Sunbus, Surfside & Veolia Industrial issues

[somebody]

Which also makes me wonder (re overtime bans), why couldn't a reduced trunk service (less 600/620 and to a lesser extent 610/616) be operated? considering TAG was able to operate a reduced trunk service during the floods.

Seems like it could but the Sunshine Coast commuters are being used as a bargaining chip.  I for one am not impressed.

[Stillwater]

The longer the dispute rages, Translink actionally profits from the deal.  It is subsidising portion of Sunbus operational costs, including driver wages.  With drivers not being paid, Translink has reduced its subsidy accordingly.  Why doesn't Translink put this money aside to fund a SC buses marketing campaign after the industrial dispute is over.  People need to be coaxed back onto the buses after all this monsense is over.

[Arnz]

Another update. 

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1312329537

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus bus services will operate due to industrial action on the following days:

    Thursday 11 August - 24 hours
    Friday 12 August - 24 hours
    Saturday 13 August - 24 hours
    Sunday 14 August - 24 hours
    Monday 15 August - 24 hours
   Tuesday 16 August - 24 hours
    Wednesday 17 August - 24 hours
    Thursday 18 August - 24 hours

All 28 Sunbus services will be affected and major transport disruptions are anticipated for Sunshine Coast passengers.

[Arnz]

Services are now cancelled indefinitely until further notice.

All Sunbus Sunshine Coast services are cancelled until further notice

http://www.sunbus.com.au/sit_sunshine_coast.htm

http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/STOPTHEDISRUPTION110811.pdf

[ozbob]

Services are now cancelled indefinitely until further notice.

All Sunbus Sunshine Coast services are cancelled until further notice

http://www.sunbus.com.au/sit_sunshine_coast.htm

http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/STOPTHEDISRUPTION110811.pdf

Sadly I expected this.  This dispute is really exposing how flawed the industrial law and set up actually is.  The Federal Minister for Work Place Relations is apparently the only one who can directly intervene.  Doesn't seem to be any sign of that.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th August 2011

Re: Bus service disruptions on the Sunshine Coast

Greetings,

According to the Sunbus web site we now have an indefinite strike.

http://www.sunbus.com.au/sit_sunshine_coast.htm  " All Sunbus Sunshine Coast services are cancelled until further notice "

We call again on the direct intervention by the Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Chris Evans with a view to getting timetable bus services back into operation.

Apparently the industrial law and set up is so botched he is the only one who can intervene.  If and when this mess is resolved a better effort in terms of legislation is needed don't you think?

Surely someone can stand up and help the struggling citizens of the Sunshine Coast?  Forget tourists, they are probably abandoning notions of visiting now.

One word describes the mess:  HOPELESS!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert_Dow Robert Dow
Sunny Coast - no buses now for how long? --> http://t.co/NhQMZ2G @TheQldPremier @AnnastaciaMP @MinEvansMedia
9 seconds ago

[Stillwater]

Tale this afternoon on ABC Coast FM.  A woman drove past a Woombye bus stop where two Japanese backpackers were waiting at the shelter.  She stopped and advised them that industrial action meant there were no buses.  The two girls had very little english.  They were working on a strawberry farm to get money for their travels and wanted to catch the bus to exchange some Japanese Yen into Aussie dollars.  The woman drove the girls to a bank at Buderim and continued her journey.  With very little english and no idea of the geography, they were forced to find their own way back to the strawberry farm instead of relying on the bus to take them to their temporary home via a familiar route to and from Nambour.  The girls had intended 'buying a pass' to use buses to take them to tourist attractions up and down the coast as part of their backpacking holiday.  The tourists are not reading the papers or listening to local radio/tv.  They merely see the stops, turn up, note when the next bus comes, and wait, and wait, and wait......   

Imagine the confusion of a tourist when they turn up at a Sunny Coast train station to catch the 'train', only to see a bus pull up nearby (the 'railbus') and not understanding or realising that it is the 'train' they should catch.  Their assumption is that it's a feeder bus to a train - a ghost train.  Ahhh yes, the 'world class' service we have come to expect.

