Service disruptions to Sunshine Coast public transport 23rd Dec 2010

[ozbob]

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Qconnect/Urban-bus-services.aspx

Service disruptions to Sunshine Coast public transport

There will be further service disruptions to Sunshine Coast public transport on Thursday 23 December 2010.

Transit Australia Group, the parent company of Sunbus, has advised the Department of Transport and Main Roads that they are expecting a further 24 hour stoppage by bus drivers.

Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah, Railbus 649, Council Cabs and FlexiLink services will run as scheduled, however passengers for these services are advised that any connecting Sunbus services will not operate.

The department advises Sunshine Coast bus passengers to make alternative travel arrangements on Thursday 23 December 2010.

Normal services will resume Friday 24 December.


TransLink --> http://www.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1292805214

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Sunbus drivers to strike again

Sunbus drivers to strike again

Mark Bode | 21st December 2010

THERE appears to be no end in sight to the industrial turmoil gripping Sunbus.

Another round of insults were traded yesterday as thousands of commuters brace for further strike action this week.

Despite the threat by Sunbus drivers to strike for 24 hours on Thursday – which would mark the third consecutive week of industrial action – Sunbus's parent company, Transit Australia Group, is refusing to budge in the face of wage demands.

TAG spokeswoman Cherie Beaumont-Tyson said yesterday that the company continued to urge the Transport Workers Union to negotiate in an "appropriate forum and manner".

Ms Beaumont-Tyson said the previous strike actions had achieved nothing except disrupt commuters and cost drivers money.

"The TWU are encouraged to accept our invitation to sit down and negotiate professionally," she said

"TAG is concerned the TWU do not fully understand the offer that has been presented to them.

"Striking is not going to fill the information gap."

Ms Beaumont-Tyson said newspaper advertisements advising commuters of the pending strike had been booked, while the company yesterday began informing customers of the action through measures that included posters at bus stops, train stations and major interchanges.

Along with a 4% wage increase for drivers, the TWU wants all penalty rates reinstated.

It claimed TAG wanted to return drivers to the award wage, or the minimum amount it was required by law to pay them.

TWU secretary-elect Peter Biagini accused TAG of inflaming the situation.

"Given that a Transit Australia Group flunkey went on the radio last Friday saying drivers were using industrial action to target pensioners, our members have exercised the utmost restraint in the scope of the next stoppage," he said.

"Transit Australia Group's vicious slur against bus drivers, part of its campaign of lies and blame-shifting, is beyond the pale."

Mr Biagini said the interests of drivers could not be divorced from the interests of the communities they served.

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1292805214

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus bus services Thursday

Sunbus services across the Sunshine Coast will not run on Thursday 23 December due to ongoing industrial action.

Services will resume as scheduled on Friday 24 December.

Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead:

    * Make alternative travel arrangements – consider car pooling, walking and/or cycling.
    * Consider rescheduling appointments or non-essential travel where you are reliant on public transport.

Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah, Council Cabs and FlexiLink services are not affected and will run as scheduled. However, connecting Sunbus services will not operate.

Affected Services

    * Route 600
    * Route 601 (Sunbus)
    * Route 603 (Sunbus)
    * Route 605 (Sunbus)
    * Route 615
    * Route 607 (Sunbus)
    * Route 636
    * Route 609
    * Route 610
    * Route 616
    * Route 617
    * Route 618
    * Route 619
    * Route 620
    * Route 626
    * Route 627
    * Route 628
    * Route 629
    * Route 630
    * Route 631
    * Route 632
    * Route 639
    * Route 613
    * Route 622
    * Route 602 (Sunbus)
    * Route 614
    * Route 612