [[Chigwell, Tasmania|Chigwell]] | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 520 | [[Bridgewater, Tasmania|Bridgewater]] | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 522 | [[Gagebrook]] | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | 722 | [[New Norfolk]] | Elizabeth St | '''A1''' (Hobart GPO) |- | X10 | [[Granton, Tasmania|Granton]] | Elizabeth St | '''A2''' (Hobart GPO) |- | X11 | Claremont | Elizabeth St | '''A2''' (Hobart GPO) |- | X20, X30 | Bridgewater | Elizabeth St | '''A2''' (Hobart GPO) |- | X21 | [[Brighton, Tasmania|Brighton]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' ([[NAB House]]) |- | X22, X23 | New Norfolk | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 601 | Shoreline Shopping Centre | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 615, X15, 616, X16 | [[Tranmere, Tasmania|Tranmere]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 624, 625 | [[Clarendon Vale]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 634, X34 | [[Roches Beach]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 635 | [[Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania|Seven Mile Beach]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 646, X44 | [[Opossum Bay]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 685 | [[Geilston Bay]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | 695 | [[Risdon Vale]] | Elizabeth St | '''A3''' (NAB House) |- | X01, X08 | [[Huntingfield, Tasmania|Huntingfield]] | [[Macquarie Street, Hobart|Macquarie St]] | '''D1''' ([[Franklin Square, Hobart|Franklin Square]]) |- | X07, 407, 408, 409, 427, 428, 500 | [[Blackmans Bay]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 410 | [[Kingston, Tasmania|Kingston]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 411 | [[Howden, Tasmania|Howden]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 412 | [[Margate, Tasmania|Margate]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | X13, 413 | [[Snug, Tasmania|Snug]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 415 | [[Woodbridge, Tasmania|Woodbridge]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 416 | [[Middleton, Tasmania|Middleton]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 417 | [[Gordon, Tasmania|Gordon]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 426 | [[Taroona]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 429 | Summerleas Road | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | X710, 710 | [[Huonville]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 712 | [[Ranelagh, Tasmania|Ranelagh]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 714 | [[Cygnet, Tasmania|Cygnet]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 714 | [[Geeveston]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 718, 719 | [[Dover, Tasmania|Dover]] | Macquarie St | '''D1''' (Franklin Square) |- | 446 | Marlyn Road | Macquarie St | '''D2''' (Franklin Square) |- | 447 | Strickland Avenue | Macquarie St | '''D2''' (Franklin Square) |- | 448, 449 | [[Fern Tree, Tasmania|Fern Tree]] | Macquarie St | '''D2''' (Franklin Square) |- | 401, 402 | [[Sandy Bay, Tasmania|Lower Sandy Bay]] | [[Elizabeth Street, Hobart|Elizabeth St]] | '''D3''' (Franklin Square) |- | X58, 457, 458 | [[Mount Nelson, Tasmania|Mount Nelson]] | Elizabeth St | '''D3''' (Franklin Square) |- | 501, 601 | [[University of Tasmania#Sandy Bay and greater Hobart|University]] | Elizabeth St | '''D3''' (Franklin Square) |- | 541 | Springfield | Elizabeth St | '''B1''' (Mövenpick Hotel) |- | X42, 552, X50 | Glenorchy | Elizabeth St | '''B1''' (Mövenpick Hotel) |- | 551, 552, 553 | Lenah Valley | Elizabeth St | '''B1''' (Mövenpick Hotel) |- | 560, 561 | Glenorchy | Macquarie St | '''C1''' (Colonial Mutual Life Building) |- | 562 | Springfield | Macquarie St | '''C1''' (Colonial Mutual Life Building) |- | 606 | Shoreline Shopping Centre | Macquarie St | '''C1''' (Colonial Mutual Life Building) |- | 654, 655 | [[Mornington, Tasmania|Mornington]] | Macquarie St | '''C1''' (Colonial Mutual Life Building) |- | 664, X64 | Seven Mile Beach | Macquarie St | '''C1''' (Colonial Mutual Life Building) |- | 676 | [[Rosny Park]] | Macquarie St | '''C1''' (Colonial Mutual Life Building) |- | 725 | [[Richmond, Tasmania|Richmond]] | Elizabeth St | '''D4''' ([[Hobart Town Hall]]) |- | 726 | [[Campania, Tasmania|Campania]] | Elizabeth St | '''D4''' (Hobart Town Hall) |- | 731, X31, X33 | [[Sorell, Tasmania|Sorell]] | Elizabeth St | '''D4''' (Hobart Town Hall) |- | 732, X32 | [[Dodges Ferry]] | Elizabeth St | '''D4''' (Hobart Town Hall) |- | 734 | Nubeena | Elizabeth St | '''D4''' (Hobart Town Hall) |- | 736 | [[Swansea, Tasmania|Swansea]] | Elizabeth St | '''D4''' (Hobart Town Hall) |- | 737 | [[Bicheno]] | Elizabeth St | '''D4''' (Hobart Town Hall) |- | 540 | [[Mount Stuart, Tasmania|Mount Stuart]] & [[West Hobart]] | Liverpool St | '''L1''' (Elizabeth St Mall) |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Hobart landmarks}}
[[Category:Bus stations in Australia]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Hobart]] [[Category:Transport in Hobart]]