Metro Fare Ban Imposed Over Bus Driver Safety Worries
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) stands with Health and Safety Representatives (HSR’s) at Metro Tasmania taking decisive action to protect the safety of bus drivers following an alarming series of robberies and assaults on the public transport network.
Effective from the beginning of operations tomorrow, Metro HSR’s have implemented a cease work direction on bus drivers from collecting fares on the Hobart network to reduce the risk of harm to frontline workers.
Bus drivers have increasingly become the focus of criminal activity, with numerous drivers being robbed of cash floats, including with weapons and being physically assaulted. These incidents place our members in physically dangerous situations that threaten their personal safety.
RTBU Secretary, Byron Cubit, stated: “Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our members. No bus driver should have to go to work fearing for their life. The rise in robberies and physical assaults has created an unacceptable risk to our members safety.
“Swift action must be taken to ensure drivers can work in a safe and secure environment. The RTBU stands firm with HSR’s in prioritising safety.
“Banning fare collection removes a well-established escalation point which all too often leads to assaults on drivers.”
The union is calling on the state government to follow through on their commitment to train and deploy transit officers across the state, as well as fast track the new ticketing system which would eliminate the need for bus drivers to carry or handle cash. Such measures would help protect bus drivers from the growing threat of violence.
Mr Cubit continued: “This Government committed to a State-wide deployment of Transit Officers over 2 years ago. They’ve been dragging their heels for far too long.
“They deployed security guards with no powers in these tough conditions who unfortunately have become targets themselves. Transit Officers need powers to issue fines and detain offenders.
“Instead, the state government’s focus has been on a jobs-freeze and asset sales agenda that does nothing to address the real issues in this state.
“While this ban is specifically for the Hobart network, HSR’s are currently assessing the local conditions in Launceston and Burnie.”
The ban on collecting fares is effective from the beginning of operation tomorrow and will remain in place until further notice. The RTBU is committed to working closely with HSR’s, Metro, Department of State Growth and the state government to ensure that public transport is a safe environment for workers and passengers.