Transport Minister Michael Ferguson must do more to provide safe and reliable public transport to Tasmanians as the cost of living continues to rise.
Figures released through the Legislative Council's Question on Notice shows that after a watering down of driver training, in 2022 alone, there were 396 at-fault crashes involving Metro Tasmania buses.
Adding to this, from January to October 11, 2022, there were 291 incidences of violence and antisocial behavior on Metro buses across the state.
Alarmingly, the majority of these incidences occurred in Hobart (43 incidents), Rosny Park (29), Glenorchy (28), Launceston (19) and Moonah (15).
In Hobart, passengers were assaulted on 11 occasions, while bus drivers were assaulted on nine occasions.
No wonder 103 Metro drivers have resigned in 2022 alone - virtually cancelling out the 111 recruited to address driver shortages and dropped trips.
Tasmanians want and expect safe and dependable public transport and the government can't even get this basic necessity right.
Families have the right to know that when their children use this service, they are in safe hands.
The government continues to let down Tasmanians and Minister Ferguson must work with Metro to address these issues immediately.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Transport
