Public transport fail for Big Bash contest

WHAT a great finish to Monday’s BBL match at Blundstone. All that was left to do was to return to the Hobart CBD.

I chose to use public transport to get there. There was no mention of ferries in the paper, or any “special buses”. So, I used the normal service heading to Tranmere. A couple of family groups asked about a bus return (I didn’t hear the driver’s response) and they still took the bus. PreCovid there were free buses to the ground, with park and ride at the Regatta Ground, and a staging area (in Church St) for many buses returning. No problem getting to and from the ground.

There was no staging area, so I assumed buses would leave from the normal bus stop in Clarence St (as they did during the evening sessions of the Ashes Test in January, 2022).

On reading the timetable there, it was a surprise to find the last public holiday/Sunday service left at 8.20pm (just an hour after the match had started!). There were a number of people at the stop – most checking their smartphones. I thought there might be later buses leaving from the Rosny Bus Mall – alas – no!

It took an hour and a half to walk across the bridge to the Hobart Bus Mall.

The only bus operating on the Eastern Shore was SkyBus – and it wasn’t stopping.

The last Public Holiday services leaving the Hobart Bus Mall was a 7.40pm (down Sandy Bay) and a 9.10pm (to Blackmans Bay). But I was on the home stretch – just 20 minutes more. At least I got a good night’s sleep!

Has Cricket Tas fallen out with Metro? Does Metro find it difficult to source drivers for late-night holiday events? Was this just another push for the AFL Stadium due to “issues” with Blundstone’s location?

Luckily the three remaining BBL Blundstone matches WILL have public buses after the finishes (two Mondays: with four buses after the 10.15 finishes; and one Sunday: starting at 1.40pm serviced by evening buses to 8.20pm).

But I am concerned about our only remaining International match (the Women’s T20I v Pakistan) on Australia Day (a Public Holiday with the last bus at 8.20pm, after its 7:05pm start)!

Gill McClelland

Sandy Bay