The union representing public transport workers is imploring Tasmania's political parties to release their transport policies ahead of the state election, with overcrowding on Metro buses highlighted as a significant issue.
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The Rail, Tram and Bus Union said neither the Liberals, Labor nor the Greens had "adequately addressed" the need for more public transport options in the election announcements they had made to date.
RTBU Tasmania branch secretary Ric Bean said public transport was the most efficient way to move people around "our increasingly congested urban spaces".
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"It's also a vital service for people who can't, or don't want to, drive, and for connecting our regional towns," he said.
"Public transport policies should be front-and-centre in this state election, but so far we've seen nothing in terms of policy announcements. It's time they put their public transport cards on the table."
Bus driver Jody Nichols, who is the RTBU's bus division secretary, said overcrowding was becoming more prevalent on buses in Tasmania.
"Bus overcrowding during school terms has always been a problem but we're seeing it more often now," Mr Nichols said.
"Overcrowding happens right around the state - but the problems are worst in Hobart.
"It's on school buses where we are leaving kids behind, and it's on regular service buses where people could be waiting as two or three buses go past because we can't fit them in.
"One person I picked up recently had missed four passing buses because they were all full."
Mr Nichols said more buses needed to be operating at peak times so "kids do not get left behind".
One person I picked up recently had missed four passing buses because they were all full.
- Jody Nichols, bus driver
The Liberals have committed to investing $23 million as part of a joint state-federal funding arrangement to address traffic congestion hotspots in the state's South, while Labor has a goal to increase full-fare paying public transport passengers by 50 per cent over 10 years.
The Greens, meanwhile, say they will invest in sustainable transport, including a Hobart ferry network and free public transport.
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