NSW Bus Industry Taskforce announced

[Merc1107]

Can only wait and see; I don't think the Union(s) would have an issue with more doors, or else those (narrow) single-door jobs of yesteryear would still be a common sight across city operations across the country.

The unusual NSW position on all-door entry is increasingly counter to what is happening elsewhere, but perhaps beyond the scope of what they're trying to achieve with this taskforce. The sky certainly isn't falling in other union strongholds like Canberra & Brisbane where all-door boarding is now established as the norm, nor in less-unionised jurisdictions where it exists on a more limited basis (Adelaide, Perth).

[eddy]

Trucks - so this has even less to do with the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce

You are very right except we may buy bigger buses.

[Fleet Lists]

So are you suggesting that such a move should be submitted to this Task Force? Otherwise there is little point in including this here.

[tonyp]

Can only wait and see; I don't think the Union(s) would have an issue with more doors, or else those (narrow) single-door jobs of yesteryear would still be a common sight across city operations across the country.

The unusual NSW position on all-door entry is increasingly counter to what is happening elsewhere, but perhaps beyond the scope of what they're trying to achieve with this taskforce. The sky certainly isn't falling in other union strongholds like Canberra & Brisbane where all-door boarding is now established as the norm, nor in less-unionised jurisdictions where it exists on a more limited basis (Adelaide, Perth).

The union preference in NSW (which is in complete contradiction to their stances in other states) is to make the front door the principle entry and exit. Use of the second door (and third on artics) is for exit only is at the discretion of the driver. This is supported by TfNSW.

[Linto63]

Perhaps those that like to tell us repeatedly everything that is wrong with buses in New South Wales, or believe they know of a silver bullet that will improve things, will take this rare opportunity to make a submission rather than just throw brickbats. And there is a whole nine months in which to refine cases. It is far more likely to bring about meaningful change than labouring the same points over and over again on this board.

[eddy]

So are you suggesting that such a move should be submitted to this Task Force? Otherwise there is little point in including this here.

Yes bigger cheaper buses why not.

[tonyp]

Perhaps those that like to tell us repeatedly everything that is wrong with buses in New South Wales, or believe they know of a silver bullet that will improve things, will take this rare opportunity to make a submission rather than just throw brickbats. And there is a whole nine months in which to refine cases. It is far more likely to bring about meaningful change than labouring the same points over and over again on this board.

No point for as long as those unions rule the roost.

[eddy]

Perhaps those that like to tell us repeatedly everything that is wrong with buses in New South Wales, or believe they know of a silver bullet that will improve things, will take this rare opportunity to make a submission rather than just throw brickbats. And there is a whole nine months in which to refine cases. It is far more likely to bring about meaningful change than labouring the same points over and over again on this board.

Job done today.

[Fleet Lists]

So are you suggesting that such a move should be submitted to this Task Force? Otherwise there is little point in including this here.

Yes bigger cheaper buses why not.

So what are you doing about such a submission?????

[eddy]

Yes bigger cheaper buses why not.

So what are you doing about such a submission?????

I filled it in and sent them my opinions but they only wanted to know where the bus was good, where the bus was bad, trouble boarding and I forget the rest but I did tell them about you know what.

[Merc1107]

Perhaps those that like to tell us repeatedly everything that is wrong with buses in New South Wales, or believe they know of a silver bullet that will improve things, will take this rare opportunity to make a submission rather than just throw brickbats. And there is a whole nine months in which to refine cases. It is far more likely to bring about meaningful change than labouring the same points over and over again on this board.

No point for as long as those unions rule the roost.

I wonder if the contractors would like to innovate in this space too? In any case it's a bit excessive to assume the union's agenda will be the only thing on the table.

[Glen]

The union preference in NSW (which is in complete contradiction to their stances in other states) is to make the front door the principle entry and exit. Use of the second door (and third on artics) is for exit only is at the discretion of the driver. This is supported by TfNSW.

Where do you see that happening?

I haven't noticed it with CDC Hillsbus drivers for example.

In the distant past perhaps, but Covid gave everyone a new interest in centre doors.