Another news item tonight - the Sunshine Coast is Australia's second popular tourist destination - if people can get there, or travel around there.  'What did you do on your holidays?'  "Oh, we sat around at the bus stop."

[Arnz]

From the Courier Mail - click here!

TransLink still paying Sunshine Coast's Sunbus $25,000 a day as services halted by industrial dispute

    by Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    August 12, 2011 12:00AM

TAXPAYERS are handing a Sunshine Coast bus company more than $25,000 a day without it running a single service.

Sunbus is receiving the windfall for services it has cancelled in an industrial dispute with drivers.

TransLink yesterday confirmed Sunbus was still receiving a reduced operating payment under a $28.83 million contract arrangement with the company.

Despite the payments, no buses ran yesterday for the fourth time in a week and are unlikely to run again until next Wednesday at the earliest.

It follows the decision by Sunbus management to cancel all services in response to the drivers' refusal to work on their days off until they get a 79 cents an hour pay increase.

Transport Workers Union bus organiser Bob Giddens said 85 per cent of services could still run regardless of the ban on non-rostered overtime.

"Why is it that Veolia Transport can still operate a Saturday bus timetable during today's four-hour strike by drivers yet Sunbus can't run any services when drivers are willing to work if they are rostered on?" Mr Giddens said.

"They're hurting passengers and they're hurting drivers."

Megan Harkin from Sunbus' parent company, Transit Australia Group, said they could not take the risk of running services without knowing if enough drivers would turn up for their shifts.

"At 5am, how can we communicate to the public which routes will be running? It's impossible," Ms Harkin said.

She said the company was now seeking the intervention of Federal Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans to try to resolve the deadlock between Sunbus and the TWU.

"We are prepared to go to joint arbitration but the union won't sign off on that," she said.

Despite the ongoing TransLink payments, Ms Harkin denied Sunbus was benefiting from the protracted industrial dispute.

"We're getting enough to pay for overheads such as rents and things like that," she said.

Under the terms of the contract, TransLink has to keep paying the company operating payments at a reduced rate to cover rent for depots, leases for the buses and maintenance.

Legal secretary Ina Bailey, who normally catches the bus to Landsborough train station, said commuters would not be happy to learn Sunbus was still pocketing payments from Translink during the dispute.

"Why would Sunbus be wanting to mediate when they're still getting money?" Ms Bailey said.

"I'm certain a lot of commuters are not happy at all, especially with the Transport Minister for not putting in any effort to resolve this."

A TransLink spokesman said, like all the commuters, they wanted the dispute to end as soon as possible.

"TransLink has made it very clear that the union and Sunbus need to have the matter resolved quickly, so buses can run again," he said.

[O_128]

It's is ridiculous that an employer can't ask if they are striking or not

[mufreight]

Both the DG/Transport Commissioner ans the Minister have the authority to withdraw the licence to operate from Sunbus if services are not provided, obviously a lack of guts to do anything other than to keep spending taxpayers money supporting Sunbus so that it can survive without resolving this industrial dispute and not operating services.
The obvious conclusion that most will draw from this is that there is no credible concern either by Translink, the Transport Department or the Minister over the lack of provision of services.
That the majority of services could be operated by the drivers without them working overtime is fact, that these services that could be operated are not being operated shows how intransigent and incompetent management of Sunbus is and managements level of contempt for both commuters and their staff.

[somebody]

I don't see the grounds for withdrawing a license to operate a public passenger service here.  Could also affect Surfside if they are on the same licence (both TAG).  However, giving the contract to someone else seems perfectly reasonable.

[somebody]

Also, the whole concept that the whole contract for a region has to be given to a single operator is an anachronism.

[SurfRail]

Also, the whole concept that the whole contract for a region has to be given to a single operator is an anachronism.

Not necessarily.  It makes administration and planning much easier.

[somebody]

Also, the whole concept that the whole contract for a region has to be given to a single operator is an anachronism.

Not necessarily.  It makes administration and planning much easier.

But why shouldn't another operator be allowed to be asked to run (say) selected 600s during this problem?

