2026 Back to School: General Access Alternatives to School Bus Routes
As with last year, the Department of State Growth has determined that Metro Tasmania will commence running school bus services from the first day of Term 1 for Tasmanian government schools. This means that for 2026, all Metro school services will commence on Thursday 5 February.
If your school resumes prior to this date, you may need to utilise alternate transport options, including one of Metro’s general access public services, where available.
Metro’s general access public bus services state-wide will operate to the school holiday timetables up until 5 February 2026, with services marked on the timetable with ‘S – service operates on school days only’ not operating prior to this date.
We understand that this may cause some disruption for you or your student, so to assist with planning school transport, we have collated details of some of the key Metro general access public services operating near to your school.
School Bus Route: 847AM
Route description: Trevallyn, Riverside, North Riverside to Launceston Christian School
Alternative services:
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.
School Bus Route: 860PM
Route description: Launceston Christian School to City via Trevallyn
Alternative services:
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.
School Bus Route: 891AM
Route description: Norwood & East Launceston to Launceston Church Grammar
Alternative services:
From Norwood:
- Catch the Route 140 service from Norwood to City, departing Opossum Rd at 7:37am, arriving in the City at 7:52am, then TRANSFER to Route 110 to University, departing City Stop B1 at 8:08am, alight at Mowbray Shops Stop 9 Out, then WALK approx. 750 metres to school.
From East Launceston (Abbott St)
- Catch the Route 142 service from Abbott St to City, departing Punchbowl terminus at 7:51am, arrive in the City at 8:04am, then TRANSFER to Route 110 to University, departing City Stop B1 at 8:08am, alight at Mowbray Shops Stop 9 Out, then WALK approx. 750 metres to school
School Bus Route: 865AM (has been re-numbered from 893AM)
Route description: City to Launceston Church Grammar Express
Alternative services:
- Turn Up & Go services to the northern suburbs depart City Stop B1 every ten minutes, alight at Mowbray Shops Stop 9 out, then WALK approx. 750 metres to school.
School Bus Route: 861PM (has been re-numbered from 890PM)
Route description: Launceston Church Grammar to East Launceston & Norwood
Alternative services:
To Norwood:
- WALK approx. 750 metres from Launceston Church Grammar to Mowbray Shops Stop 9 Inwards, then catch a Turn Up & Go service to the City departing every ten minutes or better. On arrival in the City, TRANSFER to the Route 140 service departing City Stop A1 at 4:06pm or 4:38pm.
To East Launceston (Abbott St):
- WALK approx. 750 metres from Launceston Church Grammar to Mowbray Shops Stop 9 Inwards, then catch a Turn Up & Go service to the City departing every ten minutes or better. On arrival in the City, TRANSFER to the Route 141 service departing Stop B1 at 4:10pm (circular service travels via Abbott St on return journey), OR the Route 142 service departing City Stop B1 at 4:40pm.
School Bus Route: 863PM (has been re-numbered from 892PM)
Route description: Launceston Church Grammar School to City Express
Alternative services:
- WALK approx. 750 metres from Launceston Church Grammar to Mowbray Shops Stop 9 Inwards, then catch a Turn Up & Go service to the City departing every ten minutes or better.
School Bus Route: Route 813AM
Route description: City to St Leonards schools via Elphin Rd & Penquite Rd
Alternative services:
- Catch the Route 140 service from the City to Norwood departing City Stop A2 at 8.11am.
School Bus Route: Route 813AM
Route description: City to St Leonards schools via Elphin Rd & Penquite Rd
Alternative services:
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.
School Bus Route: Route 816PM
Route description: St Leonards schools to City via Penquite Rd & Elphin Rd
Alternative services:
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.
School Bus Route: 243AM
Route description: Maranoa Heights, Blackmans Bay & Kingston Beach to City
Alternative services:
From Blackmans Bay:
- Route X07 departs Blackmans Bay at 7.30am, arrive City 8.10am, OR
- Route 500 departs Blackmans Bay at 7.43am via Maranoa Heights, arrive City 8.25am.
