Tram and Bus News Bus Taskforce Interim Report
The Bus Taskforce - set up by the NSW Government to review the way our bus services are - or more appropriately, aren’t - working in this state, recently handed down its report findings. The findings from the Bus Taskforce Report came as no surprise to both long-suffering commuters and bus drivers who have long advocated for better pay and improved working conditions. After the previous government tried to sell the idea that its bungled privatisation plan would lead to better services, we’re now in a situation where we have a huge bus driver shortage, poorer performing services, and a two-tiered payment system that treats drivers unfairly depending on where they work. The privatisation of the bus industry during the previous Liberal government’s tenure is undeniably at the core of the issues we are facing in the industry now.
And while it is positive to see the NSW Government in-principle agreement with the report’s main points, we can’t just stop at agreements. We need real action to fix these ongoing issues caused by the cost-cutting from privatisation. The bottom line: public transport is a vital service, and it should never have been handed off to private companies. The Minns Labor government has started taking steps towards fixing the mess, but there’s still a very long way to go.
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RAIL & ROAD September 2023
