The NSW Liberal Government’s private model of delivering bus services across parts of Sydney and the Hunter has led to a decline in the quality of transport services available to passengers, a report from the NSW Legislative Council’s Transport Committee has found.
 
The report found that the NSW Liberal government’s model of delivery meant that private operators had an incentive to cut costs and services at the expense of some passengers who relied on bus services the most.
 
The government’s private model of delivering bus services has also contributed to more limited delivery of bus services, higher costs for passengers, reduced pay and conditions for the workforce, no real increase in market competition, and changes to services, stops, frequency and routes which occurred without proper community consultation.
 
A NSW Labor Government will establish an industry taskforce to assess the report’s findings and recommendations and work to improve bus services for passengers right across NSW.
 
Quotes attributable to NSW Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen MP:
 
“This report clearly shows that the government’s preferred private model of delivering bus services is letting down too many passengers who rely on the bus network.
 
“I’ve heard reports that in some communities, bus services are worse now than they were 50 years ago. I’m concerned that instead of seeing improvements to bus services, we’re seeing service quality going backwards.
 
“It’s clear there’s room for improvement in a number of areas. Labor in government will of course honour existing contracts but this report clearly shows that the NSW Government is the economic employer and that it has options when it comes to improving routes, services and employment standards, and they need to work with the whole industry to do better.
 
“This report needs to be taken seriously. A Labor Government will take it seriously and establish a taskforce involving the industry and community stakeholders which will assess the findings and recommendations so we can improve bus services for everyone across NSW.”

JO HAYLEN MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT