Bus drivers warn of transport chaos from Monday as NSW Govt axes thousands of bus services across Sydney

Media release, 29 January 2023: Bus drivers are warning commuters to expect transport chaos from Monday 30 January, as Transport for NSW and the NSW Government cuts thousands of bus services across Sydney.

From Monday, over 100 bus driver shifts and thousands of bus trips will be cancelled, including in regions 6, 7, 8 and 9 – a move which bus drivers say will result in huge queues and crowding along major trunk routes.

Tram and Bus Division President of the Rail, Tram and bus Union (RTBU) NSW, Peter Grech, the service changes being made by Transport for NSW in conjunction with the private bus operators have come about as a result of the government’s failed bus privatisation agenda.

“Commuters should brace for chaos at our bus stops from Monday as the NSW Government axes thousands of trips in an attempt to deal with the fallout of its bus privatisation,” Mr Grech said.

“The NSW Government’s decision to privatise our buses has been an absolute disaster. In addition to all the other issues caused by privatisation, they’re now struggling to attract and retain bus drivers, which means operators are axing hundreds of services every day.

“The NSW Government is officially axing thousands of trips from Monday because they simply cannot deliver the quality service commuters deserve.

“We’re already seeing incredibly large queues at bus stops, but that will get much worse on Monday when services are axed, many people return to work and kids return to school.”

Passengers urged to respect bus drivers

The union is urging all passengers to remember to show respect to bus drivers during what will inevitably be a tough time for commuters.

“Bus drivers understand passengers’ frustration because we’re frustrated too. It’s important to remember that it’s not the drivers’ fault that our bus services are being so poorly managed – it’s the fault of the NSW Government and Transport for NSW,” Mr Grech said.

“If passengers are angry, which they should be, we’d urge them to contact Transport for NSW, not take it out on the bus drivers who are just trying to do their job.

“These changes don’t only impact commuters, they’re also impacting bus drivers with over 100 shifts a day being cancelled.

“We’ve got incompetent operators trying to pick up the pieces of the government’s decision to privatise our services, and commuters and drivers are bearing the brunt of it.”