Transport Shadow Josh Willie was joined today by former driver Kara Browning to renew calls for greater safety measures for our Metro drivers.
Kara today spoke on behalf of a friend of hers, a Metro bus driver, who was assaulted at the weekend on the Lenah Valley bus before it departed the Hobart Bus Mall.
He was assaulted by a middle-aged man, who was caught and charged a short time later.
People should be safe in the workplace and it’s in Labor’s DNA to protect and look after workers.
It’s no wonder that Metro is having difficulty in recruiting and retaining drivers as they’re not being looked after by Metro and its beyond time that Transport Minister Michael Ferguson acted to ensure that drivers and passengers are safe.
Public transport in the state is in crisis and a complete mess because this tired and out of touch government and its Transport Minister have been asleep at the wheel of this crucial portfolio.
Provision of workplace safety and proper workforce planning have not occurred on Mr Ferguson’s watch and Metro drivers and Tasmanian commuters are paying the price.
Labor would employ transit officers on buses and install protective screens for drivers.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Transport
