Northern beaches bus users to have their say

Angry northern beaches bus users, fed up with cancelled and delayed services, will now have the chance to tell the newly installed state government what needs to be done to fix the problems.

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Marjorie O'Neill, will be on the northern beaches later this month to hear face-to-face feedback from bus commuters, at a special community forum, about what’s not right with local services. (AAP IMAGE MONIQUE HARMER)

Residents fed up with frustrating delays and cancellation of services on the northern beaches will be able to have their say as part of a high-powered review into the privatisation of public buses.

A face-to-face community forum, chaired by the NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Marjorie O’Neill, will be held late this month so bus users can vent their anger and suggest solutions.

Holding public meetings to gather feedback on the previous state government’s policy of contracting out public buses to private operators is one of multiple initial recommendations – to be released in the next few days — by the Bus Industry Taskforce.

The taskforce, set up by the new Labor government. is examining the effects of private companies taking over public bus networks.

Public buses on the northern beaches, operated by private contractor Keolis Downer. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

French transport giant Keolis Downer was awarded a $900 million eight-year contract in 2021 to run buses on the northern beaches and north shore.

But locals have complained there have been increased delays and cancellations as a result, including disruptions to peak hour and school routes.

Keolis Downer says a driver shortage is a major problem.

Last month new Transport Minister Jo Haylen visited the Keolis Downer depot at Brookvale, just days after announcing the taskforce.

The NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen and independent MP for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, speak with drivers including Allan Hodgson at the Keolis Downer bus depot at Brookvale. Picture: NSW Government

Ms Hayle, along with Independent MP for Wakehurst and long-standing advocate for local bus services Michael Regan met drivers and other staff at the depot.

During the visit Ms Haylen confirmed bus operations on the northern beaches would be scrutinised by the taskforce, headed by former State Transit chief John Lee.

“We’ve got acute bus driver shortages, limited communications with the community, hundreds of people waiting in long queues morning after morning.”

Dr O’Neill said on Friday that the public, representatives from community groups, local businesses, and non-government organisations were urged to register for the two-hour forum, beginning at midday on June 24 at Dee Why RSL.

Keelah Lam of Fairlight at a protest against privatisation of local services, outside Brookvale bus depot in November 2019. AAP IMAGE / MARK SCOTT)

She said the northern beaches had been the hardest hit by the bus driver shortage.

“We know the community has a lot to say about the current state of our bus services and we want to make sure they are part of the decision-making process,” Dr O’Neill said.

“We know the northern beaches community is frustrated and the Bus Industry Taskforce is looking at all options for how we can improve the current service offering.

”Your feedback will be considered … I want to hear it all.”

The Keolis Downer Brookvale Bus Depot. It is looking for more drivers. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Keolis Downer Northern Beaches managing director Mark Dunlop said it was

contributing to the bus review taskforce.

“Keolis Downer Northern Beaches is looking forward to working with the new government to discuss solutions for the driver shortages and how we can attract new recruits to the industry, while we continue to focus on optimising bus services for the northern beaches and Lower North Shore communities.”

The independent MP for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, speaks with drivers at the Keolis Downer bus depot at Brookvale last month. Picture: NSW Government

Mr Regan told his Facebook followers that he had met with senior transport officials this week to ask what they were doing to fix the problems, now and in the longer term.

“Yes, I asked about the (private) contracts being varied and or cancelled.

“I will continue to fight for the best services in our area. This means a regular service that people can rely on and hopefully a return of some of the lost services.”

If you want to attend the forum, click here to register.

Those who can’t attend will be able to have their say via an online portal where they can make submissions, complete surveys and attend online sessions.