Bus Timetable Changes Spark Further Backlash

BY KAYNE STEPHENS AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

Newcastle Transport operator Keolis Downer's plans to favour the On-Demand bus service in Lake Macquarie over regular weekend services are being criticised as the area prepares for another timetable revision.

The On-Demand service, which allows commuters to book a bus to pick up or drop them off anywhere in the service area, is being expanded further South towards Belmont TAFE.

The service will double in size and extend to customers in Redhead, Jewells, Floraville, Croudace Bay, Valentine, Belmont North and Belmont.

The frequency of scheduled services will be cut during off-peak times when the On-Demand bus is operating, raising concerns from local MPs Yasmin Catley and Jodie Harrison, as well as the Rail Tram and Bus Union who say the timetable should be left alone.

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, says cutting regular timetables makes the network less reliable for commuters.

"It is delivering less services, longer journey times, and now they actually want to scrap those fixed services," said Ms Catley.

"It is absolutely disgusting the way that we have been treated here in Newcastle by the government. They need to come up here and they need to fix this problem now."

The plans have faced criticism over the level of consultation, as well as the reduction of the 41, 43, and 48 bus services which will be halved.

The services presently run one one hour intervals, but the MPs say it will be reduced to once every 2 hours under the revised timetable plan.

"The community that I represent tell me that they want the 350 route back. It was the route that took people to where they needed to be," said Yasmin Catley.

"We have a situation where a bus timetable and its routes have been implemented but do not meet the needs of the community. This has to stop."

Ms Catley also believes the community isn't quite sold on the new system and still relies on regular timetabled buses to get around.

"Those people who use the buses are concerned about this. On-Demand is not properly tried and tested," she said.

"And we know that it is costing tens of thousands, if not millions of dollars more than the services that we currently have in our fixed lines."

Keolis Downer Hunter Director of Corporate Affairs, Andrew Fletcher, said the company made the decision after listening to customers, speaking with drivers and analysing passenger data.

Newcastle Transport will release updated timetables and launch an information campaign on June 16th to keep passengers informed ahead of the changes, which come into effect on June 30th.

The On Demand service allows commuters to book a bus through the phone or an app, and they can be dropped off anywhere in the service area. Image: Transport NSW

Dawn Service attendees urged to consider public transport

BY JARROD MELMETH

If you are one of the 55-thousand people expected to attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Nobbys Beach on Wednesday, you may want to consider public transport.

Authorities are urging people to consider the free park-and-ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium to Queens Wharf departing every five to 10 minutes return from 3:30am to 12:30pm.

President of the Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch Ken Fayle said the service will commence at 5am.

"The Lord Mayor will be lighting the ANZAC flame for 2018 at 5am and then we will proceed to our traditional service which will run through to about 6am," Mr Fayle said.

Newcastle City Police District is working closely with Council and the local Anzac Day Committee to ensure a safe, smoothly run event following the recent loss of 500 car spaces along the Harbour and in the David Jones car park.

Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson is encouraging members of the public to think about their journey in advance for the dawn service and day-time commemorations.

"Historically up to 50,000 people have attended the early morning commemoration, which leads to significant traffic congestion.

"We anticipate that the loss of Hunter Street as a traffic corridor will further impact congestion and travel times and therefore recommend that people consider using the public transport and Park and Ride options that have been planned to ensure the minimum of delay to their travel," Chief Inspector Lawson said.

The traditional Anzac Day March from the mall to Civic Park will travel along King Street and not Hunter Street, where light rail is currently being built.

Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop said Newcastle Transport would provide a number of public transport options across Anzac Day including free travel for veterans and their families.

Additional dawn service bus routes from 3:15am to 4am and 6:10am to 6:35am will also be running on the following routes:

Route 13 will depart from Glendale at 3:30am, 3:40am, 3:45am and 3:50am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.

Route 11 will depart from Jesmond at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am, 6:35am.

Route 23 will depart from Wallsend at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am and 4am with departures from Queens Wharf 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am, 6:35am.

A special ANZAC event route 14S service will also be operating via Belmont, Jewells, Charlestown then Adamstown to Queens Wharf.

Route 14S will be departing from Swansea at 3:20am, 3:30am, 3:40am and 6:25am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she commends Keolis Downer for putting on extra services to ensure the event runs smoothly.

