Hobart bus drivers who have stopped collecting fares as part of industrial action claim they’ve been threatened with dismissal by Metro Tasmania.
A number of drivers on the Hobart network refused to collect fares this morning, following directives from union health and safety representatives.
Pulse observed one bus with its Greencard machine covered by a large black “X” as passengers were waved aboard for free.
The action comes amid ongoing safety concerns raised by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), which argues that collecting fares can trigger aggression from some passengers.
“I received a number of phone calls from bus drivers this morning, where it has been announced over the two-way radio and to bus drivers as they’re signing on that they must collect fares, otherwise their jobs are in jeopardy,” RTBU Secretary Byron Cubit told Local Radio.
“A cease work direction is a lawful direction under the WHS legislation, it remains in place and for Metro to turn around and try to intimidate people, prioritising money over safety is quite frankly, it’s disgraceful behaviour.”
Metro attempted to push back against the industrial action yesterday, claiming that, “despite recent inaccurate media reports”, fare collection would continue as usual.
“Metro believes this direction to be invalid and is not in line with our incident response procedures,” a spokesperson said.
“Therefore, Metro advises that it expects passengers to pay a fare for travel and drivers to assist customers to do so.”
At the heart of the dispute is driver safety, with the union accusing both Metro and the state government of dragging their feet on improving working conditions.
Cubit said no bus driver should fear for their life at work and called for urgent change.
The state government said in a statement yesterday that work to install safety screens and increase transit officer numbers was progressing.
