When 13-year-old Jack Triffitt from Gagebrook set out to get a bus reinstated for his trip to school, he probably didn’t expect to end up making headlines across Tasmania. But after two years of determination, emails, meetings and persistence, Jack has achieved exactly that — and his efforts have now been featured across ABC News and ABC Radio Hobart.

Jack catches the Route 530 bus from Gagebrook to school in Bridgewater Monday to Thursday. But for the past two years there was one big problem — the service didn’t run early enough on Fridays.

That meant Jack had to walk to school. And it wasn’t a simple stroll. His journey involved heading down a steep hill, through a muddy swamp, up rocky terrain, across a bridge and then another stretch of road before finally arriving at school — a walk that could take around 25 minutes or more.

Rather than accept the situation, Jack decided to do something about it. Working with the Brighton Youth Action Group, he began advocating for the service to be reinstated. Over the next two years he wrote emails, spoke with government departments and contacted politicians to explain why the Friday service mattered — not just for him, but for other students as well.

His message was simple: if students want to get to school on a Friday, there should be a way for them to get there.

The campaign paid off earlier this month when the Tasmanian Government confirmed the Friday bus service would be reinstated. Jack said he was “excited” to hear the news after working so long to achieve the change.

The return of the service will make it easier for local students to attend school five days a week and highlights the importance of reliable public transport in growing communities like Gagebrook and Bridgewater.

Jack’s success is also a powerful reminder that young people can make a real difference when they speak up about issues that matter to them.

For the Brighton Youth Action Group, it’s another example of what youth advocacy can achieve — and proof that even one determined young person can help create positive change for their whole community.

And for Jack?

It means that on Fridays, he’ll finally be catching the bus to school — just like everyone else.