The Minns Labor Government has released the Bus Industry Taskforce's final report that will be a blueprint to deliver the biggest safety improvements to NSW bus services seen in a generation.
The Bus Industry Taskforce's Final Report has 19 recommendations and focuses on four key areas - passenger experience, bus service contracts, the workforce, and safety.
The report contains 8 safety recommendations, and proposes concrete measures to ensure that every bus on the road is safe and fit for purpose, while NSW bus drivers are better trained and more safety aware than ever.
The safety recommendations from the Final Report are:
- Strengthen regulation of the industry and make sure the government can identify, monitor and deal with non-compliant drivers and operators.
- Address any gaps relating to vehicle inspection between Transport for NSW and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
- Improve processes to make sure that bus drivers are medically fit to drive.
- Work with industry on mechanisms to allow for the transparent sharing of driver safety performance data.
- Bring the industry together to strengthen driver training requirements.
- Update the specification for Vehicle Monitoring devices.
The NSW Government has also asked Transport for NSW to establish a regulatory transformation program in response to these recommendations so that:
- The legal and regulatory framework supports best-practice safety regulation.
- Transport for NSW has the skills, experience, and regulatory tools available to support compliance and continual safety improvements in the bus industry.
Transport will engage with key stakeholders, including bus operators, BusNSW and unions as part of its reform program.
The other recommendations in the final report cover the areas of:
- Passenger experience -improving the way Transport communicates with passengers and improving the experience of people travelling by bus.
- Bus service contracts -improving the way transport contracts bus services including developing the next generation of rural and regional contracts.
- Workforce - recommending the NSW Government work with industry and unions to implement a range of improvements to driver training, and the development of a workforce strategy.
The government has provided in principle support to the recommendations and will continue to implement them.
Significant progress has already taken place to address recommendations handed down in the first three reports, including:
- The statewide medium term bus plan to set out a ten year strategy for improving the bus network.
- Support for bus service improvements in Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9 to deliver more services where they are needed most.
- Technology to help eliminate 'ghost buses' from appearing on planning apps and more transparent service performance data provided to passengers.
- A multi-year campaign to promote seatbelt use on buses.
- Intervention in Region 10 (Sutherland Shire) to restore bus services and improve performance.
- Making it quicker, easier, and cheaper for drivers to get their bus driver authority, by waiving the $70 application fee for a further 12 months.
- Offering new and current drivers staff Opal cards.
- Providing new navigation technology to make services more efficient and make it easier for drivers to learn new routes. Transport is supporting operators by providing 1,500 free tablets to encourage use of the new app.
Bus driver recruitment initiatives continue, with the driver vacancy rate down to 231 from more than 500 in April 2023.
For further information, and to read the final report, go to www.transport.nsw.gov.au/industry/independent-reviews/bus-industry-taskforce
Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen:
"When the Minns Labor Government launched the Bus Industry Taskforce more than a year ago, our bus services were in crisis. We were more than 500 drivers short, services weren't meeting passenger needs, and there was no plan for the future. When we came to government our bus services truly were the forgotten mode."
"The Taskforce's work has shown us that bus services are the great enabler of the public transport network. They connect communities to one another, and to the heavier modes of transport like the new City Metro. We cannot have a truly integrated public transport system without frequent, and reliable bus services.
"This is a long term plan and program of work for government, but in just one year we've already made progress on the Taskforce's recommendations. We've funded the medium term bus plan, delivered more bus services for passengers, recruited more drivers, improved passenger safety measures and rolled out new technology to help passengers and drivers.
"There is a lot more for the Government to do, but we have made a very promising start."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:
"We know that buses are a vital form of public transport for many of our regional, rural and remote communities. Since coming to government we have rolled out more new services across the state including in some of the most remote areas for the first time.
"The Taskforce provides a blueprint for future services to ensure that they are safe and meet the needs of everyone across our state.
"After the Greta Bus tragedy, it was clear more needed to be done to keep passengers safe on all buses. I'm pleased the bus taskforce made this an urgent priority and a multi-year campaign to promote seatbelt use on buses is now underway."
Quotes attributable to Chair of the Bus Passenger Forums Marjorie O'Neill MP:
"Thousands of people have had their voice heard, leaving more than 9,000 pieces of feedback on how they'd like to see bus services improved across the state.
"It provides a comprehensive map of what passengers want to see from their bus services, and while we're addressing many of their concerns, their feedback has provided us with valuable next steps.
Quotes attributable to Chair of the Bus Industry Taskforce John Lee:
"The final report is a culmination of the work undertaken by the Taskforce which sets out how to deliver better bus services across NSW. The previous neglect was evident and obvious for all to see. Accordingly, there are many areas needing investment and effort to raise thw standard of services across the network.
"The early signs are positive. Increased funding for services, recognition of the need to implement a medium-term bus plan and a focus within Transport for NSW to eliminate ghost buses, engage better with bus operators and to apply more resources to bus which is the largest mover of public transport patrons in NSW.
"The taskforce welcomes the Government's commitment to implement the 69 recommendations and look forward to seeing the medium term bus plan come to life with bus rapid transit routes in the near future.
Quotes attributable to Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins:
"We know the community is calling for better bus services and I would like to thank the Bus Industry Taskforce for their work in producing the Final Report.
"Investing in buses means less pollution in the air, less traffic congestion on the road, greater accessibility for the community, and more jobs in the industry.
"We believe we can deliver immediate improvements then build on the findings of these reports for many years to come."
