180 Metro Tasmania services that are being cancelled every day should be referred to as a ‘permanent cut’ until the state government provides a plan and timeline for their restoration, an opposition MP says.
Labor’s transport spokesman Josh Willie has labelled the suspensions as “disappointing but not surprising” and wants them to be reliably restored as soon as possible.
“Without a specified end date or a plan to resume full services, the temporary service adjustment is just another name for a permanent service cut,” Willie says.
“Meanwhile, massive issues still exist with Metro’s workplace culture and the bus mechanics who service the Metro fleet are still being underpaid.”
Willie criticised the government for not prioritising public transport and accused them of running Metro into the ground since coming into office in 2014.
“After 10 years under the Liberal Government Metro services are getting worse and Tasmanians aren’t getting the public transport they need to get to work, school or participate in the community,” he said.
Metro Tasmania has been experiencing a driver shortage, leading to a reduction in services, with the company currently working on recruiting new drivers and providing them with training and experience.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff defended the government’s investment in the company, pointing to an $8.1 million support package for Metro, which includes a pay rise for drivers, transit officers to address anti-social behaviour and safety screens for employees.
“We look forward to Metro rolling that out … [to] support our very capable drivers of our buses who do such a wonderful job,” he said.
Metro Tasmania say they are ‘still a way off’ from restoring suspended services and cannot provide a specific timeline for when they will be reinstated.
A review of the ‘temporary service adjustments’ is set to be undertaken in March 2024.
