Transport Minister rules out privatisation of State Transit
Tram and Bus Division Officials Gary Way and Chris Preston attended a Community Q&A evening forum on Wednesday 31st August, 2011, at Artarmon Community Hall. Together with Bus Drivers from the local Willoughby Depot, Chris and Gary waited patiently for the “late running” Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian who was the guest of honour at the forum. It certainly was worth the wait, however, when the Minister announced to the audience that it is not Coalition policy to privatise State Transit, in response to a question from Gary Way.
Chris Preston and Willoughby Bus Driver Jon Russell in the crowd
This public announcement in the presence of a wide cross section of witnesses was welcome and the union will be doing everything possible to ensure this commitment is maintained into the future.
Minister Berejiklian confirmed that they are calling for tenders to conduct a study into new tram services in some areas of Sydney, and following a question from Chris Preston, she confirmed that there would be no reductions in the Government Bus Fleet as a result of these trams operating.
The Union would like to think that the Minsters answers are genuine and will lead to many more decades of Government Buses in Sydney and Newcastle.