Newcastle’s privatised bus drivers underpaid

September 1, 2017
Issue 

Newcastle’s bus drivers have been repeatedly underpaid since the city’s public transport system was privatised on July 1.

About 70 workers have been underpaid between $200 and $600 since then.

The NSW government awarded Keolis Downer a 10-year contract to operate Newcastle’s public transport system of buses, ferries and the new light rail last year.

It was the first time in Australia that one company was awarded a contract to operate a city’s entire transport system.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said: “The NSW government and its obsession with privatisation is hurting the people who can afford it the least.”

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