Investigation ongoing at Hillsbus after 115 bus drivers called in sick

AN INVESTIGATION is under way at Hillsbus after more than 100 bus drivers called in sick last Wednesday, causing havoc for commuters.

Huge line of people stuck waiting for buses in Kellyville last Wednesday. Picture: Gav Lamb

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AN INVESTIGATION is under way at Hillsbus after more than 100 bus drivers called in sick last Wednesday, causing havoc for commuters.

Hillsbus is contracted to run services in Sydney’s northwest and west, including Rouse Hill, Castle Hill, Dural, Blacktown and Parramatta.

Last Wednesday, 115 drivers called in sick at one of its depots, resulting in bus cancellations and delays.

“(That) is almost six times higher than the average absentee rate for this time of year,” a Hillsbus spokesman said.

Hillsbus services have been back to normal since Thursday, Hillsbus reported.

Hillsbus confirmed it was in the middle of discussions with drivers about a new enterprise agreement but the Transport Workers’ Union said it was not behind the high number of drivers calling in sick.

Hillsbus said the incident was believed to be an unplanned strike. The organisation has started an investigation which was still continuing yesterday.

Photos were sent to the Times showing huge lines of people waiting to catch the bus to work last Wednesday.

Pictures were also shared on social media of similar queues in the afternoon, particularly of people coming home from the city.

Huge line of people stuck waiting for buses at Kellyville. Picture: Gav Lamb

The organisation said services were back to normal on Thursday.

One Facebook user criticised the drivers: “It was shocking and also to do this while the HSC is on is so wrong. Feel sorry for the students.”

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the organisation was contracted to run services through to 2022.

“CDC, trading as Hillsbus, has held a contract to operate bus services in Sydney’s northwest since August 2005,” he said. “Their current contract commenced in August 2014 for a term of eight years.”