Measures to fix bus driver shortage need to go further

Media release, 3 June 2023: The NSW Government’s decision to cut some of the licensing red tape for prospective bus drivers is a small step forward, but doesn’t address the root cause of the problem – the impact bus privatisation has had on the wages and conditions of drivers. 

The NSW Government today announced it will waive the $70 application fee to be a bus driver and make small changes to the minimum licensing requirements in an attempt to address the state’s bus driver shortage. 

Tram and Bus Division Secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, David Babineau, said while it’s positive to see some action being taken in an attempt to address the bus driver shortage which is causing headaches for commuters and drivers across Sydney, the big issue is the degradation of services and working conditions which were caused by the previous government’s bus privatisation. 

“The decision to privatise our buses has led to the mess that we’re in today – where commuter services are being cut and companies are struggling to attract and retain the number of bus drivers they need to keep our city moving properly,” Mr Babineau said. 

“It’s good to see the Transport Minister taking some action to address the problem, but really it’s just tinkering at the edges. What we need to see is plans to reverse the privatisation mess left by the previous government. 

“The application fee and licensing requirements that the government is fixing up were just red tape getting in the way of attracting quality drivers into the system, but they’re certainly not the reason for the shortage we’re experiencing. 

“The measures introduced so far help companies hire but do nothing to help retain drivers and address the fundamental problems in the system.

“Public transport is an essential service – it should never have been sold off to private companies at the expense of commuters and workers.”