Union Calls For Action After Violent Bus Attack

BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

Local unions members are calling for better safety protections on Newcastle buses, after a driver was violently attacked by a passenger earlier this week. 

At around 11pm on Wednesday night, police were called to the Pacific Highway at Charlestown following reports a bus passenger allegedly punched and stabbed a driver in the hand. 

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with numerous offences. 

However, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has said the attack has worsened fears around the current safety measures present on Newcastle buses. 

The incident comes alongside more than 12 months of enterprise bargaining between the RTBU and private transport operator Keolis Downer, over safety measures, pay and working conditions. 

Tram and Bus Division President Peter Gresch said the attack highlights the ongoing safety risks drivers are currently facing within the region. 

"This is a horrific attack on a worker who was simply doing his job," Mr. Grech said.

"We've seen a string of violent incidents on Newcastle buses in recent months. 

"Drivers have been spat on, bashed, assaulted - and now even stabbed. 

"This cannot continue."

Mr Gresch added the incident should not be overlooked by Keolis Downer. 

"It should be a strong wake-up call for not only Keolis Downer, but for the NSW Government and Transport NSW as well," Mr Gresch said. 

"They need to act and react to what's happened. 

"We've been calling for these changes for many, many years and everyone keeps sitting on their hands."

The RTBU is calling for immediate discussions to ensure stronger protections are put in place to keep both drivers and passengers safe.

Picture: RTBU

BUS STRIKE – Services to Halt From 4am Friday

 The Rail Tram and Bus Union says they’ll be on strike from tomorrow, with services including regular routes, school services and night owl Saturday services suspended from 4am on Friday to 4am on Saturday.

The 24-hour strike is an escalation following a refusal of Operator Keolis Downer’s proposed enterprise agreement when it was put to a ballot.

Rail, Train and Bus Union Divisional President Peter Grech says the proposed agreement is a three-year contract which would continue past 2027, when it’s expected Keolis Downer’s agreement with the State Government will run out.

“So we don’t want to be locked into an agreement where where there’s no Keolis Downer anymore. So we’re just ensuring that the money which is put in our pockets is negotiated through the Keolis Downer,” he said.

“We just apologise for the inconvenience to the commuters. We didn’t want to get to this. We’ve been trying not to inconvenience commuters and we’re hoping for some sort of resolution,” he said.

It’s understood a last minute meeting has been held today in an attempt to reach an agreement to stop the action.

Credit / Wikimedia Commons

Keolis Downer Puts New Pay Offer To Newcastle Bus Drivers

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle bus operator Keolis Downer has put a revised offer to drivers in the hope of bringing industrial action to an end.

The company has made an Enterprise Agreement pay offer of 15.5% over four years with an extra 8% over the same period for Year 1 trainees.

This Trainee offer is designed to close the current wage gap and boost recruitment and retention of staff in the long term.

The revised offer retains existing conditions and entitlements.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union is yet to respond to the latest offer.

 

Wallsend MP Calls for Review into Keolis Downer's Contract

BY OLIVIA DILLON

It's hoped a review into the state's bus services will improve the public transport situation in the Hunter. 

Transport Minister Jo Haylen says the contracts between the former Liberal government and private bus operators have revealed companies were offered financial incentives to cancel bus services across the state.

The contracts for Sydney buses reportedly imposed financial penalties on companies for failing to meet "on time running" targets, however services which were cancelled did not count as late.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, says she plans to invite the Minster to the region, in order to review the contracts of local operator Keolis Downer. 

The company last month confirmed it had been cancelling more than 100 buses per day across Newcastle, blaming recruitment issues and driver shortages for the changes. 

Minister Haylen has reportedly sought urgent advice about what can legally be done to improve services across the state.

Image: Downer Group

Newcastle bus drivers reach agreement with Keolis Downer

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle bus drivers have ended their industrial action, after operator Keolis Downer reached an in-principle agreement with the union.  

It's understood, the company has agreed to a seven percent pay increase over two years, from November in 2022 and 2023, and will also be backpaid a three percent rise from last November.  

Ten other conditions have also been included to ease the work-life balance for members.

Keolis Downer originally offered a 10.5 percent pay rise over four years.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union members are set to vote, to accept or reject the offer. 