[mufreight]

If there was a case of resolve this within 24 hours or lose your operating licence for those routes the buses would be back on the roads within hours, if not operated by Sunbus another operator could then be brought in.
It would no doubt be a collection of buses of a less than optimum standard but services would be provided and there would be no shortage of other operators who would be up to the task.
Sunbus having burnt their bridges on the services in that area would have a surplus in their overall fleet and would put those vehicles on the market, the better units would in all probability be picked up or taken over by the new operator and more new units brought in to replace unsuited stop gap units.
Could well be a vast improvement for Sunshine Coast commuters.

[SurfRail]

Also, the whole concept that the whole contract for a region has to be given to a single operator is an anachronism.

Not necessarily.  It makes administration and planning much easier.

But why shouldn't another operator be allowed to be asked to run (say) selected 600s during this problem?

The problem is with TAG ultimately - there is absolutely nothing stopping them running cut-down levels of service.

They should well and truly lose their contract after this nonsense - I can't think of a less competently managed industrial mess in years, with the possible exception of Connex going to war with the train drivers a few years ago over running defected trains in service.  Look how that worked out for them...

[somebody]

Maybe, but needing to give a whole region to a single operator does make it hard for another operator to ramp up to the required size.  I think this problem is a large part of the reason why BT or SWT couldn't take over some of Westbus's eastern runs (like around Goodna) in recent years.

[Arnz]

If there was a case of resolve this within 24 hours or lose your operating licence for those routes the buses would be back on the roads within hours, if not operated by Sunbus another operator could then be brought in.
It would no doubt be a collection of buses of a less than optimum standard but services would be provided and there would be no shortage of other operators who would be up to the task.
Sunbus having burnt their bridges on the services in that area would have a surplus in their overall fleet and would put those vehicles on the market, the better units would in all probability be picked up or taken over by the new operator and more new units brought in to replace unsuited stop gap units.
Could well be a vast improvement for Sunshine Coast commuters.

Mufreight,

The large majority of TAG's Sunshine Coast Sunbus fleet is owned by the government, and loaned to them.  So if TAG lost and/or were to be stripped of it's Sunshine Coast license, most of their fleet will be transferred over to the operator taking over TAG's Sunshine Coast services. 

The smaller fleet that is owned by them (the older buses), would be able to be either sold off, or transferred to it's other operations.

[SurfRail]

Maybe, but needing to give a whole region to a single operator does make it hard for another operator to ramp up to the required size.  I think this problem is a large part of the reason why BT or SWT couldn't take over some of Westbus's eastern runs (like around Goodna) in recent years.

The Sunshine Coast bus fleet operates out of one depot with a satellite depot.  What is the point in building facilities for another operator just for the sake of it?

I think this problem is a large part of the reason why BT or SWT couldn't take over some of Westbus's eastern runs (like around Goodna) in recent years.

The fact they are beyond the BCC boundary would be the main reason.  Places like Albany Creek and Browns Plains which are also outside the municipal boundary are an exception because they are outer termini for bus routes to the city, a situation which has no parallel out west.  Another good argument to sell the BT bus fleet back to the government so it can be properly used where it is needed.

[somebody]

Should be of no concern to SWT about the BCC boundary.

[SurfRail]

Should be of no concern to SWT about the BCC boundary.

South-West Transit is a subsidiary of Hornibrook and only holds a sub-contract for a number of BT runs using BT vehicles (primarily clapped out) out of the BT Richlands depot.  As far as I am concerned it shouldn't even exist - there would be better chance of circulating newer buses all around the Richlands service area that way.

[Arnz]

About time you did something TransLink.  Disappointed it was this late, but better done than never.

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Translink stops Sunbus payments

Translink stops Sunbus payments

Patrick Williams | 13th August 2011

TRANSLINK has suspended all payments to Sunbus while industrial action prevents Sunbus buses from running on the Sunshine Coast.

TransLink CEO Peter Strachan said the authority had written to Sunbus, notifying them of the withdrawal until the dispute was resolved.

"TransLink was already paying reduced service costs including fuel and now we've withdrawn all payments for rent for depots and leases for buses and maintenance," Mr Strachan said.

"Given the ongoing severity of this disruption with all buses cancelled indefinitely, we have had to take this action."

Mr Strachan said the authority was also considering how it could pressure the union into resolving the dispute, despite drivers being under a federal award.

"The people of the Sunshine Coast deserve better from both parties," Mr Strachan said.

"I understand their frustration. They've had enough. And so have I.

"We've respected the process and have been very clear in encouraging both parties to resolve this as soon as possible.

"But our patience has run out."

Mr Strachan also urged the union to work harder towards resolving the dispute.

"Private companies employ bus drivers under their own contracts," he said.

"But their industrial actions are impacting our customers and they're doing their cause no favours on the Sunshine Coast.

"Workers have every right to consider whether the offer being made to them is reasonable or not.

"TransLink's focus is on getting the buses running again and keeping our customers informed of what's happening."

No Sunbus services will operate until at least 4am Friday following an extension in industrial action.

The Transport Workers Union, fighting for a pay increase for Sunbus' 200 drivers, this week confirmed that drivers would work no overtime.

Transit Australia Group, which owns Sunbus, said it left them with no choice but to lock up buses until the ban on overtime was lifted. TAG said services were shut down because the daily operation relied on both rostered and non-rostered overtime.

"Rostered overtime is tagged onto the end of a number of shifts for a range of reasons.

"With a ban on overtime in place, a driver would be forced to abandon his vehicle and his passengers on the side of the road."

A spokeswoman for TAG said there were still a lot of people behind the scenes at Sunbus who needed to be paid.

"We won't be getting paid what we normally get," the spokeswoman said.

"There are a whole stack of people involved in getting this operation up and running, including admin, HR and even the mechanics."

TAG yesterday afternoon finalised its application to Federal Workplace Relations Minister Senator Christopher Evans for him to intervene and force both parties to arbitration.

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson yesterday called on state Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk to act.

"The government is ducking for cover while everyone's left high and dry," Ms Simpson said.

"There are issues that have to be resolved, and in meantime the public has been left in the lurch. We appreciate legitimate issues have to be resolved in industrial process, but there is no alternative for the public."

[Stillwater]

Translink have finally recognised who its customers are -- the poor punters without a bus service on the Sunshine Coast, not Sunbus or the state government.  Once this industrial action is behind us, Translink will have to look at ways it can rebuild confidence in PT on the Sunshine Coast.  One way would be to direct some of the stopped Sunbus payments to a marketing campaign to attract people back to the buses -- a fare free day, giveaways of go-cards, some advertising in print and on telly; empty out a nursing home or three for the day and shout the oldies a trip to the beach, with cameras in tow to show people having fun with a bus.  Something needs to be done to restore faith.  Sunshine Coasters are among those who use PT least.  With non-existant buses and an ordinary train service, is there any wonder.  Still, we can take comfort in the fact we are getting 'world class' service.  Pity it is third-world class.

[somebody]

A fare free day is quite a good idea.  But I think it is not enough.  Perhaps it should be a fare free week.

[mufreight]

If you are going to have free travel why limit it to one day or one week.
Make it a free service paid for by a surcharge on rates in the areas serviced by public transport in the region, 1% or rates in rural areas and 1.5% in metropolitan areas and operate all services free, does away with administration costs, the supply and maintance of fare collecting equipment and the associated problems with the failure rate of that equipment, taking more cars off the roads reduces the road maintance costs as a further offset.

[somebody]

If you are going to have free travel why limit it to one day or one week.
Make it a free service paid for by a surcharge on rates in the areas serviced by public transport in the region, 1% or rates in rural areas and 1.5% in metropolitan areas and operate all services free, does away with administration costs, the supply and maintance of fare collecting equipment and the associated problems with the failure rate of that equipment, taking more cars off the roads reduces the road maintance costs as a further offset.

It is an interesting question.  One wonders about the costs incurred to collect a fairly small amount of revenue which don't go near paying for the cost of providing the service except for a few isolated BUZ runs.

