Newcastle bus and ferry commuters will ride for free today as part of industrial action by the Rail Tram and Bus Union.
Bus drivers and ferry workers won't be asking commuters to pay for tickets or tap their Opal Cards as they continue to protest against plans to privatise the city's public transport.
The Union's Chris Preston says state transit workers want the same transition deal offered to other public sector workers who've had their industries privatised.
"The government said they're not going to do the same arrangements that they have done in the past. When I've asked why, a government authority said 'because they don't deserve it' ", he said.