Warning Around Newcastle Light Rail Safety, Footage Released of Near Misses on the Track

BY ISABEL EVERETT

As part of Rail Safety Week 2020, Hunter residents are being urged to take care around the Newcastle light rail.

While the light rail has become a recognisable icon in the Newcastle CBD, Newcastle Transport tram drivers and operational controllers are reportedly frequently seeing motorists, cyclists and pedestrians putting themselves at risk by behaving unsafely around light rail.

Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop said the lack of awareness for road users and pedestrians is still concerning.

“Every day there are close calls on the network whether it is a motorist running a red light at Stewart Avenue or Steel Street or a pedestrian stepping out in front of an approaching tram,” said Mark Dunlop.

“Our tram drivers do an exceptional job of anticipating the behaviour of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Particularly as trams take longer to stop than other heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks and can’t swerve to avoid a collision.

“Forcing a tram to make a sudden stop doesn’t just put the tram driver, motorist, cyclist or pedestrian in danger, using the emergency brake has a flow on effect for all customers on board.”

Mr Dunlop stressed the need for the Newcastle community to be light rail safe all year round, not just during this dedicated week by following key safety tips.

“We ask road users to simply follow the road rules and be aware and cautious when driving around Newcastle light rail. 

“For pedestrians, be alert to your surroundings by taking your headphones off and putting your phone in your pocket, cross at the designated pedestrian crossings and only cross when the light is green.

“Cyclists should always keep a safe distance from trams and not ride along the tram tracks.”

“Take care around light rail and never assume the tram driver has seen you.” 

Throughout Rail Safety Week (10-16 August), the Newcastle Transport Team will be out and about on the network talking to the community about rail safety.

Newcastle's Park And Ride Service Extended

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council has committed to funding the park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium into the city for at least another year.

For the past 4 months, council has funded the service on a month-to-month basis after state funding ended with the opening of the light rail line.

Council has now locked in a contract with Keolis Downer which will see the cost of a return trip increase slightly to $4.60.

Around 1000 people use the service each week and council hopes the consistent patronage will help push the case for extending the light rail line.

McDonald Jones Stadium Manager Brett Campbell, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and commuter Jenni Payne

NSW Transport Reform Proposal

BY ALICE PEART

In documents released under Freedom of Information Laws, the state government has proposed a reform program for NSW transport to prevent cost blowouts over the next decade.

The release of the documents comes amidst existing concerns over the continuing reduction of services by private operator Keolis Downer in the Hunter.

The proposed changes would see fare hikes, the sale of state-owned properties and an overhaul of road levies and taxes to recoup billions of dollars in annual savings.

The savings attempt to address the projected nearly $4 billion needed annually from the state government by 2028.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling on the government to be transparent about the reform program which she says raises significant questions about the future of public transport in the Hunter.

Newcastle Tram Back In Service After Breakdown

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle's light rail has run into trouble just 4 days after trams began running on the network.

A tram broke down at the Newcastle Beach stop yesterday afternoon, forcing Keolis Downer to deploy a back-up vehicle.

It's understood the tram experienced a technical hitch with its pantograph, which raises up and down to draw power from an overhead charge bar.

Repairs were carried out on site with tram back in service last night.

Keolis Downer says there were no delays to services as a result of the breakdown.

The Broken Down Tram Yesterday  Picture theherald.com.au

Hamilton Misses Out On Beaumont Street Buses Again

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle bus operator, Keolis Downer is defending a decision not to include Beaumont Street Hamilton in it's revised bus routes.

The new timetable and routes came into force yesterday in response to a community backlash to the revised bus network announced in January.

The new network now includes more direct routes to the eastern side of Lake Macquarie, but no services down Beaumont Street, despite calls from the Hamilton Business Chamber.

Keolis Downer maintains there's no need for the service as only 60 passengers a day were using it before it was cut, and not having buses running along Beaumont Street has improved the urban amenity of the area.

Drivers Needed For Newcastle Light Rail

BY NADIA D'ANDREA

With construction drawing to a close, around 20 additional staff are needed to operate Newcastle's light rail system.

Keolis Downer Hunter is recruiting drivers and operational staff its new multimodal centre at Wickham.