From Kingston Beach:
- Catch Route 411 departing Roslyn Ave/Algona Rd 7.37am, Kingston Beach 7.44, Kingston Central 7.52, arrive City 8.13am.
School Bus Route: 274PM
Route description: City to Kingston, Blackmans Bay, Maranoa Heights & Huntingfield
Alternative services:
To Kingston, Blackmans Bay & Maranoa Heights:
- Route 500 from City at 3.50pm
- Route 408 from City at 4.10pm
To Huntingfield:
- Route X01 departing City at 4.10pm
School Bus Route: 334PM
Route description: City schools to Lauderdale, Seven Mile Beach & Acton Park
Alternative services:
To Lauderdale:
- Route 634 departing City at 4.01pm
To Seven Mile Beach & Acton Park:
- Route 664 departing City at 3.45 or 4.27pm
School Bus Route: 307AM
Route description: Rosny Park, Clarence St & Rokeby to Emmanuel Christian School
Alternative services:
- Catch Route 625 departing Rosny Park Stop A at 7:46am, Shoreline at 7:55am and alight at Duntroon Drive/Fontain Circle Stop 30 Outwards at 8:07am
School Bus Route: 330PM
Route description: Emmanuel Christian School to Rokeby, Clarence St & Rosny Park
Alternative services:
- Catch Route 625 departing Duntroon Drive at 3:12pm
School Bus Route: 235AM
Route description: Upper Strickland Ave, Cascades to Taroona High
Alternative services:
Between Upper Strickland Ave and Marlyn Rd
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.
Between Marlyn Rd and Macquarie St
- Catch Route 446 departing Marlyn Rd at 7:30am, arrive in City 7:48am, then TRANSFER to Route 429 departing Franklin Square Stop D1 at 7:56am
School Bus Route: 237AM
Route description: Fern Tree & Huon Rd to Taroona High
Alternative services:
- Catch Route 448 departing Fern Tree at 7:15am, arrive City at 7:38am, then TRANSFER to Route 429 departing Franklin Square Stop D1 at 7:56am
School Bus Route: 241AM
Route description: Mt Nelson & Nelson Rd to Taroona High
Alternative services:
- Catch Route 457 departing Mt Nelson at 7:26am, arrive City 7:55am then TRANSFER to Route 401 departing Franklin Square Stop D3 at 8:03am
School Bus Route: 247AM
Route description: City to Taroona High via Sandy Bay Rd (Limited Stops)
Alternative services:
- Route 429 (Summerleas) departing City from Stop D1 at 7:56am
- Route 402 (Sandy Bay) departing City from Stop D3 at 8:03am
School Bus Route: 252PM
Route description: Fahan to Kingston & Blackmans Bay via Taroona
Alternative services:
To Taroona:
- Catch the Route 426 service departing Lower Sandy Bay at 3:31pm or the Route 429 service departing Lower Sandy Bay at 3.48pm.
To Bonnet Hill
- Catch the Route 429 service departing Lower Sandy Bay at 3.48pm.
To Kingston & Blackmans Bay:
- Catch any service travelling to the City and TRANSFER to Route 500 departing Franklin Square Stop D1 at 3:50pm, Route X07 departing Stop D1 at 4:10pm, Route 408 departing Stop D1 at 4:10pm, or Route 409 departing Stop D1 at 4:19pm
School Bus Route: 605AM
Route description: Tranmere to St Virgil’s via Friends (Elizabeth St)
Alternative services:
- Route 605AM in vacation mornings travels via Elizabeth St North Hobart. Students can alight at their regular stop.
