A man responsible for a bus crash which killed three cancer patients in northern Tasmania last year has been sent to jail after his sentence appeal failed.

Truck driver Harvey John Charnock pleaded guilty to causing death and grievous bodily harm by negligent driving.

It was found he failed to properly secure his trailer which hit a Cancer Council Bus on the Bass Highway near Elizabeth Town in September last year.

Three people were killed and four were seriously injured.

In June, the 55-year-old was sentenced to nine months in prison but appealed against his jail term.

In the Supreme Court in Launceston, Justice Robert Pearce dismissed the appeal.

Charnock will be eligible for parole in six months.

The driver of the bus, Maverick Tours, says the sentence is too lenient.

“Three people died, 61 days a life, it’s not a penalty,” he said.

A victim’s family member, James Lutwyche, says he is pleased Charnock will serve jail time.

“It’s not going to bring our families back but at the end of the day that’s the system because the maximum penalty’s only 12 months,” he said.

“So he’s got six at least, he’s going to get a feeling on how we feel not seeing our loved ones.”