Tassie bus drivers fed up

Tasmanian bus drivers have had a gutful of the increasing level of aggressive anti-social behaviour on Metro buses.

These concerns came to a head when two off-duty drivers were recognised and assaulted by known troublemakers.

Almost 150 Metro employees signed a petition calling on Metro to take action to protect drivers and passengers, while Branch Secretary Ric Bean also wrote to management just before Christmas reminding them of Metro’s legal obligation to provide its employees with a safe workplace.

Metro bus on its way to the Eastern shore

“There has been a very worrying escalation in the threats and violence directed at members in recent times – particularly around the Rokeby area,” Ric said.

“We believe it is incumbent on Metro to provide a security presence on or around buses to provide a safe workplace for members, and to actually remove services from those areas that present an extreme risk until a longer-term solution is determined.”

The growing concern over anti-social behaviour was also raised in Parliament by Opposition Leader Rebecca White, after Ric provided the Opposition with a list of issues relating to Metro Tasmania and TasRail.

Ms White used a Government Business Enterprises Scrutiny Hearing to ask Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson and Metro CEO Katie Cooper some probing questions about safety and other issues on behalf of the RTBU.

“What strategies Metro has for dealing with antisocial behaviour and targeting fare evasion, which is also a problem, that can offer increased protection to both the employees and the travelling public,” Ms White asked.

“As part of that answer perhaps you could also update the committee on

how many authorised officers Metro employs or plans to employ?”

In response, the CEO said that Tasmania Police has four officers dedicated whose jobs is to “support and foster a safe and secure travel environment for all passengers.”

Ric Bean said this is simply not enough.

“At the very least, there should be a trained Authorised Officer on every service that is identified as a high-risk, and a mobile presence in known highrisk areas that would enable a quick response as required.

“It absolutely cannot continue as it is, with anti-social behaviour incidences becoming more serious and increasing in frequency.

“The union will continue to ramp up pressure on Metro and the State Government for action to support increased safety to members.”