CLP blames dodgy ticketing system as free NT bus travel extended to mid-2025

‘Spitting, verbal abuse, and vandalism’: An extension to free bus travel in the NT has been welcomed to help drive down anti-social behaviour on the network.

Free bus travel has been extended until mid-2025.

The government has extended free bus travel to mid next year, prompting calls for cash to be removed permanently from the network to help improve driver safety.

The CLP said the decision to extend free travel – introduced in June as a cost of living measure by the previous Labor government – followed ongoing technical issues with the ticketing system.

Logistics Minister Bill Yan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Revenue losses and safety concerns are two of the major issues plaguing our public transport because of the former government’s failure to properly implement a modern, efficient public transport system,” Logistics Minister Bill Yan said.

Mr Yan said $1.1m in revenue had been lost over the past year due to faulty machines and fare-related issues.

“Despite the Department of Infrastructure’s efforts to replace ticketing machines in October 2022, ongoing technical problems continue to disrupt fare collection and passenger data on up to 25 per cent of bus services,” he said.

The government extended free travel across the Darwin, Casuarina, Palmerston, and Alice Springs public bus networks until June 30 next year.

ComfortDelGro Australia (CDC) chief executive officer Tony Hopkins.

CDC, the company operating buses in the Territory, supported the move to help improve safety – less than a month after a Darwin bus driver was repeatedly kicked in the head by a passenger in a horrifying daylight incident.

Chief executive Tony Hopkins said free travel had helped remove a common point of tension for drivers who no longer had to carry cash or enforce payments.

“We have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour, but our drivers continue to face physical assault, including being spat on, verbal abuse, and vandalism to buses, such as smashed windows,” Mr Hopkins said.

“Drivers have little control over who boards the bus and there is a need for an effective system in place to stop or remove passengers who display anti-social behaviours.”

Mr Hopkins said the real issue was addressing anti-social behaviour.

“Safety reforms are crucial, not only to protect our drivers, but to ensure safer travel for all passengers,” he said.

“In a tight labour market, it’s a constant challenge to recruit, train and retain drivers.

“Improving safety across the network would be a major step in addressing these shortages, making bus driving a more attractive profession.”

Transport Workers' Union SA/NT branch secretary Sam McIntosh.

Transport Workers’ Union NT branch secretary Sam McIntosh said removing cash from Darwin buses permanently would make the network safer.

“Our position is very, very clear: there should be no cash held on any Darwin bus at least until every bus has a full driver protection screen,” he said.

“We made an urgent request that cash continue to be kept off buses and we’re pleased that the existing arrangement’s been extended.

“However what now must happen is that full length, fit-for-purpose screens be immediately installed in every bus. Every driver has the right to be safe on the job.”

An opposition spokesman said Labor introduced a raft of public transport changes in June, “including making fares free for all Territorians who are feeling the pressures of the current cost of living crisis”.

“We are now urging the CLP to permanently extend the Labor government’s free fares trial,” he said.

A review is currently underway exploring alternative approaches to the bus ticketing system, including a potential overhaul of the entire fare structure and improved technology for passenger tracking and data management.

Originally published as CLP blames dodgy ticketing system as free NT bus travel extended to mid-2025