Testing for the Newcastle light rail will commence in the coming months, “which means we need drivers to go,” Corporate Affairs Director, Andrew Fletcher said.

Keolis Downer is encouraging anyone who is interested to apply for the available positions.

"The most important requirement for our applicants is to be safety focused, where passengers are concerned and public transport is involved.

"But they also need good multitasking abilities - plenty of spatial awareness, peripheral vision, they need to be aware of pedestrian and vehicle movements at all times and they need to be fairly customer-centric," Mr Fletcher said. 

Successful applicants will undergo a rigorous 30-day long training course, which is a mix of "classroom style education and also on the job training...

"Being in the vehicles, getting familiar with the vehicles and during the testing and commissioning phase being out on the streets and getting familiar with the route as well," Mr Fletcher said. 

Response Still Lukewarm Following Newcastle Bus Change

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Newcastle's updated bus and ferry timetable is being met with criticism, following private transport operator Keolis Downer's unveiling this morning.

The updated timetable includes improvements to routes like the 14 between Swansea and the Newcastle, restoring a direct link into the CBD. 

Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said those in her electorate are relieved they no longer have to jump aboard three buses to reach the city, however believes long journey times are still posing an inconvenience. 

The Swansea to Newcastle link departing at 7:56am now takes 87 minutes to reach its destination.

"It now takes longer to get from Swansea Heads to Newcastle than it did before Keolis Downer introduced the new network," Ms Catley said. 

"That's just not good enough," she continued, "it is not incentivising people to use public transport and at the end of the day, that's supposed to be our objective - getting cars off the roads and bums on seats on buses." 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery accused Keolis Downer of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' in providing vital services to Lake Macquarie but reducing services within her electorate. 

"Not only were no changes made in parts of North Lambton, Lambton and Shortland, but now we will see reduced services to Wallsend as part of the refinements," Ms Hornery said. 

Meanwhile, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is disappointed the July 29 refinements will mark the loss of 92 ferry services, made up of 10 cuts on weekends and 21 throughout the week. 

"When ferry patronage is the only form of transport increasing," he said, "why would you cut services?" 

In a tweet, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce said it's disappointing no buses have been restored to travel down Beaumont Street. 

However, Corporate Affairs Director for Keolis Downer, Andrew Fletcher, said the changes come as a direct result of community feedback. 

"We've received over 2500 pieces of community feedback and we've analysed over 90,000 trips," he said, "changes like the direct connection for House With No Steps at Lambton address the bulk of concerns and make for a more efficient network." 

Mr Fletcher said Keolis Downer would double their efforts to make sure commuters were aware of which routes to take amid the shake-up. 

"From today, people will be able to study the new timetables applying to buses, school and ferry services," he said. 

An overview of the refinements along with updated network maps and timetables is available here.

Community drop-in sessions will be held by the network operator at the following locations:

Swansea Centre 228 Pacific Highway Swansea Monday 9 July 2018 4pm to 6pm.

Lake Macquarie Tavern 66 Wilsons Road Mount Hutton Tuesday 10 July 2018 4pm to 5.30pm.

The Place, Charlestown Frederick St, Charlestown Wednesday 11 July 2018 4pm to 6pm.

Patronage Decline Disputed for Buses

BY BRIANNA PORTER

Newcastle's Transport operator is disputing a reported downturn in passenger numbers.

Opal Card data released this week showed a significant fall in patronage of around 72,000 compared to the same time last year.

However, Keolis Downer says when the stadium park-and-ride and on-demand services are taken into account, 41,000 new passengers are hopping on the bus compared to this time last year.

Director of Corporate Affairs, Andrew Fletcher says Newcastle residents have never been better catered to. 

"Why has the region never been better connected? Well, it's to do with our new network design, frequent routes linking 8 major suburban hubs across metropolitan Newcastle, making it easier for people to get around the city," he said.

"Our aim is to move people further, faster and we're off to a good start with that," Mr Fletcher said.

Labor MPs deliver survey results to Keolis Downer

BY LIAM CALLISTER

The Hunter’s Labor MPs are today delivering the results of a survey into the Newcastle Transport system to bus operator, Keolis Downer.

It comes after Keolis last week announced some changes will be made to key routes on the timetable, however, the MPs believe more consultation needs to be carried out to meet community demand.

Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says she's been calling for greater consultation for a year now.

"And just last Friday, the Government boasted that they'd had 300 responses from the community as part of their review.

"Collectively, we've managed to gather five times as many, which just goes to show that people will engage with an issue if you're genuine about seeking out their views."

Yasmin Catley says the MPs were inspired to ask the community for feedback after Transport Minister Andrew Constance "boasted" about asking 300 Novocastrians to review the network. 

The MPs have gathered 1500 responses and are hoping the information is filtered back into Keolis Downer for changes set to take effect in July. 

Hamilton Bus Depot. Image: Flickr. 

Changes On The Cards For Newcastle Bus Timetables

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Buses operator, Keolis Downer is expected to announce changes to routes and timetables today following a public outcry.

Fairfax reports direct connections between eastern Lake Macquarie and Charlestown Square and Westfield Kotara will be introduced, while links to the major business hubs will also be created.

Direct services will also be introduced from Swansea Heads to Charlestown and the Newcastle CBD.

Keolis Downer says it will also improve bus services to The House With No Steps at Lambton - one of the region's largest disability service providers.

The timetable changes are expected to be introduced in July.

Labor Leader Luke Foley Addresses A Recent Protest Meeting About Newcastle Buses At Belmont

Newcastle Buses Petition Goes To State Parliament

BY IAN CROUCH

Around 100 people will travel to state parliament this afternoon to deliver a petition of 20,000 thousand signatures calling for a review of Newcastle buses.

Commuters have been complaining in large numbers since the bus network and timetables were overhauled in January, with many saying popular routes have been cut and services are turning up late or not at all.

Hamilton resident, Patricia Mulligan has collected 3000 signatures and says the changes have had a massive impact on the elderly.

"...and even going up to Beaumont Street, that 201 has been taken away and also we can;t get to Aldi because there's no 201 that goes over there, which was very convenient and people here enjoy having that bus and it was really good," she said.

Hamilton Resident, Patricia Mulligan (second from right) discusses concerns about Newcastle Buses with Hunter state Labor Mps

Transport Minister Urged to "Fix" Newcastle Buses As Commuters Return To Cars

BY IAN CROUCH

The state opposition is stepping up pressure on the Transport Minister to come clean about the true extent of patronage since the introduction of the new timetable came into force for Newcastle buses.

The government continues to claim commuter numbers have increased since the new timetable and bus routes started in January, however Labor says Opal data contradicts this.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp, Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery, Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison and Swansea MP, Yasmin Catley joined with residents outside the Hamilton bus depot on Friday morning to urge Transport Minister Andrew Constance to review the timetable and restore key routes across the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas.

A petition of 20,000 signatures is being presented to parliament next week, with a debate on the issue expected on Thursday.

Tim Crackanthorp says the situation is being made worse as more people get back in their cars for the city commute

"This week we had the Lee Wharf Parking Station closed down - that's over 250 parking spaces. People want to use public transport...but the bus network is an absolute disaster," he said.

Hunter Labor Mps Meet With Affected Residents Outside The Hamilton Bus Depot

Opal data suggests declining patronage, says Labor

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Claims made by the NSW Transport Minister about the number of people jumping aboard Newcastle buses is being disputed by Labor.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp claims on March 6, Andrew Constance told state parliament, "I took the January 2017 patronage numbers compared them to January 2018. In January 2017, the patronage numbers were 304, 330. In January of this year, there were 319, 360."

That would have represented a significant increase of 15, 330 patrons, however, Opal card data, published on the NSW government's website, shows only 300, 448 using Newcastle bus services in January 2018.

Tim Crakanthorp has labelled Andrew Constance's claims "disingenuous," and said the 4000 person decrease for January and decline of 8000 patrons in February makes sense, given public outcry over the revised system.

"This makes a lot of sense...we've got huge support from the community on this particular campaign to call for a full review and proper consultation on this service.

"We had 1000 people turn up at a community meeting in Belmont and about the same come to a rally [in Gregson Park] just last week."

However, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald has defended the Minister's comments, saying Mr Constance was referring to overall patronage sourced from both Opal and non-Opal data.

"The figures we rely on is overall patronage...the numbers, when combined, give us about a 9% increase.

