Bus stop that hasn't changed costs city almost $9 million

Launceston's central bus interchange on St John Street remains a persistent headache for the city, costing ratepayers nearly $9 million over two decades with no resolution in sight. Despite being a focal point for discussions at Launceston City Council meetings at least 26 times since 2017, consecutive plans to shift the bus stop have failed.

The on-street interchange has long been blamed for antisocial behavior, which nearby businesses claim negatively impacts their profits. Property owner Allan Barr expressed frustration, stating he would not have invested in St John Street properties if he had known the bus stops would remain.

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We are at our wit's end.

Past attempts to find a solution have been costly. Expenses include the purchase of a building intended for a new bus station that never materialized, consultants' reports, and legal fees. The council has also spent between $25,000 and $30,000 on security guards for the area in the first four weeks of deployment, with a contract for ongoing security currently out for tender.

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We are left with extremely limited choices.

One proposal to move the stops to Civic Square was met with resistance from the Department of State Growth and Metro. They cited the need to re-time the bus network, a lack of resources, and increased walking distances for passengers in areas with less CCTV coverage. Councillors have described the ongoing process as a "dog's breakfast" and "disappointing."

Currently, the council is considering only minor adjustments. One option involves moving some bus stops further north along St John Street, while another suggests keeping all stops in their current location. The council has commissioned at least five reports related to the interchange since 2011, with costs totaling thousands of dollars.

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[It's] just preposterous really.