Rail, Tram and Bus Union wants Newcastle Buses back in Public Hands

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.

Picture Supplied.

Singleton Celebrates Permanent Train Services

BY JACK LEWIS

Residents in Singleton now have more options for their daily commute thanks to the permanent addition of passenger train services. 

They'll now have access to two daily return train services to Newcastle, seven days a week, bringing better timetable flexibility and improved access to other parts of the Hunter and Sydney. 

It comes after more than a decade of campaigning by council and the "Two More Trains for Singleton" group, as well as a three-and-a-half year trial of the services.

Both the advocacy group and council are pleased with the move, but say they will continue to advocate for even greater public transport connectivity in the area. 

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

NSW Transport Unveils Newcastle's First Zero Emissions Bus

 BY BELLA MIDDLETON

                                                                                    Picture credit: Australian Manufacturing 

Transport for NSW has launched Newcastle's first zero emission bus at Hamilton Bus Depot. 

The bus is a part of the state government's plan to transition away from diesel-powered vehicles and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 

NSW Transport North Region Director Anna Zycki, alongside Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Emmanuel Genlot, unveiled the area's first ZEB before it officially entered passenger service from Customs House on Bond Street. 

"There's a lot of public transport buses in the Hunter area, and the New South Wales government is committed to permanently transitioning away from diesel buses to zero emission technology. This extends that outside of the Sydney region, and into the Hunter," Director Zycki said.

She also said the shift is set to benefit passengers across the region. 

"It's an exciting thing for the Hunter to have. For customers, it's a quieter ride, a smoother ride, and the community will have less noise and better air quality over time." 

Calls for Improvements on Light Rail's Fourth Birthday

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Saturday marks four years since Newcastle's light rail service got up-and-running, however, rather than celebrating, there's been calls to improve the service's operations. 

Opal data shows public transport patronage in the city has dropped to barley half of what is was before the pandemic, going from 103,000 passengers in 2019, to 61,500 in 2022. 

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, attributed the lack of passengers to a poor business plan, and said the transport route isn't affective in its current state. 

The service has struggled to increase patronage numbers to pre-COVID levels, prompting calls to make trips free across the city. 

In their recently-announced Transport Plan for Newcastle, The NSW Greens committed to the idea, saying they will eliminate fees if they form government next month. 

There's also been calls to extend the service across Newcastle to McDonald Jones Stadium, as the venue continues to book more international sports and music events. 

Tim Crakanthorp said, while State Labor has not considered making the it free, they would work to preserve and extend the network. 

"If we get elected, we'll give Transport for NSW a real hurry-on to get these transport corridors preserved. That allows us to free-up access points to Hunter Park." 

Novocastrians Invited to Take a Ride on New Driverless Shuttle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Novocastrians can now catch a ride along Wharf Road on the City's new driverless shuttle as it starts a trial in live traffic conditions over the next three months.

The automated shuttle will offer free trips for up to three people at a time between the Watt Street roundabout and Nobbys Beach every weekday.

The shuttle is fully electric and can detect obstacles, measure its own movement, and determine its route through the use of sensors, cameras, and an onboard computer.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says the trial, part of the five million dollar Newcastle Smart City Strategy, will further the City's efforts in developing sustainable transport options.

"Although the shuttle has a capacity of eleven seats plus the shuttle chaperone, operator Keolis Downer will implement safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 - doors will open automatically, hand sanitizer will be available onboard, and customers will be required to register before riding the shuttle," Cr Clausen said.

Image credit: https://newcastlesdriverlessshuttle.com.au/

State Government Commits to Boosting Maitland Public Transport

By Samantha Cooke

Residents of Maitland can look forward to more efficient public transport with the NSW Government agreeing to review current transport activity, with plans to make available more and better bus routes for the local community.

As part of their election promise, the Government will introduce 14,000 additional weekly services across NSW, announcing the fast-growing area of Chisholm as part of their plans.

After writing to the Minister of Regional Transport and Roads on behalf of Chisholm mother-of-three Sandy Freeman - one of many parents in the area whose family desperately needs improved services, Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison is happy with the Government's response, saying it is a great step forward.

“I’ve been advised by the office of the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads that the NSW Government has made a four-year commitment to introduce 14,000 additional weekly services across NSW, and enhancements to route 189 are part of that commitment,” Ms Aitchison said.

“That election promise is almost a year-and-a-half old now and it’s time for the Minister to deliver.”

Contacting Ms Aitchison in May, Ms Freeman, who is a mother of twins who have special needs, raised concerns that a bus trip required her children to face a long, difficult, distressing and dangerous walk halfway across Harvest Estate after school.

“My children have started at Metford Public School,” Ms Freeman said. “We are not entitled to any drive-to-school funding because their disabilities are not severe enough, and we aren’t funded by the transport subsidy because, as the crow flies, we are too close to the school.

“And that measurement does not take into account that there is a railway line between school and home with no pedestrian access.”

With more time passing from the election, Ms Aitchison pushed forward the case saying the Government had sufficient time to make preparations and the community now demands for action.

“The Government went to the last election promising extra services across the state if they were elected, and Route 189 was one of those listed for additional funding,” Ms Aitchison said.

“Maitland’s incredible growth rate demands that the NSW Government continually monitor and assess available bus services to ensure they are meeting the community’s needs”, she said.

There is no set time period given from the Government as of yet but Ms Aitchison said it is a great step forward to have them agree to get started.

                                          Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison with Sandy Freeman, and her Children Dylan and Taylah