I think the politics make this idea one for the distant future.  Labour won't do it after spending a fair amount of money on Go Card.  LNP won't do it because they don't support public transport very well.

[O_128]

If you are going to have free travel why limit it to one day or one week.
Make it a free service paid for by a surcharge on rates in the areas serviced by public transport in the region, 1% or rates in rural areas and 1.5% in metropolitan areas and operate all services free, does away with administration costs, the supply and maintance of fare collecting equipment and the associated problems with the failure rate of that equipment, taking more cars off the roads reduces the road maintance costs as a further offset.

It is an interesting question.  One wonders about the costs incurred to collect a fairly small amount of revenue which don't go near paying for the cost of providing the service except for a few isolated BUZ runs.

I think the politics make this idea one for the distant future.  Labour won't do it after spending a fair amount of money on Go Card.  LNP won't do it because they don't support public transport very well.

I reckon a $200-$300 surcharge for all residents in the gold coast, Sunshine coast, Logan , Brisbane and morton councils is fare, 90% of people will be better off and PT share would skyrocket.

[Stillwater]

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council already collects a transport levy as a component of its rates bill.  http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=transport-levy

[Arnz]

Sunbus to sue for "breaking contract by suspending payments"    I do think TransLink should be counter-suing for breaking the contract by not providing services. 

http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/Commuters-disrupted-Sunbus-abc-1640019708.html?x=0

Commuters disrupted as Sunbus dispute continues
abc


Jo Skinner and Imogen Brennan, On Monday 15 August 2011, 8:04 EST

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) will hold another meeting with bus drivers on Queensland's Sunshine Coast today to discuss a long-running pay dispute.

Commuters on Queensland's Sunshine Coast will be without a bus service again this week until at least Friday, after drivers voted to continue their ban on voluntary overtime.

The TWU says the drivers will not start working overtime again until they are paid full rates.

The Sunbus service has been intermittently disrupted since December after bus drivers imposed a voluntary overtime ban.

Sunbus says it is impossible to operate effectively while the ban is in place.

Translink has suspended payments to Sunbus until the issue has been resolved.

But Transit Australia Group (TAG), which owns Sunbus, says Translink has breached its contract by suspending payments to the company and will be taking the matter to court.

Sunbus says it does not know when its services will resume.

The company says it might have to stand down staff and has written to Federal Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans asking him to intervene.

TAG spokesman Wayne Patch says he is expecting the payment issue to go to court.

"Translink have chosen a very provocative path to try and penalise the company, rather than the most obvious assistance they could've given to the people of the Sunshine Coast was to make some representation to the Federal Minister to intervene and have the matter arbitrated," he said.

"To date they've chosen not to do that and have chosen a very provocative attitude towards the company Mr Patch says the company will suffer after Translink suspended funding to it.

"We've got mechanics, the planning team, we've got administrative staff, we've got customer service people that are answering public enquiries and those sorts of ancillary people," he said.

"They come at a cost and we are required under the contract to provide those services.

"Now Translink have decided they're no longer required, so we'll have to determine just how we deal with those particular people." Translink chief executive officer Peter Strachan has defended suspending the payments.

"This has been going on for several months," he said.

"We've had a number of days recently without any bus services running on the Sunshine Coast.

"We know that our customers, the commuters and communities on the Sunshine are absolutely sick and tired of this.

"I am as well and that's why we've taken the action to suspend the payment from Sunbus." TWU spokesman Bob Giddens says the drivers are still waiting for Sunbus to come to the table.

"Up until Translink removed the funding, it wasn't costing the company anything," he said.

"It was costing the public up on the Sunshine Coast and it was costing the drivers.

"I'm very certain now that the company will see the error of their ways and will come back to the bargaining table and will meet with their drivers so we can actually push this EBA [enterprise bargaining agreement] forward."

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Sunbus to resume service on Sunshine Coast

Sunbus to resume service on Sunshine Coast

    Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    August 16, 2011 12:32PM

BUSES will return to the streets of the Sunshine Coast tomorrow after a week out of action due to an industrial dispute.