2017 Nobbys Dawn Service March. Photo: Newcastle Council.

Keolis Downer defends bus patronage increase

BY JARROD MELMETH

An increase of patronage on Newcastle buses by almost five percent is being labelled by private operator Keolis Downer as a "strong endorsement of the new network design."

New data released today shows a jump of almost 15,000 passengers for the month of January 2018 compared to the same period last year but, questions are being raised due to customers being required to catch more services to reach their destinations, therefore tapping their opal cards more than ever.

However, Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop says the Opal system in NSW is very sophisticated as it considers the passengers' journey and does not count people twice.

Mr Dunlop added that a network planning team is reviewing all of the information and data to understand what is working and where improvements need to be made.

"Our drivers are playing a huge role in letting us know what is working out there and what improvements can be made operationally, as well as passing on feedback from customers.

"We will also take this opportunity to improve connections and make minor adjustments to routes to better meet patronage or for route directness, as well as ensuring buses are running on time," Mr Dunlop said.

Keolis Downer has confirmed the largest increase in patronage is on high-frequency routes such as the 11 and the 29 to Cardiff Train Station.

Newcastle Bus Woes Go To Parliament

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackanthorp says the city's privatised bus network has failed the most vulnerable members of the community.

He used question time in parliament to raise the plight of more than 100 disabled people who work for Access Industries and have been severely impacted by changes to the bus timetables.

Tim Crackanthorp asked Transport Minister, Andrew Constance to now admit the privatised network has failed the people of the Hunter.

The Minister rejected suggestions services for disabled people had been cut and said he was happy to meet with the Newcastle MP to hear his concerns.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp

Mixed Reviews for Newcastle Bus Network

BY MATT JOHNSTON

The first weekday of Newcastle's new bus network has been met with mixed reactions from commuters.

Despite 1200 extra services on offer and increased frequency on certain routes, some passengers are wary of the changes.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, remains optimistic people can look past the teething pains to take advantages of the new services on offer.

He says it's the biggest shake-up to Hunter transport in a decade, and innovative features like buses on demand.

"It was really exciting to be on the first bus on Sunday. It's a service that you can now use in suburbs like Dudley, Mount Hutton, Whitebridge, Windale, Warners Bay, Eleebana, Gateshead and Charlestown. It's a great new service."

But the Uber-like Buses On Demand, and services to John Hunter Hospital every 15 minutes on certain routes, has some customers feeling left out.

Rail Tram and Bus Union division president David Woollams said the early feedback they've received has been mostly negative.

"A lot of the passengers are disappointed now that they don't have, in some areas, a direct service, that they do have to changes buses, that there's been more than about 200 bus stops removed right across the network."

"Some passengers are experiencing a 50-minute wait for connecting services."

But while this might lead to frustration, the union wants to remind people that it's not bus drivers who are to blame.

David Woollams hopes the network can be adapted to make public transport a more viable option, but he isn't optimistic that will be the case if buses and waiting for connections will take significantly longer than driving.

Photo: Downer Group

Newcastle Transport: Start planning your Journey

BY JARROD MELMETH

With just over two weeks until the overhaul of Newcastle's Transport network comes into effect, commuters can start planning their journeys as of today.

Newcastle Transport's private operator Keolis Downer announced the new network in November promising more services and better connections.

As of January 14, most bus routes will have been revised as well as bus numbers changing to a new two digit number.

Commuters can plan their trip by visiting newcastletransport.info or by dropping into the Newcastle Transport Hub to pick up a printed timetable.

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region network coming into effect
January 14. 

More Buses for Wallsend under Revamped Timetable

BY JESSICA ROUSE

From January next year, there will be double the number of bus services operating out of Wallsend.

Keolis Downer has announced a more frequent route will operate between Wallsend and the city with better connections to Broadmeadow Station and Merewether Beach.

"We've certainly sought to maintain the geographic coverage and we have a number of frequent services with an extension attached to them so, for example, the frequent service that goes to Wallsend every 15 minutes throughout the day, every second service will go on to Maryland," said Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason.

In addition, the frequent service that goes to Charlestown every 15 minutes, every second one will go down to Belmont.

The core route will operate until midnight on weeknights and night owl services will run every hour on Friday and Saturday nights until 3am.

The new timetables come into effect on January 14, 2018.

Bus route map: http://newcastletransport.info/uploads/files/NT-NetworkMap-20171130a.pdf

Newcastle Transport Operator Starting 2018 With a Fresh Timetable

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle's private transport operator will certainly be starting the new year fresh when it comes to its transport network.

