June 2021: Northern Beaches and lower North Shore public bus services officially awarded in a $900 million dollar, eight-year contract to private operator Keolis Downer.
Since the privatisation of Northern Beaches bus services in 2021 there has been a mixed concensus about the success/failure of same – often depending on what side of politics you’re on.
The latest outcry however, seems to be invariably negative as routes get cancelled, buses don’t turn up on time (or at all), school children are stranded, long queues form at bus stops and commuters are regularly late for work.
The problems seem largely to stem from lack of drivers and it is this shortage which is worrying some commuters from a safety point of view.
Long time resident of Elvina Bay, Lisa Atkins, recently had cause to quiz a bus driver over the no-show of the bus she was waiting for on the Manly to McCarrs Creek run.
The driver said a full time driver works for 4 hours with one hour for lunch and then another shift of 4 hours. If they’re late getting back to the depot after the first shift, then that time is deducted from their lunch break. He maintains that the timetable allowance doesn’t allow for contingencies such as getting disabled people on and off the bus but drivers are told the buses must run on time no matter what.
The driver also said said that because of the driver shortage he was being pressured to work full time when he only ever wanted to work part time. He maintained he had only been given 3 days training and a manual and then left in charge of the B1 bus. (I’m not sure about anyone else but I find the B1 buses terrifying. These giants belt along at breakneck speeds through Mosman/Neutral Bay in heavy traffic and in lanes that hardly fit cars, never mind double decker buses.)
According to a report by the ABC, a spokesperson for Keolis Downer said training on average was two weeks and four days and included nine days on-road experience under supervision. However they went on to say the exact length of training was “often dependent on the requirements of the trainee”.
The ABC also reported that another driver who wished to remain anonymous said that his training was mostly classroom-based and only included 2 days practising on the road with a driving coach.
Keolis Downer, has been on an active recruiting campaign, due to the shortage of drivers. As of last month there were 90 full time vacancies. No wonder the buses are running late.
And with so many inexperienced bus drivers having so much pressure put on them, is it right to be concerned that the public’s safety could be being sacrificed to expediency?
Article by Pru Colville