The NSW Government has released the Bus Industry Taskforce’s final report, which it says will be a blueprint to deliver the biggest safety improvements to the state’s bus services seen in a generation.
The report has made 19 recommendations and focuses on four key areas – passenger experience, bus service contracts, the workforce, and safety.
It contains eight 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.
“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,” said Transport Minister, Jo Haylen.
“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,” she said.
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.
“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,” said Chair of the Bus Passenger Forums, Marjorie O’Neill.
“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.”
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.
Bus Industry Taskforce chair, John Lee said “previous neglect was evident and obvious for all to see”.
“Accordingly, there are many areas needing investment and effort to raise the 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,” he said.
The Government has provided in principle support to the recommendations and says it will continue to implement them.
“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,” said Mr Lee.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison said the Taskforce provides a clear blueprint to ensure future services are safe and meet the needs of everyone.
“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,” she said.
Transport for NSW Coordinator-General, Howard Collins thanked the Taskforce for its work in producing the final report.
“We believe we can deliver immediate improvements then build on the findings of these reports for many years to come,” he said.
For further information, and to read the final report, go to www.transport.nsw.gov.au/industry/independent-reviews/bus-industry-taskforce.
