Linq Buslines: Hunter bus company in $10m state government contract

The bus company at the centre of a horrific crash in the Hunter won millions in government contracts, as Transport for NSW said it would await police findings before deciding its future.

Linq Busline coaches parked in the Hunter. Picture: Facebook

Linq Buslines, the company at the centre of Sunday’s Hunter wedding crash tragedy, has been paid more than $10m in state government contracts to run public bus services across NSW, tendering documents showed.

Meanwhile, Transport for NSW confirmed it would take “any necessary measures” depending on the investigation's outcome to ensure passengers were safe on its contracted buses, prioritising public safety over existing contracts.

On Sunday, one of the Hunter-based company’s 57-seat private charter buses rolled, killing 10 wedding-goers.

The driver, Maitland man Brett Andrew Button, has since been charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one count of negligent driving occasioning death.

In 2016, Linq won a $9.4 million contract for eight years to run services across rural and regional NSW, including both regular services and dedicated school buses.

Aerial scene coverage from the site where ten people have died, and 11 people were hospitalised after Sunday’s crash and tragedy Picture: Christian Gilles

In late 2022, it received a $1.4 million contract to provide replacement and emergency bus services on interstate and country train routes for two years across the same region.

According to the state’s contracts register, the bus company also shared in a $61.5 million contract – with 50 other services, to also run replacement or emergency services, from January 2017 to the end of this financial year.

It is unknown of that amount how much Linq specifically received.

The crash happened after picking up guests from Mitchell and Madeline Gaffney’s Sunday wedding.

Transport were asked if Linq’s state government contracts could be affected after Sunday’s tragedy.

“Transport will await the findings from the investigations and will continue to work closely with all relevant authorities,” a spokeswoman said.

“We will implement any necessary measures to ensure the safety of the travelling public.”

The spokeswoman said Transport routinely conducts safety audits across its contractor network: “We are committed to workplaces and networks that are safe and healthy,” she said.

It is understood any 12-seat or more bus contractor must be approved under Transport for NSW’s own accreditation scheme.

Picture of the scene in the Hunter after Sunday’s devastation. Picture: Christian Gilles

Bus operators are subject to an independent audit every three years, which reviews the operator’s compliance.

This audit includes authorisation checks on all drivers, bus maintenance inspections, and drug and alcohol testing.

Any bus service contracted by Transport for NSW can be audited at any time and public passenger buses require two inspections each registration period, while also conducting an annual self-assessment to confirm they have the systems and processes in place to ensure passenger safety.

The company didn’t respond to request for comment about its government contracts, but did release a statement on Monday.

Linq Buslines director and half-owner Chris Fogg. Picture: Facebook

Linq Buslines director and half-owner Anthony Royle.

“We are incredibly saddened to learn of the bus crash,” the statement said.

“Our hearts are with everyone involved in this terrible tragedy and we send our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

“We would like to thank the first responders to the scene, the emergency personnel and those who are continuing to assist.

“Trauma counselling services have been made available to all staff and their families at Linq Buslines. We are working with NSW Police and authorities as they investigate.”

Linq’s spokeswoman confirmed the company’s buses are fitted with seatbelts.

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