Bus union rejects government bid to privatise Metro Tasmania

A spate of assaults targeting bus drivers includes one that hospitalised a driver on the weekend, the union confirms as they reject the government’s privatisation bid.

Rail, Bus and Tram Union state secretary Byron Cubit with Labor MP Meg Brown at Metro's Springfield Depot on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Services have been cut, safety improvements delayed, and a long-awaited new ticketing system is nowhere in sight: Bus drivers say the government should concentrate on improving public transport rather than selling it off.

Of particular concern for local drivers is a spate of assaults — including one on Saturday night that left a driver in hospital.

Rail, Bus and Tram Union state secretary Byron Cubit said the government should immediately rule out privatising state-owned bus operator Metro Tasmania.

“We’re calling on the Rockliff government today to abandon its plans to privatise Metro and in actual fact, abandon its plans on privatisation in general,” he said on Wednesday.

“You’d struggle to find a driver that would support the idea.

“We’ve seen time and time again on the mainland, privatisation leads to service reductions, higher fares and cuts to workers’ pay and conditions.

“If you cut these drivers’ pay, you will not have a public transport system in Tasmania.”

A Metro bus at Elizabeth Street in Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Cubit said drivers were considering taking action if efforts to improve safety were not ramped up.

“There’s been a huge increase in assaults and attempted robberies out on the road,” he said.

“We saw a very, very serious attack on a bus driver on Saturday night where the bus driver was hospitalised.

“The last thing we want to do is see a death on our network.

“Bus drivers need to be protected and the government would rather focus on its privatisation agenda rather than focusing on the real issues.

“When Michael Ferguson was the transport minister, he committed to protective screens and transit officers. We haven’t seen either of those two years on.”

A Metro spokesman said the bus operator was aware of the recent incidents.

“The safety of our drivers is our priority, and we are working closely with Tasmania Police. Metro is ensuring any affected staff receive the support and care they need,” he said.

“Any acts of violence, particularly against our drivers, are unacceptable.”

Labor member for Franklin Meg Brown.

Shadow transport minister Meg Brown said privatisation would only make services worse.

“Metro has already been forced to cut hundreds of services and Jeremy Rockliff’s plan to privatise Metro will lead to more cancelled services, higher bus fares, and jeopardise urgently needed driver safety measures,” she said.

“Drivers continue to be subjected to dangerous working conditions and Minister Abetz should be moving heaven and earth to have the screens installed and new safety officers deployed.”

The Greens also backed the union.

“This morning on my bus commute into Hobart, the bus was jam-packed with commuters,” Greens Transport spokeswoman Helen Burnet said.

“Reinstating services, providing upgrades promised by Minister Abetz and showing some love for Metro should be a priority for the Rockliff Government, rather than flogging it off to the highest bidder.”

Helen Burnet Greens member for Clark. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Minister Jacquie Petrusma. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Liberal minister Jacquie Petrusma said the idea of privatisation was at a preliminary stage and would be subject to rigorous assessment, condemning attacks on bus drivers.

“Can I say that any attacks on our hardworking bus drivers who are providing a community services to our community each and every day is just absolutely appalling behaviour,” Ms Petrusma said.

“The government has provided funding towards more security screens and more transit officers.”

Tuesday was Bus Driver Appreciation Day.

Originally published as Bus union rejects government bid to privatise Metro Tasmania