Public transport commuters are being promised better bus services with a taskforce established to combat service cancellations and driver shortages.
Establishing the Bus Industry Taskforce, Premier Chris Minns said the Taskforce would play a key role in dealing with the consequences of bus privatisation and would drive improvements to bus services.
“In recent years, the quality of bus services has not met community expectations, with service cancellations and driver shortages getting worse and worse,” Mr Minns said.
“It is clear that the existing arrangements and services need to change and the Taskforce will play a central role in delivering improvements to bus services across the State.
He said the Taskforce’s focus areas consisted of service delivery and asset management models, including the: Contract and performance management framework, transparency and accountability; Service planning; Infrastructure and technology; Arrangements relating to the employment of drivers, mechanics, and other key personnel; and Other steps to improve performance including legislative amendments, regulatory changes, contractual or other related actions.
Mr Minns said that given the considerable issues facing the bus industry, the existing contracts and service delivery, the Taskforce had a 12-month period to undertake its investigations.
“The Taskforce will provide a series of updates and reports to be taken forward for consideration by Cabinet,” the Premier said.
“It will deliver a number of reports throughout this 12-month period, including initial findings on 10 July 2023, an interim report on 10 October 2023 with a final report and recommendations by 1 May 2024.”
