BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has welcomed calls for Newcastle's bus network to be back under public ownership.
It follows news the State government is investigating the possibility of returning Newcastle's buses to the public sector, once Keolis Downer's contract ends at the end of 2027.
Under the former Coalition government, Newcastle buses were privatised back in 2017, with a commitment to ensure improved bus services as a whole.
Almost 10 years later, Newcastle's bus network is plagued by a host of customer complaints and safety concerns.
The Union's NSW Tram and Bus Division President, Peter Grech said the community has suffered a range of various impacts, ever since Keolis Downer began operating Newcastle's bus network.
"The community, as a whole has suffered," he said.
"When they took over, they cut services in half, there's communities left isolated, [and] services not showing up that are scheduled to show up.
"There's a lot of inconsistencies in regards to Keolis Downer's operations."
He went further to state the Union is looking forward to helping improve the quality of Newcastle's bus network, should a transition to public ownership occur.
"The community in Newcastle has been left with a 'have-to-use' service rather than a 'want-to-use' service, and we want to turn that around," he said.
"I think it's a really important part for the community.
"It just blossoms everything, when people are using public transport, they're using local shops, [and] using local community services."
The Union will be launching their latest report into the impacts of privatisation on the quality of Newcastle buses tonight at NEX.
Community members are invited to attend.