School Bus Route: 605PM
Route description: St Virgil’s to Tranmere via Friends (Elizabeth St)
Alternative services:
- Catch any service from Elizabeth St travelling to the City, then TRANSFER to Route 615 departing City Stop A3 at 4:11pm
School Bus Route: 243AM
Route description: Maranoa Heights, Blackmans Bay & Kingston Beach to Friends
Alternative services:
From Blackmans Bay & Maranoa Heights:
- Catch Route 500 departing Wells Pde at 7:23am, Kingston Fire Station 7:35am, Kingston Central 7:43am. This service continues through the City to Glenorchy, Friends students alight on Elizabeth St
From Kingston Beach:
- Catch Route 411 departing Roslyn Ave/Algona Rd 7:37am, Kingston Beach 7:44am, Kingston Central 7:52am, arrive City 8:13am then TRANSFER to any Turn Up & Go service departing City Stop A1, Friends students alight on Elizabeth St
School Bus Route: 206PM, 208PM
Route description: Friends to City
Alternative services:
- Walk to Elizabeth St and catch any service heading towards the City.
School Bus Route: 254PM
Route description: Friends to Kingston & Maranoa Heights via Taroona
Alternative services:
To Taroona:
- Walk to Elizabeth St and catch any service heading towards the City, then TRANSFER Route 429 (Summerleas) departing Stop D1 at 4:00pm, or Route 426 (Taroona) departing Stop D1 at 4:15pm.
To Kingston & Maranoa Heights:
- Walk to Elizabeth St and catch any service heading towards the City, then TRANSFER to Route 408 departing Stop D1 at 4:10pm.
School Bus Route: 334PM
Route description: St Mary’s College to Lauderdale, Seven Mile Beach & Acton Park
Alternative services:
To Lauderdale:
- Walk to Elizabeth St and catch any service heading towards the City, then TRANSFER to Route 634 departing Stop A3 at 4:01pm, or Route X34 departing Stop A3 at 4:36pm.
To Seven Mile Beach & Acton Park:
- Walk to Elizabeth St and catch any service heading towards the City, then TRANSFER to Route 664 departing City Stop C1 at 3:45pm or 4:27pm.
School Bus Route: 235AM
Route description: Upper Strickland Ave, Cascades to Taroona High
Alternative services:
Between Upper Strickland Ave and Marlyn Rd
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.
Between Marlyn Rd and Macquarie St
- Catch Route 446 departing Marlyn Rd at 7.30am, arrive in City 7:48am, then TRANSFER to Route 401 departing Franklin Square Stop D3 8:03am.
School Bus Route: 237AM
Route description: Fern Tree & Huon Rd to Taroona High
Alternative services:
- Catch Route 448 departing Fern Tree at 7:15am, arrive City at 7:38am, then TRANSFER to Route 401 departing Franklin Square Stop D3 at 8:03am.
School Bus Route: 241AM
Route description: Mt Nelson & Nelson Rd to Taroona High
Alternative services:
- Catch Route 457 departing Mt Nelson at 7:26am, arrive City 7:55am then TRANSFER to Route 401 departing Franklin Square Stop D3 at 8:03am.
School Bus Route: 247AM
Route description: City to Taroona High via Sandy Bay Rd (Limited Stops)
Alternative services:
- Route 429 (Summerleas) departing City from Stop D1 at 7:56am.
- Route 402 (Sandy Bay) departing City from Stop D3 at 8:03am.
School Bus Route: 334PM
Route description: Mt Carmel College to Lauderdale, Seven Mile Beach & Acton Park
Alternative services:
To Lauderdale:
- Catch any service heading towards the City from either Churchill Ave or Sandy Bay Rd, then TRANSFER to Route 634 departing Stop A3 at 4:01pm or Route X34 at 4:36pm.
To Seven Mile Beach & Acton Park:
- Catch any service heading towards the City from either Churchill Ave or Sandy Bay Rd, then TRANSFER to Route 664 departing City Stop C1 at 3:45 or 4:27pm.
School Bus Route: 429 (ex-City at 7:47am)
Route description: City to Summerleas via Taroona (extends on school days to St. Aloysius)
Alternative services:
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.
School Bus Route: 412 (ex-Margate at 3:09pm)
Route description: St Aloysius to Kingston Central, then City via Taroona
Alternative services:
- Unfortunately, Metro’s general access services do not cover this area outside of school terms prior to Thursday 5 February 2026.