Keolis Downer announced their new Newcastle Transport network today which will be introduced from January 14, 2018 running across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

More than 1200 bus and ferry services, or 25 per cent more services, will be added to the timetable and the whole network is aimed to improve connections between suburbs and town centres. Services will run every 15 minutes during the day.

Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason said they've used a lot of community consultation from both people who use public transport and those who don't, to create the new timetable.

Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason.

"We really need to get them out of cars and onto buses and ferries so we've had a very extensive program of community engagement and programs to get input via our website, social pinpoint interactive site, direct representations and of course hearing from our staff."

The transport operator says they'll be carrying out a lot of communication to the public about the changes between now and January 14 including through advertising, the newcastletransport.info website which has an interactive map allowing you to drop a pin into the area you want to go and get details on the services which will be going through that particular point. 

Keolis Downer also plans to have an online travel concierge, customer service operators throughout the city and pop up sessions. 

Campbell says they've designed a network to better connect with train services as well.

"Obviously we have connections running into Cardiff, Broadmeadow Station and the Newcastle Interchange itself. One of the key things as I mentioned we've been hearing from the Lake Macquarie area, Swansea and Belmont in particular, is the need for better connection through to Cardiff."

The revamp of the system will also see the route numbers change from being three digits to just double digits.

"One of the things that we've been keen to do is to make sure we have a new network and have new and revised routes we need new numbers. Our experience has shown that people will be confused if you try and keep the old route numbers and change the route," said Campbell.

Trial Of On-Demand Buses Starts Soon In Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Residents in parts of Lake Macquarie will be able to take part in the trail of a new On Demand Bus service in the new year.

Commuters in Warners Bay, Mount Hutton and Dudley will be able to book a bus to pick them up and take them to where they want to go in the designated "on demand' area.

It's a step up from having to wait for regular bus services on designated routes.

Newcastle Transport operator, Keolis Downer says the trial runs for 12 months from January.

Sneak peek of Revamped Newcastle Transport Network

BY JARROD MELMETH

An improved Newcastle Transport network being introduced in January promises to provide customers with better links to the John Hunter and Mater hospitals as well as extended hours for core routes.

Currently, the majority of week-night bus services operate until 10:30pm but under the new network, core route buses will operate until midnight on weeknights and will run every hour on Friday and Saturday nights until 3am.

Newcastle's private transport operator, Keolis Downer has also promised to link the John Hunter Hospital and Newcastle CBD with services every 15 minutes from 7am to 7pm and every 30 minutes on Weekends, which Keolis Downer Hunter CEO Campbell Mason says will have a new number which, will be announced along with the Transport Network on Thursday.

Mr Mason said the changes come off the back of intense community consultation and analysis of opal data.

"We have been analysing - to start with - opal data but, of course, the opal data can only tell us about who is using the system and when they are using the system. We are looking to get feedback and have got feedback from others who are not currently using the public transport network. We have been running the voice of Newcastle program and getting a lot of comments from the social pinpoint website and also we have been running citizens panels to get feedback," Mr Mason said.

The Mater Hospital will also receive an upgrade in services with timetabled connections between Broadmeadow and Waratah stations and the hospital.

Picture: Jarrod Melmeth

Newcastle Transport Operator Confident It Can Handle Public Transport Demand For Supercars

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle's public transport operator, Keolis Downer says it's confident it can handle the influx of commuters for the Supercars weekend.

It comes after the announcement of a further 300 bus services being scheduled for the event.

Keolis Downer is also altering the bus routes from Monday week to cater for the closure of Watt Street.

CEO, Campbell Mason says the revised services will continue to run before and after the race.

"Those services will continue to operate through until the event service timetable starts on the 24th to the 26th and then it will resume again after the event and continue through to the 30th until the track awnings etc and grandstands are taken away," he said.

Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason

Newcastle 500 Transport Strategy Should make Travel a Breeze

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The transport plan for how thousands of people will be getting around during the Supercars Newcastle 500 event has finally been released.

There will be an integrated ticketing option with 300 additional buses and 90 more train services scheduled for the three-day event.

Park and ride services will be located not only from McDonald Jones Stadium to the Honeysuckle precinct, but also added across Newcastle Harbour at Stockton for the ferry service.

There will be two ferries running which can carry 200 passengers and crew each. The ferries will be running every 5 to 10 minutes.

Newcastle 500 Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski says the plan will easily enable 150,000 commuters to get in and out.

