Launceston's bus network is set to get a further revamp come July, when new routes and timetables will be implemented.
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It comes after initial changes were made to the network in January this year.
Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the additional "enhancements" would ensure that bus services across the region "meet the needs of local communities".
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"Based on feedback received since January, the [State Growth] Department has identified further improvements to services across Evandale, the East Coast and in Summerhill/West Launceston and South Launceston, with new routes and timetables commencing on July 5, 2020," he said.
The improved services include a change to the Metro service from Summerhill to Launceston (route 165), which will now go past the Launceston General Hospital on Charles Street "in order to better connect the community to healthcare services".
Increased bus frequencey will be trialled on the South Launceston to Launceston service (route 147), which Mr Ferguson said would facilitate better access for Normanstone Road residents and people from the western part of Kings Meadows.
Trial services from Waverley to Mowbray and North Riverside to Launceston City will be extended until January 2022, while a new weekday trial service will be introduced for Trevallyn, encompassing Reatta Road, New World Avenue, Dandenong Road and Delungra Road.
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There will also be three new Saturday services for the East Coast - two between St Marys and Bicheno (one in the morning and one in the evening) and one between Coles Bay and Bicheno in the late evening - and an additional weekday service from Launceston to Evandale in the afternoon.
"We have maintained our commitment to listening to community feedback and making changes where appropriate to provide improved access to jobs, school, shops, healthcare and local services," Mr Ferguson said.
"The new service schedule which commenced in January was the result of significant redesign and community consultation - designed to be more frequent, faster and more direct so that more people want to catch the bus.
"Prior to the pandemic, the new schedule had early signs of success, with an increase of 674 adult passengers in the first month compared to the same time last year."
