NSW Government to blame for bus services changes – not workers

Media release, 30 January 2023: The NSW Government’s cuts to bus services, which have come into effect today, are the result of planned changes made by the NSW Government’s Transport for NSW and nothing to do with bus drivers who are simply trying to do their job, the Tram and Bus Division of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union says.

President of the Tram and Bus Division of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW, Peter Grech, said comments by the Premier yesterday blaming workers for the service changes are untrue, ridiculous and offensive.

“There is no action by bus drivers, nor has there been any suggestion of it. All we’re doing is informing commuters of the bus cuts coming into place today – a job Transport for NSW should have been doing themselves,” Peter Grech said.

“The Premier’s comments reek of the fake rail strike of last year where they tried to blame workers for their decision to stop the railway. It is outrageous for the Premier to suggest that there is any action being taken, knowing full well that there is no action at all.

“The Premier should admit that he’s comments blaming drivers were blatantly untrue. Bus drivers already bear the brunt of some passengers’ frustration at cuts to services. Comments like this can only make things worse.”

Mr Grech said the cuts – which in many instances mean the time between services has been blown out – have been in the works for over five weeks, and Transport for NSW has clearly admitted the cuts have been made.

“The simple fact is that huge service cuts, planned by Transport for NSW, have come into effect today.  

“Since they privatised the buses they’re struggling to attract and retain enough drivers to do the job. As a result hundreds of trips are being cancelled on an ad hoc basis every day. The decision they’ve made is to just cut thousands of trips permanently reflects the fact they simply can’t keep up with the quality service commuters deserve.

“We’re already seeing incredibly large queues at some bus stops, but we’re expecting that get much worse today and the rest of the week when many people return to work and kids return to school.