Minister assigns Kings Cross security but more needed

Minister for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian has responded to the RTBU’s demands for increased security on bus services, by committing to security on new all night services from Kings Cross.

The RTBU wrote to the Minister following a number of assaults on bus drivers, requesting increased security on buses, particularly at night. Read more »

Union calls for increased security on bus services

The RTBU has written to the Transport Minister following another two brutal assaults on bus drivers in the last week. The union is demanding increased security on services at night particularly in party hot spots such as the city and Kings Cross to help protect drivers from aggressive, alcohol fueled passengers.

Bus diver safety must be a priority in Kings Cross fix-it

The callous assault of yet another bus driver over the weekend highlights what drivers have long known. We need increased security for public transport drivers on late night services from Kings Cross and in the city.

The State Government’s proposals to introduce more public transport between 1am and 4am will put even more bus and train drivers in potential danger of violent passenger behaviour.

There is no doubt that increasing public transport so alcohol-fuelled revellers get home faster will help alleviate some of the issues of violence and anti-social behaviour in Kings Cross and surrounding areas. But we won’t stand by and have this come at the expense of driver safety.

In the last three days alone we have seen two assaults on bus drivers – both who had to seek medical attention.

CCTV cameras in buses and on train stations are a good safety measure but they really only help to apprehend the offender after the fact.

The RTBU is now calling for increased security and transit officer presence on public transport late at night across the transport network to keep potentially violent people in check and ensure assaults don’t happen in the first place.

Drivers must be able to expect to finish a shift without a trip to the nearest hospital emergency department. So any proposal to increase late night public transport services must be accompanied by increased security for drivers.

Police have now released CCTV footage of the man alleged to have attacked the driver. If you see this man be sure to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 

Workers must be consulted on new trams

The Minister for Transport has announced a $20 million contract for the supply of new trams to run on the Inner West Light Rail Extension.

The RTBU is pleased to see the government recognise the need for new rolling stock on our tram network and welcomes this announcement.

In the past, however, all new trams used in the country have been manufactured in Australia to exceedingly high standards.

The RTBU is disappointed to see the contract awarded to an overseas supplier but hopes that the new stock will continue to reach the standards that Australian passengers and drivers are accustomed to.

To ensure this is the case tram workers must be engaged in consultation during the construction and testing process from the very beginning.

In the past experience of the RTBU, without proper consultation with transport workers, new rolling stock has the capacity to compromise productivity, proper safety procedures and occupational health and safety standards.

The RTBU will be seeking to work with the supplier and the government to establish a timeline of consultation to ensure the best possible outcomes for tram drivers and passengers.

Wynyard Transit Shop closure has drivers seeing red

The closure of the Transit Shop inside Wynyard station, just off Carrington Street is causing chaos for drivers in the area.

The shop was shut down about eight weeks ago after an OH&S check by WorkCover revealed an unsafe airconditioning system. State Transit maintains it is not their problem – it’s up to RailCorp to fix. 

The three staff who sold tickets and gave information and advice to travellers have been put on other duties. As a result, drivers are having to deal with irate passengers who can’t get any information about bus routes or which ticket is appropriate for their journey – and drivers are reporting that many are ending up with a ticket that is more expensive than they need or are underpaying for their journey.

Peak hour is particularly bad as people are directed to buy tickets at local convenience stores where they can get no advice or information, and worse, are hit with a surcharge for using EFTPOS and credit cards, or are told they can’t us EFTPOs unless they buy some other product. Read more »

Union will fight to keep buses in public hands

Following news reports in the Sun Herald on Sunday 3 June that the state government could hand government buses to the private sector , the RTBU Bus and Tram Division released the below statement to the media, vowing to fight to keep State Transit in public hands:

Privatising buses leaves passengers stranded

A sell off of the State’s public bus system would result in less services, less often and a huge reduction in overall service levels said the Rail, Tram and Bus Union today.

RTBU Bus Division President Gary Way said there is no evidence that privatisation has led to any benefits to commuters in other states, but there were plenty of examples of privatisations gone horribly wrong.

“A quality public transport system, which is expected in a world class city such as Sydney should not be handed to the private sector.

“This would be bad policy with terrible results for the travelling public.” Read more »

The Hot Topic

Let’s make sure we are ready 

After the Kingsgrove BBQ the RTBU recently held, we received a great letter from one of our members. It said:

Gary hi,

Thank you to you, Chris & David for coming to our depot & extending a very welcome gesture through a simple BBQ.

I think we have made a few giant leaps towards building unity (at Kingsgrove at least)…..something we will desperately need in the months ahead.

Many thanks to all three gents for your efforts today.

Kind regards…

It’s a great letter, not because it thanks the union (though we are glad he enjoyed the BBQ), but because it recognises something important.

It recognises that our union strength comes from working together. And it recognises we have a fight ahead.

There are big changes coming for transport in NSW. Some of those changes have already started.

It started with Barry O’Farrell’s attack on public sector workers, capping our pay at 2.5% and reducing the powers of the Industrial Relations Commission.

Now we have had the recent announcement of competitive tendering for private bus operators and 750 voluntary redundancies and a restructure at RailCorp.

These changes leave us in no doubt about this government’s attitude towards transport workers as it rolls out its plans to “fix” NSW transport.

But when RTBU members come together we are a force to be reckoned with and we won’t tolerate attacks on fellow transport workers.

So let’s make sure we are ready to work together.

Confirm your details with the union now by updating them in the right-hand column of the website and make sure you come along to the next BBQ at your depot, meet your RTBU officials and have some lunch with your workmates.

RTBU goes in to battle for members’ rights

This week your union sent a strong message to the Minister for Transport that any attack on workers rights is unacceptable.

The NSW Government has announced they will be offering 750 voluntary redundancies in RailCorp middle management, splitting RailCorp into two entities Sydney Rail and NSW Rail, and introducing a new management regime for cleaners.

These cuts do not affect Bus and Tram workers but they indicate the attitude this government has to dedicated transport workers. Your union met with the Minister for Transport after the announcement and made it clear that the government’s treatment of workers would not be tolerated. Read more »

Briefing scheduled for STA’s Western Sydney bus members

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian has today announced that STA’s Western Sydney Buses contract to operate the Liverpool to Parramatta T-way will be transferred to a private operator.

The full details of this announcement and implications for drivers have not yet been made available.

STA CEO Peter Rowley has advised the union that he will be at Bonnyrigg depot on Thursday 3 May at 10:30am to provide a briefing to affected employees. 

At the briefing he will outline how STA intend to look after employees affected by the decision.

Between now and then, the union will be advocating strongly for members to ensure they get the best possible outcome in terms of job opportunities and entitlements from this change.

If you have any questions or concerns about this please contact the union office at: info@busexpress.com.au or on (02) 9319 7277.

Monorail must be replaced by better public transport

The State Government today announced that it has bought out Metro Transport Sydney, and will tear down the monorail. Read more »