METRO is hoping passengers and bus drivers will not participate in today's "No Fare Thursday" campaign co- ordinated by Unions Tasmania.
"I'm hoping that passengers totally ignore it. Bus fares aren't expensive," Metro chief executive officer Heather Haselgrove.
Ms Haselgrove again warned that passengers and drivers participating in the fare avoidance campaign run the risk of legal action.
Participating drivers could be taken to the Fair Work Commission and face pay deductions.
Ms Haselgrove said that Unions Tasmania secretary Kevin Harkins, who is leading the fare avoidance campaign, should know better.
"I think it's terrible he is asking people to act in an illegal manner," Ms Haselgrove said.
The protest action comes as bus drivers seek a 3 per cent pay rise.
Metro's final offer, which will be formally put to a ballot of drivers, is a 2.1 per cent increase, with other concessions.
Liberal spokesman for sustainable transport Matthew Groom labelled the campaign "provocative and unprotected wildcat action" in parliament yesterday. Last week, Sustainable Transport Minister Nick McKim said: "I basically take no notice of anything Kevin Harkins says."
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is not authorising the Unions Tasmania campaign but appreciates the support.
"It's not our campaign, but it's heartening to know that other unions are supporting the push," bus union secretary Sam Simonetis said.
A Facebook page set up to support the action had fallen well short of its aim of 1000 supporters, with just 255 late yesterday.
Ms Simonetis denied having knowledge of the No Fare Thursday plan before its launch by Unions Tasmania.
Ms Simonetis, herself a bus driver, said she would be acting no differently today than any other day.