[alleve]

The union preference in NSW (which is in complete contradiction to their stances in other states) is to make the front door the principle entry and exit. Use of the second door (and third on artics) is for exit only is at the discretion of the driver. This is supported by TfNSW.

Where do you see that happening?

I haven't noticed it with CDC Hillsbus drivers for example.

In the distant past perhaps, but Covid gave everyone a new interest in centre doors.

I actually saw it happen yesterday on the 476

[tonyp]

I filled it in and sent them my opinions but they only wanted to know where the bus was good, where the bus was bad, trouble boarding and I forget the rest but I did tell them about you know what.

Yes, a very narrow framework for making submissions, focussed on your experience with your local bus service. No invitation to comment on how buses function more broadly as a mode.

[tonyp]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/ ... 66625ca887

[ScaniaGrenda]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/ ... 66625ca887

Better non-paywalled article for those who don't subscribe to Newscorp media

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-n ... ort-sydney

[Linto63]

First Report

[Fleet Lists]

A most comprehensive report.
But how quickly can it be out of date,
The table showing the worst regions for service cancellations as the result of driver shortages makes no mention of region 10 which until 1 July did not have a problem but which on the figures from July would have topped the table.

[Swift]

Saw on Seven News an item about a report on the state of Sydney's bus "services".
News presenter: A new report on Sydney's buses has found they're underfunded, understaffed and badly underperforming, but tonight after a lengthy review, the state government is refusing to commit to fund the recommended fixes.

Reporter: They're large and loud [sound of bus engine idling]......but somehow one in ten Sydney buses apparently vanishes.

Unkown: Passengers have been frustrated by buses just simply disappearing from their transport app.

Reporter: A scathing report finding those so-called phantom buses, a lack of bus drivers and a critical funding shortfall are leaving passengers waiting.

Unkown: What is sobering about this report is that it clearly shows a significant decline in reliability and on-time running...

Reporter: Forty four percent of all public transport users jump on board a bus but the network only attracts two percent of the public transport budget.

John Lee: So they do nearly half the work, and get one fiftieth of the funding.

Reporter: The worst wait's in our west, particularly in regions recently privatised.

Reporter: The report found the revenue raised in those privatisations hasn't been reinvested in the bus network as promised.

John Lee: That money was going to come back to the system for extra buses and more services.
The public got less buses and no money for services.

Reporter: The transport Minister [Jo Haylen] accepting the report's findings but not committing to the funding needed to fix them.

Unkown: Jo Haylen can't commit to her own bus review recommendations.

Reporter: Amelia Brace -Seven News.

[Merc1107]

Skimming through the report, it didn't seem to me like the report was the witch-hunt some made it out to be, nor did it seem to offer much (if any) scathing criticism of the former Liberal Government ... instead they (the State Govt) received plenty of solutions, but are now non-committal about implementing them. About what you'd expect, I guess

For those willing to dig further, some discussion of the extent of the driver shortage, and the perceived causes, were covered in the report.

[boronia]

Reporter: The worst wait's in our west, particularly in regions recently privatised.

Services have always been privatised in the west.

Reporter: The report found the revenue raised in those privatisations hasn't been reinvested in the bus network as promised.

John Lee: That money was going to come back to the system for extra buses and more services.
The public got less buses and no money for services.

John Lee doesn't know that no revenue could be raised, because nothing has been sold?

[tonyp]

Fascinating coverage about the state of drivers' toilets, complete with photos. If they're in this state and only used by drivers, it seems to me that drivers should be taking this up with their mothers, not the operators!

[boronia]

For how many years have drivers been using these facilities without them being an "issue"?

[Merc1107]

For how many years have drivers been using these facilities without them being an "issue"?

Probably the first time it's emerged publicly - but concerns about facilities (plus the ferals who trash them, and the cleaner that doesn't replenish the soap or mop the floor) are always frequent points of discussion...

[Stu]

For how many years have drivers been using these facilities without them being an "issue"?

The TWU have been raising this issue frequently in recent years. When there is industrial action occurring, the finer details of various issues are merged together and buried under the phrase ‘pay and conditions’.