Public Transport is a hot issue in Lane Cove. As Lane Cove commuters know all too well, Sydney buses (operated by different private operators) have been unreliable, with cancellations and timetable changes. Lane Cove buses are part of Region 7 and are operated by Busways (background information here). A Transport for NSW spokesperson told ITC “Around two per cent of services in Region 7 have been cancelled over the past 5 months.”
In May 2023, the NSW Government announced the creation of a Taskforce to make recommendations to improve the reliability, quality and effectiveness of bus services across NSW.
The Taskforce has 12 months to review the “franchised/privatised” system. Their first interim report is due on 10 July 2023.
The Taskforce can bring forward interim or urgent findings and recommendations throughout its tenure, and they released some interim findings on 3 June 2023.
An update has been posted on the Taskforce’s website. The update notes:
“After only three weeks of investigation, including two formal Taskforce meetings, meetings with some Sydney bus operators, and briefings from key areas in Transport for NSW (TfNSW), it is already apparent that there are acute and significant issues around:
- bus service cancellations in some parts of Sydney and the Hunter region
- The reliability of supply of bus services to cover planned and emergency rail, light rail and ferry service replacement
- additional services to cover major events.
TfNSW and operators have attempted to minimise the impact on bus passengers through a more intensive focus on attempting to align service delivery with staffing availability in their contract management activities. However, it is evident from contact from bus passengers to the Taskforce that they remain frustrated with the reliability of services. These issues require immediate action.”
Key Finding
The Key finding reported by the Taskforce is “that most cancellations and other service failures are a direct result of driver shortages. Some depots are significantly understaffed.”
This is not groundbreaking news. Both Busways and TfNSW have told ITC over the last 12 months that their biggest issue is bus driver recruitment.
The table below shows Region 7 has 90 Driver vacancies (Bus Region GSBC007).
Six Immediate Actions
The Taskforce has identified six immediate action steps:
Bus Industry Roundtable
Convene an urgent bus industry roundtable in June 2023 to examine and bring forward practical suggestions and solutions for the current bus industry workforce shortages (drivers and maintenance staff), as well as other operational suggestions to improve bus service delivery in Greater Sydney and across NSW.
Driver Authority Improvements.
Make it quicker, easier and cheaper for people to get their bus driver authority by:
- eliminating a duplicated requirement for a bus driver authority applicant to prove to TfNSW that they have the right to work in Australia. Employers must already ensure that their employees are complying with visa conditions under immigration law.
- Enabling TfNSW to issue notices relating to bus driver authorities electronically
- Clarifying and reinforcing that medical assessments must be done before submitting a bus driver authority application, to minimise any rejection of applications.
- Permitting drivers over the age of 25 to apply for a bus driver authority if they hold a current Australian driver’s licence and have held an open, restricted, provisional or probationary Australian or nationally recognised overseas driver’s licence for at least 3 years. Requirements for drivers under 25 would not change.
- Waiving the $70 application fee for 12 months and reviewing the application process to streamline how applicants provide relevant information.
Public Awareness and Promotional Campaign
Implement a 6 to 8-week targeted media campaign to complement current efforts by bus operators to recruit more drivers. This should include radio, digital display, social media and Google search, as well as using TfNSW assets (buses, rail stations etc) to attract job applicants. Key demographics and geographies should be targeted. Estimated cost $240K.
The Chair of the Taskforce to meet with the Acting Secretary of TfNSW to encourage the development of innovative approaches to attract and recruit workers to the transport industry at large, given the known skills shortages across transport.
Service adjustments
Transport for NSW should continue ongoing contractual and operational discussions with operators who require urgent timetable reconfiguration to keep services running.
The Parliamentary Secretary should convene the first Bus Passenger Forum in June 2023 (with the support of the Taskforce and TfNSW) to ensure that the impact of service cancellations to local communities is captured as part of the early recommendations to the Government.
Bus Passengers Forums
Lane Cove commuters are keen to have their say about the current state of public transport in our local government area. They have asked ITC to let them know when Bus Passenger forums were to be convened.
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Dr Marjorie O’Neill, will chair Bus Passenger Forums over the coming months, with the first forums taking place in June in the Northern Beaches and Newcastle.
Members of the public and representatives from community groups, local businesses and non-government organisations will be invited to have their say.
