Company spends $10m to overhaul its services

ONE of Australia’s top bus companies, which has gradually grown its Tasmanian portfolio to become one of the leading operators in the state, says it is set to invest $10m in its island state operations in the next 18 months.

Kinetic Group, which first gained a Tasmanian foothold in 2018 with the launch of Hobart Airport’s SkyBus, has just unveiled an upgrade of its Launceston depot.

The revived depot features capacity for an additional 40 vehicles, brand-new amenities for drivers and support teams, new office space for network controllers, management and sales teams, and enhanced maintenance and wash-bay facilities to keep the locallybased vehicles on the road.

The company described the Launceston depot as the “strategic centre” of its bus network.

Further investment slated for the next 18 months include an “overhaul of the company’s Hobart depot, upgrades to key transit centres in Hobart and Launceston, and introduction of new vehicle livery and uniforms reflecting Kinetic’s brand”.

Approximately $10m is set to be invested over that time frame.

To help drive the changes – Tasmania is described as a “major growth area for Kinetic’s Australian business”, with Redline Coaches and MerseyLink acquired in the past four years – Kinetic has appointed a new general manager for Tasmania, Drew Freeman.

Mr Freeman was most recently GM of Statewide Independent Wholesalers Ltd.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Kinetic at such an exciting time for transport in Tasmania as we partner with the state government to drive improvements that enhance this vital piece of social infrastructure for both locals and tourists alike,” Mr Freeman said.

“This is about encouraging more people to get out of their cars and on to public transport by lifting the travel experience and making our solution clean and green for generations to come.”

Tasmania’s fleet now includes 209 buses – including the state’s first two battery electric buses at Hobart Airport – and it has 250 employees in the state.

Kinetic provides government-contracted school and general access services, as well as tourism and general charters, and event services.