"We want to make sure all of those people can get in and out of the event in an easy manner and that's why we've introduced this integrated ticketing option so people will be able to come in whether it's via bus, ferry, train, in coming from Sydney and the outer regions,"

Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski.

"They'll be coming into Newcastle here, they'll be delivered to the gate and after the even, they'll take the same routes home as well," said Kurt Sakzewski.

The ticket you've purchased to get into the event itself will give you free public transport whatever it may be.

"The great thing about the integrated ticket is it doesn't matter what version of public transport that you want to take, you can get on a bus, get on a ferry, get on a train, you just show your event ticket and it just gives you access all of the way through for no extra cost," said Kurt Sakzewski.

Revitalising Newcastle Program Director Michael Cassel says they've tried to prepare for anything.

"We will have a command centre running throughout the three days to the event. That command centre will include everyone from police, event organisers, Keolis Downer, and people from NSW Transport so we'll be able to monitor what's going on and we'll be able to make changes as we move throughout the day and the night."

Event organisers have planned for people coming into the city from every possible way and they say this year will be a very good test to see how well they've planned.

"We can assess how it actually works after year one but we also keep an eye on where our ticket sales are from as well so gives us a little heads up but really it will be after the event itself that we will know the exact details and obviously in year two we will apply that to the plan," said Kurt Sakzewski.

Kurt admits it will be interesting to see how well people will be moved in and out of city on the Friday and Saturday nights but they've been working with police and every other transport agency to ensure everyone gets out in a timely manner.

The biggest piece of advice the organisers have is to catch public transport. Don't drive.

"We really want to encourage people to take public transport. All major events government use public transport to ferry people in and out and that would be the most efficient and least disruptive way to get in and out of the event," said Michael Cassel.

"This Government Needs to Get their Act Together": Newcastle MP on Transport Strategy

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is demanding the government get their act together with a transport strategy for the Newcastle 500.

The Supercars race is only four weeks away and the government is yet to release a plan for how 150,000 visitors, as well as residents, will be travelling around the city.

Tim Crakanthorp said Newcastle is already dealing with a terrible transport system, so the sooner a plan is put together the better.

"Keolis Downer has a terrible record of running the buses in the city since they've taken over we're got nothing but problems. The drivers haven't been being paid properly, we've got superannuation issues, we've got school children being left on the side of the road. it's an absolute disgrace."

Keolis Downer will be faced with a myriad of challenges.

Hunter Street is closed for light rail construction forcing traffic along King Street, Wharf Road will be closed from Argyle Street during the race and racegoers who use the train service will be jumping off at the new Wickham interchange and travelling the remaining distance on a bus, by foot or on a bike.

Tim Crakanthorp said if people come and they can't get around, they may not ever come back to visit again.

"If they come here and its gridlock, I don't think they'll be coming back so we really need this government to get their act together, get this plan, work with Keolis Downer who have a terrible record at this point, and make sure the people of Newcastle can be confident that their beautiful city will be on display and people can actually see the race,"

"Now this minister needs to get very organised for this race because at the moment it's looking pretty damn difficult and I would say that this government needs to come out very quickly with a very good plan with Keolis Downer," said Tim Crakanthorp.

Rethinking Parking Strategies

BY MATT JOHNSTON

Following complaints from disgruntled locals, Lake Macquarie council are looking at updating their parking strategies to cope with increasing congestion. Increasingly, commuters and shoppers are finding it harder and harder to find adequate parking in the town centres.

Mayor Kay Fraser says due to the popularity of town centres like Charlestown, Warners Bay, Toronto or Glendale "you'll find it can be difficult to get a park at times. We've had complaints from residents that many streets in Charlestown are being parked out".

"We need to have a strategy in place for how we're going to deal with parking. In Lake Macquarie, we do love our cars... so it's sort of changing the mentality but it's also providing options."

More than 1400 comments have been received so far, which has given council plenty of alternatives to explore. While paid parking is the last thing anyone wants, it's nevertheless an option that's being considered.

Other measures up for consideration include timed parking, more rangers, 'smart technology' to make things easier for drivers and rangers, as well as lobbying the state government for improved public transport systems.

"We don't have great transport out here, and that's one of the factors," says Cr Fraser. "I'll be lobbying state government to see what we can do about that. We need to have proper public transport so people do have that option."

While there's a need for "efficient and effective" public transport, one of the simpler options is also one of the easiest. "We want to make our town centres walkable and liveable, so people can enjoy their walk to the shops or to their favourite café or restaurant."

The draft strategy is currently available online, at Lake Macquarie libraries, and at council's customer service centre.

Mayor Kay Fraser

Keolis Downer Confident it Will Bring Newcastle World-Class Transport

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle's private transport operator Keolis Downer has responded to claims they are still underpaying drivers and cancelling services.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says there are still problems occurring two months after dozens of bus drivers were underpaid hundreds of dollars.

Keolis Downer admits there were problems with the payroll system, but the incidence of workers being underpaid are much less than they were three months ago when they first took over Newcastle's transport system.

"The pay roll that was run Wednesday last week for a total workforce of around 350 people we had only nine errors within that payroll run, some of those were overpayments, some of those were underpayments. Where we had underpayments the corrective payment has been made within days of the error being identified,"

"So this issue has certainly reduced down to a point where we have only a handful of errors on the most recent payroll run," said Keolis Downer Chief Executive Campbell Mason.

Several of the Hunter's Labor MPs met with the RTBU and workers yesterday, calling for action from Transport Minister Andrew Constance on the operator. The call for action comes after he promised Newcastle and the Hunter a world-class transport system, but MPs are all in agreeance that Keolis Downer is failing to provide it.

Another problem is services being cancelled, often without notice.

"The worst month that we had for cancelled services was August when the flu spike was at its worst and certainly the cancellations have stabilised since then. So its nothing like the problem that it was in August, and we have also recruited additional drivers into our workforce so that we are more resilient and more able to deal with those sorts of shocks should they happen again," said Campbell Mason.

Despite all of the criticism, Campbell Mason is confident Keolis Downer will be a world-class transport operator in Newcastle and bring the people what they want.

"I've used teething problems to describe the system issues that we've been addressing, there are some broader based issues within the business where we need to driver longer-term improvement and change so I don't see us putting a time frame on turning the business around as such. Some of the things can be readily fixed, other things will take time to fix."

Keolis Downer has Stuffed Up: RTBU on Newcastle's Private Transport Operator

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Keolis Downer was first accused of underpaying its workers in August, and it seems the problem hasn't gone away, instead it has gotten worse.

Workers have been reportedly getting underpaid, not getting their uniforms, there's numerous rostering issues, bus services have been cancelled without warning and children are being left on the side of the road when their buses don't turn up.

Local Labor MPs met with Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay, workers and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) this morning to discuss the problems plaguing the operator.

RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston said the first pay period problem was fixed and the company did apologise, but when the next pay period came it was the same problem again.

He says Transport Minister Andrew Constance came, signed it over, walked away, and doesn't care enough to do something to fix it.

RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston addressing media this morning.

"What I think has happened here is the Transport Minister has signed them on the dotted line, walked away and hasn't bothered to follow up to ensure that this would be smooth. It's been far from smooth,"

"You ask these workers over here if they like not being paid for what they've done if you ask the community who've been left on the side of the road if they're happy about that. I'm sure the answer Mr Constance will be no. We're not happy about what's happened up here," said Chris.

The union says the problem goes beyond just underpaying workers, drivers are fatigued because of their rosters. Bus drivers can't work more than 12 days straight and their shifts are heavily regulated, but Chris Preston said it doesn't appear to be being adhered to in Newcastle.

"We raise this time and time again with Andrew Constance. He doesn't care, quite frankly this has become about money and about a privatised system that is about efficiency, that is about the government pushing it onto someone else and saying you can make money out of this," said Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay.

The MP's have been fielding complaints from the public, and workers alike, because they aren't getting the answers they want or any answer from Keolis Downer.

"Now sure the company apologises, and they say they're going to get it right. Well, they've had three months and they haven't got it right and we are deeply concerned," said Jodi McKay.

"This is the Minister's baby. He came out and said this would be a world class system, it is not. Ultimatelytransport in this state rests with him whether its public or private it rests with him. He has to take accountability for this and he is not."

In addition, Swansea MP Yasmin Catley hasn't seen any of the consultation she says residents were promised from Keolis Downer. 

"They promised us consultation. We all met with them and they said we'll consult, trust us. Well, we've waited three months and we don't' trust them. They have not been transparent and they have not been honest with the people in this community," said Yasmin Catley.

"I believe the Transport Minister and the company have stuffed this up, it's the only way to say it," said RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston.

