Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: 26 February 2021
Dear members,
NSW is still in donuts. Masks are still mandatory on public transport, with no state plans to change this rule anytime soon. Remember, there are some exemptions for transport workers which you can read in the bulletin. Mask-wearing will continue to be a crucial safety measure as the NSW Government predicts an increase in peak hour commuter capacity to 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
Next week, members of the Enterprise Agreement committee will be visiting STA depots to discuss the current Award negotiations with members. Visits will be conducted between Monday 1st March to Thursday 4th March inclusive. A full list of dates and times is available on the website.
In more news, Accellion file-sharing systems used by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) have been impacted by a data breach. TfNSW has confirmed that they are working with Cyber Security NSW to gauge the overall impact on the breach and what this means for customers. No other TfNSW system has been affected.
And more on the electric bus fleet, with BusTech opening another factory in Australia - this time in NSW - to assist the increased demand for e-Buses as NSW strives for a decarbonised bus fleet by 2030. The factory will be the fourth in Australia and will source the majority of materials locally.
Once again, we encourage you to show your support for the most recent RTBU campaign calling for the government to protect COVID-vulnerable workers.The petition targets workers with pre-existing conditions who are more susceptible to adverse effects from the virus. Implementing a financial support system similar to JobKeeper will allow them to remain safe at home and securely employed to ensure they can stay out of harm's way. As essential workers, we know that a way to ensure safe and secure employment in the face of adversity should be a right for all.
We are continuing to appeal to members to please give generously to the donation account we have set up for Michael Yammouni, a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot. Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian. All funds from the account will go towards Michael's legal defence. View the details on where to donate here.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
STA Negotiation Updates: STA Depot Visits
Members of the Enterprise Agreement committee will be coming out to STA depots next week to discuss the current Award negotiations with members. The dates and times of depots to be visited are as follows:
DATES, TIMES & DEPOTS
Mon 1st March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - Mona Vale
Mon 1st March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - Willoughby
Tue 2nd March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - Ryde
Tue 2nd March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - Randwick
Wed 3rd March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - North Sydney
Wed 3rd March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - Port Botany
Thu 4th March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - Waverly
Thu 4th March - 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm - Brookvale
Mask Update and Q&A
We've recently updated the Mask Q&A to keep up to speed with state health direction. The NSW Government has fine tuned the direction for mandatory masks. After representations by unions including the RTBU, the government has introduced a degree of common sense to the Public Health Order.
Public Health Order Exemption: Mandatory Face Coverings
Members are advised of a recent exemption to the mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport issued by NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard MP.
The order states a person is exempt from wearing a mask if they:
- Are at premises, at a public transport waiting area, or in a vehicle for the purposes [of] their employment or engagement; AND
- Are not interacting directly with members of the public.
This is limited to staff, contractors, volunteers, or workers at the premises.
This means that LRV operators do not have to wear a mask whilst inside the driver’s cabin, and that bus drivers running special do not have to wear a mask.
The RTBU will continue to support health advice for the safety of our members and the traveling public.
Full health orders and exemptions can be found on the NSW Government Health website.
If you have any questions, please contact your local delegate or organiser.
Let’s look after COVID-Vulnerable workers, and keep Australians safe.
Australia is doing an incredible job of containing the COVID-19 virus. But when outbreaks occur, not everyone can work from home during a lockdown - and this loss of income is disastrous for workers and their families.
The RTBU is launching its campaign for a COVID-Vulnerable worker payment, allowing workers to continue receiving their full pay, while staying at home and out of harm’s way during a lockdown period. Help us keep Australia and its workers safe.
Donations for TSA Driver Michael Yammouni
Donations are being collected to assist a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot. Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
We’ve all had and seen near misses and know how easily this could happen to any one of us. The RTBU has set up an account for drivers to donate to and help with Michael’s legal defence. Add your name or depot location to the deposit reference field so Michael knows who has contributed.
Thank you for supporting our colleague as he traverses this most difficult of times.
View the details on where to donate on the Tram & Bus website.
RTBU Gift Cards - Activate before the deadline
In order to use your RTBU Gift Cards, please activate your card by March 31st. The card is valid until September 30th.
Increased peak hour capacity may strain social distancing measures
There are concerns that green dots on public transport will soon be irrelevant as patronage approaches 70% of pre-pandemic levels during peak hour as more and more people return to work.
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance says that the green dots may only be useful during off-peak times.
“It does remind people, particularly in the off-peak services, to go and sit on one and keep a bit of distance from people. Obviously its practicality in the middle of a peak service where everyone has come to the station at the same time, that’s a bit more problematic,” Mr Constance said.
The NSW Government to currently has no plans to change their public transport plan. However, a government source speaking on the condition of anonymity claims the state was considering rolling out more green dots in a bid to control the surge. This comes after the last roll out in December 2020.
Transport for NSW confirms data taken in Accellion breach
Transport for NSW has confirmed it has been impacted by a cyberattack on an Accellion-owned file transfer system. The system was widely used to share and store files by organisations around the world.
"Before the attack on Accellion servers was interrupted, some Transport for NSW information was taken... We are working closely with Cyber Security NSW to understand the impact of the breach, including to customer data," it said.
No other Transport for NSW system has been compromised.
Read the full article on ZDNet.
BusTech plans NSW eBus factory to meet state demand
BusTech is set to open it's fourth Australian factory in NSW to support the NSW Government's efforts to decarbonise the state bus fleet by 2030.
Currently, BusTech has 3 factories in Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia.
BusTech joins BCI, Yutong, Nexport BYD Gemilang and Nexport BYD Volgren as certified suppliers of electric buses to the NSW government.
Read the full article on The Driven.
COVID-19: FAQs
We are constantly updating the COVID-19 frequently asked questions section of the website, so please make sure you head there and have a look. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your local delegate or the Division office at nswbus@rtbu-nsw.asn.au.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