"So we're getting that up-swing we've been expecting," he said.

"We can't just rely on the Opal data," Mr MacDonald continued, "because there are various concession users and people paying with cash.

"When we look at both the Opal and non-Opal figures, it is still quite encouraging."

Scot MacDonald emphasized the declining nature of the previous system as reason for the changed timetable.

MP Claims Newcastle Buses Being Used As Private Taxis

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Labor Mps are stepping up pressure on the state government to conduct a review of the Newcastle bus network amid claims buses are being used as private taxis.

Charlestown Mp, Jodie Harrison has told parliament a bus due at Broadmeadow Station on February 23 never arrived, leaving two commuters stranded.

She said a bus marked "not in service" was used to take the pair to their destination at Redhead.

Jodi Harrison says she receives calls from constituents daily about buses running late.

It comes after Keolis Downer this week reported a 5 per cent increase in patronage in January.

Charlestown Mp Jodie Harrison

Bus woes inspire huge community response at public meeting

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

"FIX OUR BUSES, FIX OUR BUSES." 

That was the sound resonating from the thousand-strong crowd at the Belmont 16 Footers yesterday, as community members gathered to protest the new Newcastle bus network. 

State Opposition Leader, Luke Foley joined Hunter MPs who addressed the crowd, calling for a state review of the privatised network. 

The meeting represents a culmination of weeks of commuter complaints to network operator Keolis Downer, and hundreds of letters sent to the Transport Minister from Hunter MPs on behalf of disappointed constituents. 

At the beginning of February, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery made representations on behalf of Callaghan College students' families after the 870 service failed to pick up students from the school, leaving parents forced to leave work early to get their children. 

Keolis Downer Operator Mark Dunlop said the incident was a one-off event and he'd apologised to Callaghan College officials, however, Ms Hornery said the 870 was just "one example of a broader issue with the Newcastle bus timetable." 

Later in February, Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp described the network as "chaos," telling Transport Minister Andrew Constance that around 100 disabled workers at Hamilton's Access Industries are struggling to get to work after direct routes were cut from the timetable. 

The fight headed to parliament last week, as a Notice of Motion initially moved in September last year was considered; however, debate swept off course as a number of MPs began discussing Sydney roads and railways.

Fix Our Buses: the crowd at Belmont 16 Footers raise placards calling out Andrew Constance. Image: Jodie Harrison MP. 

Last night's community meeting comes after Keolis Downer yesterday released new Opal card data, revealing promising results for "key routes." 

High customer patronage was recorded on services in popular areas such as Charlestown, where the service to Queens Wharf recorded a 35% increase in patronage, while the Glendale to Newcastle service experienced a huge jump of 70% since new routes were introduced last month. 

It's this high patronage which is being put forward as a sign of encouragement for Transport NSW, as the state government say it's too early to conduct a system-wide review.

That's the message coming from Keolis Downer too, as Mark Dunlop believes commuters need to allow time for the network to "settle" before casting aspersions on the system which has delivered 1200 extra services to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie residents.

No state government or Keolis Downer representatives were invited to the public meeting last night, and disgruntled community members chanted "FIX OUR BUSES" as Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald took to the stage.

He says it's disappointing both sides of the issue were not presented.

"I was disappointed not to be invited formally," Scot MacDonald said today, "I turned up after asking, and was eventually 'allowed' to go, so to speak," he said, "I also offered to bring a representative from Keolis Downer to the meeting- that offer was not taken up.

"I think that was a missed opportunity. We could've heard from the people who designed the routes and heard what they're trying to do, and of course they could have taken feedback.

"Nevertheless," Mr MacDonald continued, "I'm not going to criticise the room for being very forthright...people went to the trouble of attending the meeting so I respect that."

The Parliamentary Secretary said there was "a lot of emotion" at the meeting as personal stories were shared, and he's happy to have heard it.

"Look, we've got work to do," Mr MacDonald said, "There was a call for review and I think it's a little bit early for that- we're only 4 or 5 weeks into the new system, but I think it's a reasonable request to keep looking into this and perhaps have a revue further down the track."

"I've since had the opportunity to convey some of those feelings to our Transport Minister and Premier...this is just the start of it."