SkyBus record year in Hobart and ‘ace’ start to Melbourne events season

A record number of visitors to Tasmania have chosen SkyBus as their means to get from Hobart Airport to their destination in the city.

As the popular express service marks its sixth year of operation in the Apple Isle, it has enjoyed its strongest patronage numbers on record. The company recorded 139,000 passengers in 2023—a number more than 13% ahead of pre-covid levels.

Campaigns including Tourism Tasmania’s The Off Season and Come Down For Air have helped the state with its post-covid recovery and continue to support Tasmania as a year-round destination.

Led by Manager Corey Slade and Kinetic’s local leadership team, in the last two years the company has invested in a number of customer innovations to ensure SkyBus continued to offer a world-class experience to visitors and locals alike.

The company introduced Tasmania’s first two electric buses into service which will celebrate two years on the road this year.

In the last 12 months the company also introduced a world-leading ticketing solution to its Hobart service offering customers the ability to make contactless payments on-board.

However, Mr Slade said the value for money, ease of use and friendly service offered by the local team were the key reasons that ensured passengers continued to choose SkyBus.

“Our team are incredibly proud that they are some of the first people to welcome visitors to Hobart, and passionate about making arriving in the city and transiting to their destinations an enjoyable experience,” he says.

“We all felt the effects of covid on tourism in Tasmania and we’re delighted to be here in our sixth year welcoming more people than ever. It’s testament to an amazing team that people continue to ride with us.”

SkyBus’s flagship service in Melbourne has also enjoyed a busy start to the city’s major events calendar in 2024, serving up a world-class welcome for spectators landing in town for the Australian Open.

With Melbourne Airport experiencing its busiest month since the onset of covid and an all-time monthly record of international flights in December, numbers are also soaring at SkyBus on the mainland.

Daily patronage exceeded 11,000 passengers during the tennis tournament – a taste for what’s to come as SkyBus gears up for the Taylor Swift concert at the MCG February 16 – 18, the International Flower & Garden Show March 20 – 24 and Australian Grand Prix March 21 – 24.

“Melbourne truly does start with SkyBus and we’re very excited for what is going to be a big 2024 for the team,” says SkyBus Melbourne GM Jason Balkin.