A new bus interchange south of Hobart has sat unused for 10 months because of a major design flaw — the corner is too tight for the buses.
It means the interchange at Kingston cannot accommodate the required three buses at a time, and is considered not fit-for-purpose unless changes are made.
The interchange was completed in January, but is unable to be used. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Kingborough Council constructed the interchange in an attempt to remove bus congestion from the Channel Highway.
Mayor Paula Wriedt told ABC Radio Breakfast that the north-bound turning circle was "too extreme" for the buses, claiming that the plans had been "ticked off" by the Department of State Growth.
Loading...However, a department spokesperson said that it did not approve the designs, and had "repeatedly raised concerns with council" about safety and accessibility.
The council undertook a trial last month to determine possible solutions to the design flaw and found that "minor modifications" are needed to be made to the turning circle to make it functional.
The department says it will provide recommendations early next week, after getting input from bus operators.
Once the feedback is received, the modifications can proceed.
Frustrations growing over wait
The $300,000 bus interchange was funded through the Hobart City Deal, plus an additional $800,000 to acquire the land and demolish the old infrastructure.
It is not yet known how much it may cost to fix the bus interchange's design problem.
Kingborough Council and the Department of State Growth are at odds over how the plans were approved. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Cr Wriedt said it had become a drawn-out process.
"It certainly hasn't been a cheap project by any stretch of the imagination," she said.
"And that's why it's frustrating that we've spent that money to try and upgrade the amenity for bus users and this is the result, that we're in this holding pattern.
"We are working to try and get this up and running as soon as possible, but I will say the wheels on the bus of the Department of State growth, they are running very slowly."
Delays a pain for residents too
The delay is having impacts on Kingston residents.
For almost two years, passengers have had to use temporary bus stops located along Goshawk Way on the outskirt of Kingston's CBD, which has doubled the walking distance that some passengers need to undertake to access public transport from the main retail area.
The bus stop on Goshawk Way that is still in use. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
One public transport user told ABC Radio Breakfast that the delayed opening of the new interchange is taking its toll on their health.
"I have a medical condition affecting my mobility, and making my way to the temporary bus stop is sometimes impossible, and I'm one of a growing number of disgruntled residents," Kingston resident Phil said.
The old bus stops, and where the new interchange has been built, run through the centre of the CBD, providing convenient access to both sides of precinct.
The continued reliance on the Goshawk Way bus stop is creating accessibility issues. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Cr Wriedt said this was only meant to be a temporary solution.
"It is a lot further away from the central CBD, and unfortunately, there are people who have limited mobility and or who are reliant on mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, who can't make that trek," she said.
"The timelines on this really are blowing out in a way that, you know is very, very frustrating for everybody."
A department spokesperson said that "it is disappointing that the new Kingston Interchange is not yet operational".
"Once a design is finalised and Council has undertaken the necessary infrastructure changes, use of the interchange can commence," they said.
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