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

Wallsend MP Joins Calls For Buses to be Put Back in Public Hands

 BY PETER HYSLOP

There’s a renewed push to improve what some residents have long described an unreliable bus network to be put back in State Government hands.

The former Baird Government privatised the system, offering a 10-year contract to French firm Keolis Downer.

The State’s Rail, Tram and Bus Union is now calling for the contract return to the State Government instead of renewal in 2027.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says the service offering needs to improve.

“I think the buses need to be better and more attractive and more available before people use them,” she said.

“There were major changes to bus routs under Keolis Downer and they haven’t worked.

“Let’s look at peak hour services and how to make them more efficient,” she said.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons