Suburbs throughout greater Hobart have been impacted by Metro cancellations

A former Metro driver has called for the government to employ transit cops in a bid to improve bus safety as nearly 80 services were cancelled on the first day of school. WHAT THE CEO SAYS >>

Former Metro bus driver Kara Browning at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

DISRUPTIONS to bus services are likely to continue for weeks amid an ongoing driver shortage, the Metro CEO says.

Meanwhile, a former driver has called for the government to employ transit cops and allow drivers to prevent violent youths from boarding in a bid to improve bus safety.

Seventy-eight Metro bus services were cancelled across Hobart on Wednesday as students headed back to school.

Cancelled services have become a daily occurrence lately due to difficulty retaining and hiring bus drivers.

The situation has been exacerbated by periods of increased sick leave related to Covid.

Concerns have also been raised about abusive passenger behaviour and lack of staff support impacting drivers' ability to work.

Metro Tasmania CEO Katie Cooper. Picture: Chris Kidd

Metro CEO Katie Cooper said disruptions were likely to continue for a few weeks while a cohort of new drivers progressed through their training.

“We certainly and wholeheartedly apologise for any inconvenience customers may experience,” Ms Cooper said.

Ms Cooper said Metro was proactively notifying patrons of cancellations for the following day via the website, app and Facebook.

She said school services and less frequent community services were being prioritised.

Ms Cooper said while exit interviews revealed a variety of reasons for drivers leaving Metro, anti-social passenger behaviour was a factor in some departures.

“We have certainly engaged with the department and the minister’s office expressing our willingness to be involved with a range of solutions … I don’t think anything from my point of view is off the table to have a conversation about,” she said.

Former Metro bus driver Kara Browning and MLC Josh Willie at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Former Metro driver Kara Browning, who stopped working at Metro last year, said she experienced many safety incidents including rock throwing and violent behaviour.

“I had many incidences personally on my bus, And just the general lack of safety and support and feeling just like a number rather than an actual employee, it just took its toll in the end,” she said.

“We need security officers. Metro police. We are the only state in Australia that doesn’t have that. And we need the ability to feel supported when things do happen which is not the current case.

“You aren’t allowed to not take minors on the bus regardless of their behaviour. Regardless of how they treat other passengers, you must carry all minors. The fact that someone can do an assault on a bus and still be back on the bus next month. Nothing is taken seriously.”

Labor transport spokesman Josh Willie said it was time for the state government to step in and help Metro.

“I’m calling on Michael Ferguson to actually have a look into metro, provide them the support they need to turn this around because many Tasmanians rely on safe, affordable, reliable transport and they are just not getting it because the government has taken it’s eye off the ball,” Mr Willie said.