The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) condemns the Liberal Government’s broken promise to deliver transit officers after it received a letter confirming the statewide rollout has been deferred to a “future budget process”.
This is despite the Liberals’ own budget brochure promising a “safer public transport system” and more than two years after officers were first announced by the state government.
Bus drivers face ongoing risks from assaults and antisocial behaviour resulting in two drivers being hospitalised in the past six months and the most recent attack reported in the media in June.
RTBU Tasmania Branch Secretary Byron Cubit said the delay is a betrayal of bus drivers who continue to face violence on the job.
“It is unacceptable that bus drivers will continue facing daily threats to their safety, because the government failed to deliver on a key commitment,” Mr Cubit said.
“Drivers deserve immediate protection not hollow promises. Transit Officers require adequate powers to deal with anti-social behaviour; this includes infringement notices and the power to detain offenders. This is another example of the Liberal Government dragging its feet on keeping drivers safe."
The RTBU’s concerns are heightened by the confirmation to the union of significant delays in a letter from the Department of State Growth, in response to the RTBU’s correspondence to the Minister for Transport highlighting the concern over transit officers on public transport.
In its response, the department wrote: “The rollout of statewide transit officers will be subject to funding through a future budget process”.
“This isn’t just about delayed bureaucracy, this is about driver safety and the viability of our public transport system,” Mr Cubit said.
“Enough is enough. The safety of drivers and passengers can’t be put on hold due to political delays. Tasmanians deserve better than these broken promises. Drivers need certainty - either the funding exists or it doesn’t.”
Contact details:
Lauren Ferri 0422 581 506