Save our Buses

Background

In October 2020, the state government announced the privatisation of the last remaining State Transit-operated bus regions in NSW, including region 9 (eastern suburbs). The transition for region 9 to private operators is due to conclude in April this year. The government says that several service improvements are planned across Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter and Central Coast over the next 12 months, including the re-introduction of route 378 Bronte to the CBD.

Waverley Council's position

Waverley Council is opposed to the privatisation of buses in Sydney and any further removal of bus services. We are working closely with the community and State and Federal Members to stop the privatisation from going ahead. We do not agree with the state government that passengers will be better off through bus privatisation. If you would like to lodge a complaint with Council about the government's privatisation of buses, please email buscomplaints@waverley.nsw.gov.au.

Council’s People, Movement and Places policy supports the role of public transport in making the Waverley local government area more walkable and safer for pedestrians, while addressing the reduction in traffic congestion. Waverley is one of the most densely populated LGAs in Australia and also has a high level of public transport patronage, including bus and rail.

What we are doing

Lobbying the State Government about our concerns and objection to the privatisation of Sydney’s buses
Updating the community on changes to public transport via our website, social media and newsletters
Council Motions opposing privatization, including a Mayoral Minute in May 2021 (see page 6 of Minutes)
At the Strategic Planning and Development Committee meeting held on 5 November 2019, Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, tabled an urgency motion calling on the state government to reverse its decision to privatisate the operation of the last remaining State Transit-operated bus regions in NSW. You can read the motion in full on page 7 of the meeting Agenda

What you can do

Email buscomplaints@waverley.nsw.gov.au
Make a written submission to the Upper House inquiry into the privatisation of bus services in NSW. The inquiry will examine the modelling, rationale and process of privatising bus services, and assess the impact that privatisation has had on the community who use the services and the workers who provide them. The closing date for submissions is 31 March 2022.
Write to your local Member of Parliament
Join a campaign to Save Our Buses. Campaigns include:

Join a Save Our Buses Facebook group (there are several in Sydney)