The Bus Industry Taskforce website is not taking pre-registrations for forums in other areas. A Transport for NSW spokesperson told ITC:
“The schedule for these forums is currently being pulled together, and the community will be updated as venues are locked in. Passengers and community members can send their feedback anytime to [email protected] and let us know what you think about bus services in your area.”
Reactions to the Six Action Item Plan
ITC asked Busways to comment on the Bus Industry Taskforce six action items and to also advise steps taken to recruit and retain drivers. A spokesperson for Busways said:
“We still have a shortfall of drivers. Like all other industries across our community, we are dealing with higher seasonal absences, and this is expected to continue through winter. We’re very mindful of the impact this has on our customers and continuously monitor and manage service coverage to be evenly distributed.
The good news is we have a healthy recruitment pipeline, with a good turnout at Ryde open day last Saturday and a solid schedule for induction training over the coming months. We have successfully recruited over 70 drivers in the last six months and our attrition rates have remained within the normal range, reflecting a standard level of turnover.
We also welcome the Government’s recent announcement about changes to make it easier for people to become bus drivers and are committed to working with the NSW Government to fix the bus driver shortage.
We thank customers for their patience and understanding as we work as an industry on this issue.”
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
“The Bus Industry Taskforce has hit the ground running and has already identified the key steps we need to take to address the bus driver shortage.”
“The shortage of bus drivers has had a massive impact on bus services right across the state. If we can begin to fix the driver shortage, we’ll be well on the way to fixing our bus services.”
“There are quick and easy immediate actions that we can take right now to recruit more bus drivers.”
“The current system needs to be simplified, so we can make it cheaper and easier for aspiring bus drivers to get a job and get on the road.”
“Another practical step is talking to the industry on other solutions that could help deliver better bus services in Greater Sydney and across NSW.”
ITC asked Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts for a comment on the Taskforce action items, and he said:
“Whilst this strategy was announced under the previous Government, we welcome the Minister adopting this approach and we look forward to working with them through this review and then on to action”
On 6 March 2023, the former Minister for Transport David Elliott released the following four point plan to assist with the Sydney Bus driver shortage:
“As part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals plan, there will be a focus on increasing the number of drivers by securing proficient drivers from overseas, waiving training fees, offering bus drivers in Greater Sydney subsidised travel and giving local communities the opportunity to have input into bus services.”
Key aspects of the Liberal and Nationals plan to address the acute shortage: · provide free public transport to and from work with an Opal card to be issued to all new and existing drivers across Greater Sydney · waive the Bus Driver Authority fee and subsidise training course fees · establish a recruitment taskforce to attract skilled bus drivers from overseas · invite the community members to ‘have their say’ on what improvements they would like to see across the bus network, including routes and timetables.”
On Saturday 3 June 2023, three Lane Cove Councillors (Mayor Andrew Zbik, Councillors Kennedy and Southwood) were in the Lane Cove Plaza speaking to residents about local issues. Mayor Zbik told ITC the number one issue, locals wanted to discuss was public transport. Major Zbik told ITC:
“Council has identified that it has a continuous role in advocating for improved public transport in our area.
The Council website has an ongoing survey to share your experiences with service disruptions in our area – https://haveyoursay.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/bus-service-disruptions
In May, in capacity as Mayor I wrote a letter to the NSW Minister for Transport requesting a meeting to discuss the service disruptions that are occurring in our area.
Finally, discussions are starting with our neighbouring Councils in NSROC on how we can work together to create a regional transport strategy that also includes active transport options.”
Background
The Taskforce has 12 months to review the “franchised/privatised” system. Their first interim report is due on 10 July 2023.
The Taskforce can bring forward interim or urgent findings and recommendations throughout its tenure.
Depending on its findings, the Taskforce may request additional time to undertake further work and related recommendations.
The Taskforce will engage directly with affected stakeholders, including through community meetings and accepting submissions on passenger, driver and operator experience. A Passenger Reference Group will also be established to assist the Taskforce in its engagement with and ensure it hears directly from, local communities. ITC will make sure we keep on top of this issue and will let you know when submissions are called.
In formulating its advice to the Minister, the Taskforce will also consider the Parliamentary Report into the Privatisation of Bus Services.
The terms of reference for the Bus Review Taskforce are here.
ITC will let you know when there is a Bus Passenger Forum scheduled for Region 7.
Where did you hear that? On ITC, of course!!
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