Both Keolis Downer and Transport Minister Andrew Constance have been approached for comment.

Newcastle Transport Consultation in Wallsend

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Residents are being urged to go along to an information session with Newcastle's transport operator this morning.

The consultation started at 9:30 at the Wallsend Plaza and goes until 12:30pm.

It comes after a string of problems with Keolis Downer underpaying works and cancelling a range of services, reportedly without any notice.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is very happy the operator decided to hold consultation sessions out in her electorate and is urging everyone to go along.

"Accessible and reliable public transport is a priority for many in Wallsend. Thousands of residents in the western suburbs rely on public transport to get to work and school every day,"

"It is important that Wallsend residents make sure that their voices are heard on this issue."

Just another Problem for Keolis Downer in Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There appears to be even more problems with Newcastle's private transport operator Keolis Downer.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has been told by parents at St Pius X High School that buses have failed to pick their children up leaving them with no choice but to take them to school themselves.

On one occasion, a parent says the 816 bus that takes her son from The Junction to St Pius X High School failed to turn up twice.

Tim Crakanthorp says it's just not on.

"There's a lot wrong with this private operator at this point, but I've got real concerns with school kids being left alone on the side of the road with buses not turning up. That's a real problem."

Keolis Downer is already facing a lot of criticism across the board for their treatment of their drivers by underpaying them, not directly paying payments to superannuation and private healthcare, and also not handing over complete uniforms.

"It's up to this government to pull them into line, they've got a contract with them and there are rewards for increasing patronage, but I want to know if there are any penalties for missing kids, leaving kids on the side of the road and putting their health and safety at risk. That's what I want to know," said Tim Crakanthorp.

He says he'll be raising the issue in Parliament this week.

"I'm calling on Minister Constance to take control of this situation as we've had kids missed for buses for school on numerous occasions. So with over 300 bus services missed this minister really needs to step in ad pull this company into line. It's just not good enough."

Blame game for Newcastle's bus drivers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle's transport operator are facing blame from all sides for workers being underpaid and mismanaged.

Transport Minister, Andrew Constance has put operator Keolis Downer on notice after bus drivers were again underpaid this week. They've reportedly failed to pay more than a dozen drivers their correct pay and entitlements.

It comes after more than 70 workers were underpaid last month.

But the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RBTU) are today putting the blame on Andrew Constance saying it's another example of his incompetence. The union is labeling the situation as disgusting and claim from day one workers haven't been paid correctly.

"The Transport Minister is the one who came out and announced privatisation and what a wonderful beast it was going to be and how things would improve and he's obviously given the tender to a company who can't put in place a payroll system that can correctly pay their employees," said President of the Tram and Bus union division of the RTBU David Woollams.

The RBTU have taken the issue to the Fair Work Commission to have a system put in place whereby the workers, once they realise they've been underpaid, can go to Keolis Downer and get the pay rectified.

"Workers shouldn't have to be doing that in the first instance, You can accept you know a couple of dollars here and so forth - but not when we're talking about $500 dollars. Most of us just live from pay to pay," said David Woollmans.

Keolis Downer's CEo Campbell Mason is hitting back at the union, saying they're working to fix the problem before the end of business today.

"It is our highest priority to correct those underpayments, there will be an off-cycle payroll made today to correct those payments but we are very apologetic to our staff and we appreciate how frustrating it is. And it is our highest priority to get the system fixed so we don't have a recurrence of these types of problems," said Campbell Mason.

He isn't passing any blame onto the Transport Minister.

"The Minister has made clear it is for us, Keolis Downer, to fix this problem and he's right it is our payroll and its up to us to get it fixed and its our highest priority to get it fixed."

Newcastle Bus Drivers Underpaid Again!

BY IAN CROUCH

Transport Minister, Andrew Constance has put Newcastle's private transport operator on notice after bus drivers were again underpaid this week.

The Herald reports Keolis Downer failed to pay more than a dozen drivers their correct pay and entitlements .

It comes after more than 70 workers were underpaid last month.

Andrew Constance has demanded the company rectify the problem, saying "Keolis Downer needs to fix this, and fix it quick".

Keolis Downer chief executive, Campbell Mason said there have been problems with the migration of data between rostering and payroll systems and an eight-person taskforce has been working to address the issues which have caused these problems.

It's the latest in a series of problems for the private transport operator, with several bus services cancelled in recent weeks due to drivers being off on sick leave.