A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR- Leigh Gray

Brighton has changed significantly over the past decade. Our municipality has grown into a thriving community of more than 21,000 residents, with local employment doubling and more young families choosing Brighton as the place to build their future.

Major infrastructure investments, particularly the new Bridgewater Bridge, are strengthening our connection to the wider Hobart region and positioning Brighton as an important northern growth corridor. However, as our community grows and evolves, our transport network must keep pace.

Reliable public transport is essential for people to access work, education, training and essential services. For many Brighton residents—especially young people travelling to Hobart colleges, UTAS and TasTAFE, apprentices starting early shifts, and households without multiple cars—bus services are not simply a convenience; they are a gateway to opportunity.

Council is advocating for practical improvements that can make a real difference in the short term. These include the rollout of long-promised Sunday services, extending express bus coverage, improving the coordination between connecting services and ensuring better coverage across Brighton township and Pontville. We are also proposing a modest Park and Ride facility near Old Main Road, integrated with the new bridge corridor, to make it easier for residents to connect with express services into Hobart.

Looking ahead, Council is proposing a pilot “community hopper” service using smaller electric buses operating local loops that connect neighbourhoods with main bus routes. This type of model could improve first and last kilometre connectivity while supporting a lower-emission transport future.

Brighton has delivered housing, jobs and strong population growth. Now we need the transport infrastructure to match. Improving public transport will help strengthen workforce participation, support young people pursuing education and apprenticeships, and ensure everyone in our community can access the opportunities our region offers.

Council will continue to advocate strongly for these improvements so Brighton can continue to grow as a connected, inclusive and thriving community.

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray