Dear members,

As the holiday season approaches, we hope you find comfort in the NSW Government increasing its outdoor and indoor guest capacity as we prepare to celebrate with our loved ones. Spirits are higher as we approach the criteria for elimination of COVID-19, and as Victoria called elimination last weekend.

Though we must remember that health and safety must remain a priority. This is especially important as the state government prepares to repeal the work-from-home public health order, which will see transport capacities increase over the Summer. Masks on public transport continue to be a sticky issue, with NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance voicing concerns that decreasing rates of mask-wearing on public transport may pose a risk to the health and safety of commuters and transport workers.

The issue of climate change is becoming more prominent on the table as well. Fifty e-buses have been confirmed to roll out in early 2021 as the government looks to convert the entire fleet by 2030 as a remedy for carbon emissions produced by fossil fuel-powered public transport networks. Additional plans to implement solar energy at all bus depots have also been put forward.

In more news, we've secured a win for Newcastle East! A route connecting Newcastle East to Marketown will be re-introduced on Sunday. This success has been celebrated by State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, and the Newcastle East Residents Group. They have sent us Thank You messages which you can read below.

We'd also like to shout out a big THANK YOU!!! to Mary Trujillo, who made masks for all our members by hand at the beginning of the pandemic. We gave her a small token of thanks last week, but there is an infinite measure to how grateful we are to Mary's generous contribution to ensure our members' safety.

And although we didn't catch it in the previous Express, November 27 marked the 50th anniversary of Sydney's first female bus driver, June Lusk, starting her first service out of the Brookvale depot! June is a pioneer for the more than 400 women bus drivers currently behind the wheels of Sydney services, and the hundreds more across related roles.

To the tram lanes now, where a Light Rail network has been recommended by the Committee of Sydney as a key method for alleviating traffic and urban planning issues surrounding Parramatta Road. A service connecting Burwood to the CBD has been proposed as the best course of action. More to come on this in the future.

Once again, we are appealing to members to please give generously to the donation account we have set up for Roy Stanton, an STA bus driver from Randwick bus depot. Roy has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a delivery driver. All funds from the account will go towards Roy's legal defence. View the details on where to donate here.

Today is the last day we can include the Bus Privatisation Survey for Regions 7, 8 and 9! It is absolutely crucial that you complete this if you haven't already. We need to amplify our voice to the NSW Government, as it continues its plan to privatise the last remaining publicly owned buses in regions 7, 8 and 9. Passengers of these regions face inefficient travel times and unreliable timetables. So take 5 minutes and have your say, and share it around to others who are being impacted to make sure that buses continue to run for people, not profit.

We’re also still looking for an RTBU member in the Canberra Trams to take part in the Workplace Organising Committee along with other unions, HSR’s and management representative. Learn more about the role and how to express your interest on the website.

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.

BBQs at Pyrmont and Randwick Tram Depots a Huge Success

Over the last two weeks, we’ve been hosting BBQs at the tram depots in Pyrmont and Randwick.

The BBQs were held in memory of our members Melissa Tompsett and David Gudgeon, who have recently passed away.

There was a great turnout every time. RTBU Branch secretary Alex Claassens even popped in to both BBQs for a bite or two.

We recognise these BBQs have been a great opportunity for us to get out and engage with our members. We have thoroughly enjoyed listening to what you have to say, and your concerns.

For those who missed out, no need to worry! We’re currently looking at holding more of these BBQ events for members at more depots from February 2021.

View some more snaps over the last two weeks on the Tram & Bus website.

A BIG THANK YOU to Mary Trujillo

Pictured above is the lovely and ever-so-generous Mary Trujillo.

Mary reached out to us just after the COVID-19 crisis began and offered to make cloth masks for our members to use. These were distributed to our members as she produced them, and they were very well received by everyone.

On Thursday 19th November, our President, Daniel Jaggers, met up with Mary and presented her with a token of our appreciation - some delicious chocolates and a bouquet of flowers.

There aren't enough words to thank Mary for her great contribution towards ensuring our members felt safer whilst performing their duties.

Thank you, Mary!

Common Sense prevails in Newcastle East

We’re proud to announce the re-introduction of a direct route from Newcastle East to Marketown shopping centre!

The Union has received messages of thanks from State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, and from the Newcastle East Residents Group (NERG), thanking the members for their support throughout the campaign.

“I am please to advise that Newcastle Transport has today notified me that a new bus service will start operating in December linking Newcastle East to Marketown… Thank you for your support and for working with me to deliver this important service for Newcastle East residents." Mr. Crakanthorp said.

NERG echoed this sentiment, saying: “A big ‘thank you’ from local residents and workers in the East End. Your efforts to secure a bus service to Marketown are greatly appreciated. The removal of loop buses through residential streets is a wonderful outcome!”

From Sunday 13 December, the current route 23 will be extended with a direct connection between Newcastle East and Marketown. Timetables were loaded into the Trip Planner app on Sunday 29 November.

Positive COVID-19 Cases on Light and Heavy Rail

As many members would have seen, there was a recent positive COVID-19 case on the light and heavy rail. Transport for NSW has things in hand, implementing extra cleaning and more rigorous contact tracing across the network with Opal cards. Public announcements about the times and locations the individual was on transport have been held. For those who missed it, these are-

Light Rail:

• Friday 27 November Convention to Central at 4:01pm – 4.11pm
• Saturday 28 November Convention to Central at 3:14pm – 3.29pm
• Sunday 29 November Convention to Capitol Square 3:58pm – 4.09pm
• Sunday 29 November Capitol Square to Central 4.55pm – 5.03pm
• Monday 30 November Central to Convention 06:39am – 6.54am
• Monday 30 November Convention to Central 3.10pm – 3.26pm

Drivers in cabins are considered to be casual contacts, so testing is not required. Transdev has done some extra cleaning around the depots, including meal rooms. CSO/AOs who were in the area at those times have been asked to get tested and employees who have to wait for results will be able to access special leave.

Bus services overhaul in Sydney’s north

A major overhaul of bus services in Sydney's north will negatively impact commuters as of January 2021.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced a new express bus service along Victoria Road from West Ryde to the city and an extra 700 weekly services in Region 7 in a move to push more frequent services with limited stops.

However, this method of streamlining the network also offers the uglier side of the coin, with proposed cuts to existing services in Parramatta, Carlingford, Macquarie Park, Ryde and Eastwood. Additionally, low-frequency routes 518 and 520 will become feeder services to Top Ryde, meaning customers will have to take the 500X into the CBD. The 518 will also redirect to Meadowbank Wharf.

RTBU’s Bus Division president Daniel Jaggers voiced his concerns that those not living near to the main roads, such as Victoria Road, would miss out.

“The people that are not on that main road, they're the ones who suffer,” Mr. Jaggers said.

“Unless you live on Victoria Road, you might find your services are going to be a lot more difficult to get to.

“We believe that it can encourage people to get back in the car.”

View the full list of changes by route on the Tram & Bus website.

Read the full article on The Daily Telegraph here. Please note, this article is behind a paywall.

Bus capacity to increase to 45% despite dwindling mask use

The Berejiklian Government is set to repeal the public health order requiring employees to work from home on Monday 14 December. 

As more people are expected to resume their usual commute to work as a result, public transport capacities are set to rise. Green dots informing passengers where to sit on Sydney buses will increase, bringing the total commuter capacity from 38% to 45% by mid-December.

However, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has reiterated that mask use on public transport has plummeted as low as 15% in some parts of Sydney. There are now concerns that boosting the capacity of public transport services may pose a health risk to commuters and transport workers if rates of mask-wearing do not improve. This concern has been echoed by Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

Read the full article on The Sydney Morning Herald.

Sydney aims for 8000-strong electric bus fleet by 2030

The first quarter of 2021 will see a new stream of 50 electric buses on Sydney roads as the state government strives to convert the fleet completely by 2030.

This comes after successful trials of five buses in the inner west over the last 18 months.

