Public transport pain on the way amid Covid chaos

Thousands of trains, trams and buses have been cancelled after staff were thrust into isolation – and there’s more chaos expected in coming weeks.

Thousands of public transport services have been cancelled as a result of worker isolation rules. Picture: Wayne Taylor

More than 3200 public transport trips were cancelled last month as Covid-19 chaos gripped the network.

Operators say the number of workers forced into isolation when the Omicron wave struck had a big impact on services, with 1493 train trips scrapped in December – up from 618 the previous month.

On the tram network, 1347 services were cancelled in the same month, while 437 regional train services were dumped – although those numbers were lower than other months last year.

The state opposition said the government failed to prepare for rising case numbers by not providing rapid antigen tests for staff who were locked down in isolation, even if not sick.

But the government said there had been “minimal disruptions” on the network considering the pandemic’s impact, and staff numbers were now returning to normal.

Train, tram and bus companies have posted warnings of driver shortages at stations and stops this month, with commuters urged to plan ahead and be patient.

The sector has been one of many to be crippled by worker shortages due to people with Covid-19 or isolating due to being a close contact.

Opposition public transport spokeswoman Steph Ryan said the system had deteriorated under the government and there would be “more chaos over the coming weeks”.

“The Andrews Labor government has failed to safeguard the state’s public transport network, despite having two years to plan and prepare for an outbreak of this scale,” she said.

“Early adoption of rapid antigen testing would have played a crucial role in keeping our trains on track and getting commuters where they need to be.”

A government spokeswoman said despite disruptions, the network had held up and continued to operate safely.

“During the recent spike in cases, we were able to keep Victorians moving safely with minimal disruptions across the network – and we thank passengers for their patience during this time,” she said.

The spokeswoman said a number of public transport staff were currently isolating but in recent weeks that number had decreased.

Metro Trains currently has no service cancellations due to staff availability, but bus operator Transdev had almost 3 per cent of its total driver workforce impacted and operated on a contingency timetable last Friday.

Weekday services are planned to return to a regular timetable from Monday.

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