Submissions close for Newcastle transport tender

Submissions from private providers to operate the Newcastle Integrated Services closed on the 30^th of August.

The preferred bidder to operate the ten year contract will be announced by the State Government by the 31^st of October.

The new operator will control all bus, ferry and future light rail services in Newcastle.

The government has continued with their plan to sell off the public transport services despite a year of opposition by the union and local community.

The union has been fighting since the announcement to ensure that jobs and services are protected, calling on the government to ensure that employment guarantees are in place before contracts are signed with the private operators.

While the government has been refusing to come to the table to negotiate, the union has made it clear through ongoing industrial action that the private company that is awarded the tender would be inheriting a hostile workforce.

Pressure from the union has worked, and following negotiations with Transdev and Keolis Downer, two of the leading tenderers for the contracts, we have secured Memorandums of Understanding that will ensure protections for workers should one of these companies be awarded the contract.

This is good news for workers, and was only made possible because of the solidarity that the workers have shown during recent industrial action.

Thank you for your support during this time to ensure that we get the best outcome possible.