Article: Boss can't give a chit over fares

[ozbob]

From The Telegraph click here!

Boss can't give a chit over fares

Boss can't give a chit over fares

    EXCLUSIVE by BARCLAY CRAWFORD
    The Sunday Telegraph
    December 09, 2012 12:00AM

SYDNEY bus drivers say they've been told it's not their job to worry about fare evaders and shouldn't risk "a punch in the face" to check whether commuters have paid for a ticket.

State Transit's chief executive Peter Rowley is said to have delivered the blunt message last Tuesday, during a tour of the city's depots to warn drivers they needed to instead focus on making big efficiency gains and savings or the government would tender out services to private companies.

Drivers said Mr Rowley told them they were not being paid to monitor who was paying the correct fares while speaking to staff about pay, conditions and the privatisation of some of the state's network at the Willoughby Bus Depot.

Mr Rowley also wants drivers to accept an increase in shift hours from 12 to 13, a cut in paid meal breaks, overtime and other entitlements to make the service more cost efficient.

His tour came after he warned of the industry's "changing landscape" in a staff newsletter.

"Unfortunately, the landscape that we operate in is changing and as I've mentioned before, if we do not become more efficient, our operating contracts may be put out to tender," he wrote.

"I have been in discussions with Transport for NSW and have been asking for a new five-year contract. As it stands, for State Transit to secure this contract, we need to undergo significant changes to become more efficient."

"It is important we demonstrate to the Government that State Transit is serious about being more efficient and that we are the best operator to run bus services in our five contract regions."

A Transport for NSW spokesman confirmed Mr Rowley told drivers it was no longer State Transit staff's responsibility to police fare evaders - but denied he told them not to bother checking tickets at all.

"The chief executive of State Transit advised drivers that revenue protection was now the responsibility of Transport for NSW and that drivers should continue to ensure that passengers paid fares but he did not want drivers to get a punch in the face by getting into an argument with a passenger refusing to pay a fare," he said.

State Transit's figures show the number of checked tickets has fallen by 14 per cent, or 88,708 passengers from 622, 955 to 534,247, in the past year with fewer infringement notices issued.

The fine for travelling on buses without a ticket ranges from $100-$500.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Penny Sharpe said commuters expected those responsible to do everything to catch fare evaders.

[somebody]

I've noticed a shift in the attitude of STA drivers about fares.