Footage Released of Newcastle Light Rail Near Misses

BY OLI GOELDNER 

Newcastle Transport is urging residents to pay attention when around trams, following another year of near misses. 

CCTV footage released today shows a number of alarming close calls from pedestrians and vehicles near the Newcastle light rail over the past 12 months. 

Local tram driver Victoria Tonks said it can be very stressful, especially at peak times when the platform is crowded or when people are rushing to cross the road in front of a moving tram.

“Just a moment of distraction could have serious consequences," said Ms Tonks. 

"It’s terrifying when someone runs in front of you or jumps down onto the tracks." 

Keolis Hunter General Manager Arsene Durand-Raucher said the footage is a stark reminder of the risks people take around trams. 

The calls come alongside Rail Safety Week, being held until Sunday 17 August. 

“Every near miss leaves a lasting impact – not just for the person involved, but also for our tram drivers, staff and customers,” Mr Durand-Raucher said.

“We’ve been operating the light rail for more than seven years, and yet we continue to see some incredibly dangerous behaviour by both motorists and pedestrians.

“We continually see people jumping onto the tracks or running in front of moving trams, putting themselves and others at serious risk. 

"Emergency braking can result in falls for onboard passengers which can have life altering consequences.

Mr Durand-Raucher advised commuters should wait behind the white line on the platform, always cross at designated crossings and avoid rushing for closing doors. 

Footage of the incidents can be found on the 2NURFM Facebook page. 

A near miss from an attempted stunt at the Civic light rail stop. Picture: Newcastle Transport

Labor Commits to Restore John Hunter Shuttle Bus Service

BY DANEIE GEDDES

The John Hunter Hospital shuttle bus service is set to be restored if Labor is elected on March 25, eight years after it was shut down by the Liberal government. 

The service will allow visitors to park at McDonald Jones Stadium and embark on the shuttle to the hospital's front door.  

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, said the service will play a crucial role in addressing transport and parking concerns for both patients and healthcare workers. 

"Workers liked the shuttle from the stadium because they could park there for free and have the ease of just being able to park and hop on a bus," she said. 

"People with disabilities and the elderly liked it too, because not only could they park easily at the stadium, but they had a beautiful door to door service."

The service will also be crucial for managing transport and parking issues, given future expansion plans for the hospital. 

"There is a lot to do and that won't be accomplished overnight, but with real commitment we can start chipping away at some of our real major problems that have occurred in the hospital system in the last 12 years," Ms Hornery said. 

Labor has proposed the restoral of the service as a fresh start for rebuilding and repairing the NSW healthcare system and says it's the first step in a long-term plan to address ongoing concerns from Hunter residents and healthcare workers.

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. 

Newcastle bus drivers to escalate action with 24-hour strike, ban on consoles

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle bus drivers are set to escalate their industrial action from next Monday, as talks with operator Keolis Downer over pay and conditions continue.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says the operator is failing to meet their demands for a seven percent wage increase over two years.

Drivers were set to go ahead with action this week, turning off the Opal card readers, but retracted the decision.

They'll instead move forward with a 24-hour strike from 2:01am next Monday morning, meaning no buses will run across the Newcastle Transport network.

At the end of the strike, they'll begin an indefinite ban on logging into and using the Bus Driver Console, which means Opal card readers aren't likely to operate.

The union is apologising to commuters, but claims the blame is on Keolis Downer for failing to meet them at the table.

Image credit: transportnsw.info

Newcastle bus drivers shut off the engines for four-hour strike

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle bus drivers are walking off the job on Friday, turning off the engines for four hours in a dispute over pay and conditions.

It comes after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) voted to reject the latest offer of a wage increase from Keolis Downer, Newcastle Transport's private operator.

Members are calling on both the company and the State Government to step up and come to the table with a better offer.

Tram and Bus Division President Daniel Jaggers says drivers haven't been left any other choice.

"Keolis Downer told drivers they could work seven days a week to supplement their income, because they claim they can only pay what the State Government gives them," Mr Jaggers said.

"If that is the case, the RTBU is calling on Minister David Elliott to have these contracts readjusted to ensure our members receive a living wage."

Buses won't be operating from 10am to 2pm on Friday, and members will also gather at the Hamilton Bus Depot at 10:45am, before marching to Wickham Park.

It's hoped the stop-work will minimise disruptions at peak travel times for students and workers.

School bus services aren't expected to be affected.

Keolis Downer has been approached for comment, but Newcastle Transport has apologised for the disruption on social media.

Image credit: https://newcastletransport.info