Labor has today launched a petition to stop the Rockliff Liberal Government's cuts and save Tasmania's public transport.
It's a sad state of affairs that it's come to this, but after 10 years of a Liberal Government, the wheels are falling off Tasmania's public transport system.
Last month's decision to cut services was nothing but a cynical PR exercise by Minister Ferguson to enable the government to point to fewer bus cancellations.
Since then, Labor has been inundated with complaints from people whose lives have been severely disrupted by service cuts.
However, the Government has largely washed its hands of the issue, with Minister for Transport Michael Ferguson nowhere to be seen in coming up with any solutions that will make a difference to those who rely on buses to get to school, work and participate in the community.
The driver shortage isn't a new problem, but it's only become worse under Minister Ferguson's watch.
Liberal Governments have a habit of running public services into the ground before cutting them, and after ten years in government, that appears to be exactly what we're seeing here.
Labor will give the community a say through the collection of a petition and we will continue to advocate for the community in calling on the government to reverse the service cuts and address the issues raised in the petition as a matter of urgency.
Labor's petition to Reverse Metro Tasmania Cuts and Support Public Transport is available to sign here: https://taslabor.org.au/campaigns/reverse-metro-tasmania-cuts-and-support-public-transport/
The petition of the undersigned Citizens of Tasmania draws to the attention of the Legislative Council:
- The recent service cuts to Metro Tasmania in southern Tasmania and the impact on Tasmanians trying to get to work, school or participate in the community.
- The ongoing recruitment and retention issues impacting Metro Tasmania's workforce and the lack of consideration by the Government in regards to the pay and conditions of drivers to improve the situation.
- Ongoing safety issues for Metro Tasmania passengers and drivers and the lack progress on the rollout of Transit Officers with powers to curb antisocial behaviour and the installation of security screens.
Petitioners calls on the government to reverse the service cuts and address the issues raised in the petition as a matter of urgency.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Transport
