Bus drivers call for public transport reform
Bus drivers’ union Tramways has launched a parliamentary petition calling for legislation to address the pay and conditions of urban drivers.
It comes amidst a bitter pay dispute with Wellington bus operator NZ Bus which resulted in a strike and temporary lockout in April. The union blames the controversial Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) for a decline in pay and conditions nationwide. The policy, which came into effect in 2016 under the previous National Government, requires councils and transport authorities to competitively tender for public transport contracts.
The policy was intended to improve efficiency and reduce the need for government funding of public transport.
But many in the industry say it has given an advantage to companies which pay drivers less. ‘‘They have to compete on labour, because it’s the only cost that isn’t fixed,’’ Tramways Union secretary Kevin O’Sullivan said.
The petition calls on the Government to establish regional collective agreements, to ensure drivers are paid equitably regardless of which company wins public transport contracts.
In March, Transport Minister Michael Wood indicated he could consider scrapping PTOM after a review found it had failed to achieve many of its core aims.
The bus driver pay dispute has triggered other calls for public transport reforms.
Thomas Nash and Tamatha Paul, who hold climate change roles for the Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wellington City Council respectively, made a joint call to bring buses back into public ownership.
‘‘Anything that undermines public transport undermines the climate,’’ Nash said.
He argued that publicly owned public transport would save money by removing profit margins, enabling more discounts and incentives for users.