Bus drivers in western Sydney to walk off job, 50 routes affected
Pupils at up to 90 schools have been affected by the union action this morning - and can expect similar difficulties this afternoon from 2-4pm. SEE ALL THE AFFECTED ROUTES
NSW
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UP to 90 schools in Sydney have been affected by the bus strike today - and more chaos can be expected this afternoon.
Hundreds of bus drivers from private firm Transit Systems, operating mainly in western Sydney, walked off the job this morning, leaving many commuters and children without transport.
The strike will took place between 7am and 8am and there will be a round two from 2pm to 4pm this afternoon with more than 50 routes including those through Parramatta, Liverpool, Merrylands and Blacktown to be affected.
About 200 are up in arms over pay disputes and working conditions, and are demanding back pay from Transit Systems saying they have failed to pass on wage increases.
Bus driver Darren Woods said they were aware of the “unfortunate” disruption the industrial action has caused to the public but the strike was “necessary”.
“It has been about two-and-a-half years since we had a pay rise, and we are the only company in Sydney that hasn’t received any money from the government, from the company, and nothing is stopping them,” he told the Seven. “We are really at wits’ end.”
The drivers say they have not ruled out rolling strikes next week if no action is taken.
The NSW Transport Workers Union secretary Richard Olsen said this dispute has been ongoing for the past two years.
Due to industrial action most routes & school services will be disrupted tomorrow btwn 7am-9am & 2pm-4pm. More info: https://t.co/a2ig2t3Ta2 pic.twitter.com/RHLZjhwCuM
— Buses West (@BusesWest) March 6, 2017
Western Sydney bus strike affecting hundreds of thousands of people. @jessdietrich7 #7News https://t.co/2o8MNc6Sf4
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 6, 2017
‘The strike is going on because we have been attempting to negotiate an enterprise agreement including wages and conditions, for well over two years. We are still going,” Mr Olsen told The Daily Telegraph.
“As we understand it, the state government has passed on addition sums of money to cover increases in wages each year to the bus companies. They are supposed to give it to the employees.
“But Transit systems hasn’t done that for well over two years, which means they have pocketed well over $1.1 million by not passing it on.”
And the union said they have taken extensive measures to ensure schools and commuters are aware of today’s action.
“We know there will be some disadvantages as a result of this, but we have handed out pamphlets to school kids and commuters so they are aware today is the day of action,” Mr Olsen said.
“We’ve called all schools, private, Catholic, public and others to ensure they can get the word out to the students and parents.”
“We are hopeful we’ve played our part to minimise the disruptions to everyone, school kids in particular.”
Transit Systems also released a pamphlet apologising for the delays.
“Transit NSW wishes to advise that as a result of industrial action, there will be disruptions to scheduled services. School services operated by Transit Systems will also be affected.” the statement said.
“During the above time frames, Transit NSW will take all possible steps to minimise the impact and endeavour to operate services where possible.
Transit Systems apologises for any inconvenience which may be caused during these service disruptions.”
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said they hope the issues are resolved for the sake of school children.
“This is a matter between the union and the operator. For the sake of customers, particularly students trying to get to and home from school, we hope that the parties find a way to resolve these issues as soon as possible,” she said.
“Transport for NSW is monitoring the situation closely. The priority here is to keep our customers informed of what’s going on and keep disruptions to a minimum.
“Transport for NSW has been working closely with the operator to make sure this happens.”
The strike meetings will be held at Hoxton Park and Wetherill Park depots and drivers will be going back to work between the two sessions.
Information on disrupted services can be obtained by contacting Transit Systems on 8778 5830 or alternatively Transport for NSW on 131 500.
Routes affected by the strike:
800 Blacktown to Fairfield via Wetherill Park
800 Fairfield to Blacktown via Wetherill Park
801 Badgerys Creek to Liverpool
801 Liverpool to Badgerys Creek
802 Liverpool to Parramatta via Green Valley
802 Parramatta to Liverpool via Green Valley
803 Liverpool to Miller (Loop Service)
804 Liverpool to Parramatta via Hinchinbrook
804 Parramatta to Liverpool via Hinchinbrook
805 Cabramatta to Liverpool via Bonnyrigg Heights
805 Liverpool to Cabramatta via Bonnyrigg Heights
806 Liverpool to Parramatta via Abbotsbury
806 Parramatta to Liverpool via Abbotsbury
807 Cabramatta to Cecil Hills via Bonnyrigg
807 Cecil Hills to Cabramatta via Bonnyrigg
808 Fairfield to Liverpool via Abbotsbury
808 Liverpool to Fairfield via Abbotsbury
809 Merrylands to Pemulwuy via South Wentworthville
809 Pemulwuy to Merrylands via South Wentworthville
810 Merrylands to Parramatta via Pemulwuy
810 Parramatta to Merrylands via Pemulwuy
810X Merrylands to Parramatta via Great Western Hwy
810X Parramatta to Merrylands via Great Western Hwy
811 Parramatta to Pemulwuy via Hilltop Rd
811 Pemulwuy to Parramatta via Hilltop Rd
811X Parramatta to Pemulwuy
811X Pemulwuy to Parramatta
812 Blacktown to Fairfield
812 Fairfield to Blacktown
813 Bonnyrigg to Fairfield
813 Fairfield to Bonnyrigg
814 Fairfield to Smithfield (Loop Service)
815 Cabramatta to Mt Prichard (Loop Service)
816 Cabramatta to Greenfield Park (Loop Service)
817 Cabramatta to Fairfield
817 Fairfield to Cabramatta
818 Merrylands to Westmead
818 Westmead to Merrylands
819 Liverpool to Prariewood (Loop Service)
820 Guildford to Merrylands
820 Merrylands to Guildford
821 Guildford to Smithfield Industrial Area
821 Smithfield Industrial Area to Guildford
822 Merrylands to Guildford (Loop Serivce)
823 Liverpool to Warwick Farm (Loop Service)
827 Elizabeth Hills to Liverpool via Bonnyrigg Heights
827 Liverpool to Elizabeth Hills via Bonnyrigg Heights
829 Parramatta to North Parramatta (Loop Service)
835 Prairiewood to UWS
835 UWS to Prairiewood
S10 Heckenberg to Miller Shopping Centre
S10 Miller Shopping Centre to Heckenberg
T80 Liverpool to Parramatta via T-way
T80 Parramatta to Liverpool via T-way
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