Discussions between TransLink and Sunbus owner the Transit Australia Group have reached an agreement to operate a Saturday timetable.

No buses have run since last Wednesday after the company cancelled services in response to the bus drivers' ban on working on days' off.

TransLink Strategy and Planning Director Matt Longland said Sunbus had now been able to guarantee enough drivers would be available to ensure a safe number of limited services could resume even with current overtime bans in place.

"This dispute has gone on for far too long and has disrupted the lives of too many Sunshine Coast commuters," Mr Longland said.

"I believe a Saturday timetable will help meet the needs of many who rely on public transport for work, medical appointments or study.''

He said TransLink would only pay TAG for services provided.

The State Government-run agency suspended payments last Friday in an effort to get the buses back on the road.

Transit Australia Group announced on Sunday it would take Supreme Court action to recover the lost payments which are part of a $30 million contract agreement.

Drivers are seeking a 79 cents an hour payrise from TAG which wants the matter to go to arbitration.

[Stillwater]

One wonders whether this outcome would have occurred earlier had Translink cut off the money stream to Sunbus much earlier.

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Mediator appointed to bus dispute

Mediator appointed to bus dispute

19th August 2011

ONE of Australia's top mediators has been called in to assist Sunbus and drivers to resolve an ongoing industrial dispute on the Sunshine Coast.

TransLink CEO Peter Strachan today said respected QC Ian Hanger AM had agreed to act as a mediator to help resolve the ongoing dispute.

"Mr Hanger is one of Australia's best mediators and recognised around the world as a first-class alternative dispute resolution lawyer," Mr Strachan said.

"Bus drivers are employed under a Federal award, and I encourage both parties to seek a resolution.

"This is a non-binding mediation, however we are asking the parties to sit around a table, with a highly respected mediator and try to work through the issues before them."

Mr Hanger has conducted more than 2000 mediations since 1990.

He was admitted to the Bar in Queensland in 1968 and has been a Queen's Counsel since 1984.

In 1995 he was appointed a Fellow of Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia and given highest grading of arbitrator.

He is an Accredited Alternative Dispute Resolution specialist of the Bar Association of Queensland and court appointed case appraiser and mediator.

He has also worked as a mediator for the International Court of Arbitration for Sport and as an arbitrator for China International Economic and Trade Commission.

"I've written to both the union and the operator asking that mediation begin as soon as possible," Mr Strachan said.

Sunbus returned to the roads on Wedneday on a limited timetable after more than a week out of action.

Sunbus services will continue operating to a Saturday timetable today.

A Sunday timetable will be delivered tomorrow and a reduced timetable will be delivered on Sunday.

Limited services will continue while overtime bans remain in place – until at least Wednesday, August 24.

Full details on changes to normal services are available at translink.com.au or by calling 13 12 30

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Needy left with no bus to hail

Needy left with no bus to hail

Peter Richardson | 20th August 2011

DUE to a sudden deterioration in my eyesight a few years ago, I decided that driving would no longer be a good idea and so became largely dependent on public transport.

The routes, frequency and dependability of the Sunbus service were then inadequate at best, but they gradually improved, and so did patronage.

Catching a bus was no longer so disdainfully regarded.

Sadly, though, the stand-off between Sunbus and its drivers has cut deeply into the fostering of public transport usage on the Sunshine Coast.

At time of writing, limited service has belatedly been restored, but when I couldn't catch a bus at all, I was, like thousands of others, frustrated and disgruntled.

My inconvenience, though, was nothing to the distress and anxiety suffered by other would-be passengers like the little old lady I saw at a bus stop during the week.

Frail and vision-impaired, she was peering at a flyer presumably telling her in effect that she wasn't going anywhere that day.

The look of abandonment and hopelessness on her face is etched in my memory.

I was saddened, therefore, to learn that some of the drivers who had volunteered to use their own cars to help such people out had the idea knocked on the head because of insurance and litigation fears.

It would be nice to think that such simple acts of kindness would be welcomed and encouraged.

I know little about the issues in this dispute, but I do know that my experience of Sunbus drivers has been overwhelmingly favourable.

I have seen their competence, experienced their friendly courtesy and particularly admired their patience with ill-mannered, inconsiderate passengers, and I just hope Sunbus fully realises the worth of its human resources.

[ozbob]

From the ABC New click here!

Hope for Sunbus dispute breakthrough

Hope for Sunbus dispute breakthrough
Bruce Atkinson

Posted August 23, 2011 08:18:28
Map: Maroochydore 4558

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) says a meeting today could pave the way for a return to normal Sunbus services on Queensland's Sunshine Coast from Thursday.

TWU spokesman Bob Giddens says Sunbus management has agreed to meet drivers for the first time since the pay dispute began about 15 months ago.

Mr Giddens hopes the meeting will allow the parties to resolve the dispute.

"We've not filed any more protected industrial action, so we've got nothing happening on Thursday and we've got nothing happening on Friday," he said.

"Hopefully for members of the public it could be a return to full services.

"Let's hope that the Sunbus management see that and we start offering full services again on Thursday and Friday of this week."

Mr Giddens says talks in Brisbane this morning may allow both sides to reach an understanding.

"There's been a lot of pressure on the company," he said.

"Obviously since their funding from TransLink was stopped and they then found a way to put on some partial services, I would imagine that TransLink are putting pressure on them to finalise the whole thing - get it sorted out.

"The contract negotiations will be starting in a few months' time and that's probably relevant as well."

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1313397788

Sunshine Coast Sunbus services update

Passengers are advised that until such time as the industrial action ceases, Sunshine Coast customers will have access to limited services:

    Wednesday 24 August
        Routes 605, 615, 630 & 631 will be operating to their normal weekday timetable to maintain bus/train connections
        All other Sunbus routes will operate to a Saturday timetable
    Thursday 25 August – Return to normal full service delivery
    Friday 26 August – Return to normal full service delivery

For Wednesday 24 August, passengers are encouraged to plan ahead

    Please check the relevant section of the timetable for your required service to plan your times for your travel.
    Parents and guardians may need to make alternative travel arrangements for students who catch Sunbus services to and from schools. School services run by BusLink will not be affected.
    You may need to make alternative travel arrangements; consider car pooling, walking and/or cycling.
    You could also consider rescheduling appointments or non-essential travel where you are reliant on public transport.

Not affected

    Students who catch a dedicated school bus route, run by BusLink, will not be affected.
    Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah, Council Cabs and FlexiLink services are not affected and will run as scheduled.
    Passengers for these services are reminded that any connecting Sunbus services will not operate.

Please check back regularly for the latest information, or call TransLink on 13 12 30 for updates before travelling.

Affected Services

    Route 600
    Route 601
    Route 603
    Route 607
    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 632
    Route 639
    Route 613
    Route 622
    Route 602
    Route 614
    Route 612

[Fares_Fair]

Good news for the train connections, thanks to all parties for this.
Let's hope it can be resolved quickly now that there is an arbitrator.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[longboi]

Sunshine Coast Sunbus services update

Sunshine Coast passengers will have access to the following level of services:

Thursday 25 August - return to normal full service delivery
Friday 26 August - return to normal full service delivery.

We will communicate weekend service levels once confirmed.

Please check back regularly for the latest information, or call TransLink on 13 12 30 for updates before travelling.

[Sunbus610]

  It's on again this Thursday......Sunshine Coast commuters'    

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/08/29/no-sunbus-service-thursday/?c=201650&filtered=1#addcomment

[Sunbus610]

It appears that the long term industrial action which has been effecting Sunbus drivers' is now spreading to other SEQ bus operators'

Sunshine Coast Sunbus
http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/IndustrialActionSUNBUS1Sept2011.pdf


Surfside Buslines - Gold Coast
http://www.surfside.com.au/documents/IndustrialActionSURFSIDE1Sept2011.pdf


Veolia Transport - Brisbane
http://www.veoliatransportqld.com.au/media/docs/20110829_VTQ_Industrial_action_1September_FINAL.pdf