The buses, ordered from a range of suppliers including BCI, Yutong, Nexport BYD Gemilang and Nexport BYD Volgren, run on 15 hours of charge, with future scope to also add solar panels to all bus depots in the coming years.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance believes that the conversion to e-buses will be a major step towards minimising the transport carbon emissions contributing to climate change. He has since implored the NSW Government to reconsider proposed electric vehicle taxes, which may inhibit the switch to cleaner transport.

Read the full article on The Sydney Morning Herald.

The women who set the wheels in motion for female Sydney bus drivers

Sitting behind the wheel of a double-decker service from Wynyard to Palm Beach in the Spring of 1970, June Lusk became the first female Sydney bus driver as soon as she exited the Brookvale depot.

November 27 marked 50 years since Mrs. Lusk, now aged 91, made her mark on the traditionally male-dominated industry and opened the doors for over 400 women driving Sydney's buses today. These 400-plus drivers make up only 5% of the driving force, but there are hundreds more women engaged in related roles across the city, 

State Transit Authority's first female chief executive, Daniela Fontana, says that "...for years, women were employed as conductresses and cleaners but driving was a male dominated industry and many of their applications to get behind the wheel were rejected..." 

Lorna Hutchings, the first female bus driver at Burwood depot, also started driving buses around this time. 

"Walking down the stairs at Burwood depot, they were all looking at me and I thought, 'What have I gotten myself into?' But I loved the job and I've made some great friends in the industry over the years." Mrs. Hutchings says.

Read the full article on The Sydney Morning Herald.

Light Rail on wish-list for reviving Parramatta Road

The completion of WestConnex is approaching, and so too is the deadline to urbanise the maligned strip along Parramatta road. 

Following a report by the Committee for Sydney, the government has been urged by both the Committee and NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes to utilise the light trail - or the more recently mentioned "trackless trams" - to alleviate much of the traffic. A service connecting Burwood to the CBD has been proposed as the preferred service route.

Read the full article on The Sydney Morning Herald.

Donations for STA Driver Roy Stanton

Donations are being collected to assist an STA bus driver from Randwick bus depot. Roy has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a delivery driver.

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 Roy’s legal defence. Add your name or depot location to the deposit reference field so Roy 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.

Our Transport Community Consultation Region 7, 8 and 9

The NSW Government is planning to privatise Sydney's last remaining publicly owned buses. 

The changes will impact commuters in Region 7 (North Sydney), Region 8 (Northern Beaches) and Region 9 (The Eastern Suburbs). 

From December, thousands of commuters in Region 8 covering the Northern Beaches alone will see their journey times inflate as they are forced to take two or three buses where they once took only one.

The Our Transport campaign is collecting information about which bus routes commuters are most worried about losing. Have your say in this 5-minute survey.

The Government keeps insisting that privatisation will mean better services for commuters. But we saw what happened in the Inner West and Newcastle – routes were changed or axed entirely, bus stops were removed and on-time running plummeted.

We’re seeing it again now. There are many places in Sydney that our train network doesn’t reach, where people rely heavily on a reliable, convenient public bus network to get by.

These buses must be run for the people, not profit, or commuters who live along less ‘profitable’ routes will get left behind. 

Take the bus privatisation survey now and help us show the Government that people depend on their local routes remaining intact and on time.

CMET Workgroup

We’re looking for an RTBU member to take part in the Workplace Organising Committee along with other unions, HSR’s and management representative.

This group will deal with issues locally where possible and gives all employees the chance to have their issues heard and resolved in a transparent way.

It’s not a throw away committee but a real opportunity to hold the company to account over serious issues.

Anyone interested should contact the Tram and Bus divisional office on (02) 9319-7277.

Along with other unions we’ve also raised what can only be described as a toxic workplace culture. CMET have agreed to issuing a confidential employee survey as a starting point to allow employees to voice their concerns without fear of reprisal.

We encourage all members to take part, be heard and help turn CMET into a better place to work.

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.

Once again, stay safe.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers