Launceston's bus transit centre to close leaving commuters, tourists on the street

Commuters travelling from Tasmania's north to other parts of the state will be left without a transit centre, with bus services now set to arrive and depart from the side of a street. 

Launceston's Cornwall Square Transit Centre is the central hub for travellers to and from key destinations around the state, including Hobart, as well as the Meander Valley, the north-west coast, and the east coast.

But the site is privately owned and bus services need to relocate after the tenancy was not renewed.

Instead of arriving and departing at the transit centre, which included a large indoor seating area and toilet facilities, buses will pick up and drop off passengers on the side of a street, around 200 metres away.

Tasmania's Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the change, which comes into effect in May, "isn't ideal" but said he respected the decision of the building owner.

"It has been a good centre for Launceston and I am personally quite disappointed that we are going to lose the access to that asset as a community," he said.

A shelter will be built on the footpath and some seating will be installed at the new location.

The closest public toilets are around 200 metres away in Civic Square.

Staff from the bus companies will be stationed at the new Charles Street stop to sell tickets and assist with luggage and boarding.

Travellers had previously been able to leave their luggage at the transit centre to be loaded onto the buses, but will now need to coordinate their own storage.

The Department of State Growth said it was working with bus operators and the Launceston City Council to secure a long-term location.

"Hopefully something better can be identified," Mr Ferguson said.

It is unclear what the transit centre building will be used for going forward.

The transit centre in the north-west city of Devonport closed in 2021.