Commuters seeking to take advantage of Tasmania's free public bus initiative have been met with 81 cancellations of services across the state — with the reasons why entangled in a war of words.
The free bus measure was introduced on Monday to ease the blow of skyrocketing fuel costs and other cost of living pressures, and is scheduled to run for five weeks.
The cuts to services have also come amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases, with Tasmania breaking its record for the highest number of new cases for the second day in a row.
Metro Tasmania said the virus was hitting staff hard.
In a statement this morning, the company said it was experiencing an "unprecedented" number of driver absences due to COVID-19 and other illnesses.
It said administration staff who held a bus licence were now getting behind the wheel to ease the strain.
"Today, in Hobart, 23 drivers are unavailable to work (15 because of COVID-19 and eight because of other illnesses) while in Launceston the number of absent drivers is eight (one because of COVID, three because of general illness and four who are unvaccinated)," it said.
CEO Katie Cooper apologised for the service disruption.
"Our operations officers are working tirelessly to manage the roster and fill as many absences as possible, with priority given to school services, while many of our bus drivers have worked an extra shift or driven an additional run where possible," she said.
But Ric Bean, Tasmanian secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, rejected the idea that the staff shortages were primarily COVID-related.
"That's a bit of bullshit," he told the ABC.
He referred to a survey from early March of more than 100 members, which revealed seven in 10 drivers had been threatened while working, and 98 per cent had suffered verbal abuse.
Half the respondents said they were either "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to resign, with 76 per cent reporting safety as the main reason, followed by 73 per cent concerned about wages.
The survey also found 67 per cent of bus operators believed Metro didn't take their safety seriously.
"Metro and the state government haven't been keeping up the pace in terms of providing security for our members driving the buses and the travelling public," Mr Bean said.
"We first started flagging safety as an issue with Metro probably two years ago, and it largely fell on deaf ears."
He said anti-social behaviour on buses was increasing in frequency and severity.
"Things have kicked off in a big way from late last year onwards and become a particular problem following the assault of two off duty-bus drivers in December."
Five weeks ago, a disgruntled passenger at Kingston discharged a fire extinguisher over a bus driver and the driver's cabin, he said.
Mr Bean said the incident was reported to Metro.
"At the moment, there's an inquest underway in Brisbane into the death of a bus driver there three years ago, and we're very concerned that something along those lines may eventuate."
Mr Bean said the "abysmal" wage did not reflect the responsibilities of the job.
"Coupled now with the increase in anti-social behaviour — the abuse, the threats, and assaults — those two issues have come together, and a lot of people are deciding it's just not worth it anymore."
Metro Tasmania CEO Katie Cooper was unavailable for comment today.
Earlier this week, she rejected the claim that driver shortages were due to poor working conditions and low pay.
"Metro… believes that the higher-than-normal resignations are because of drivers returning to families interstate and older drivers retiring," Ms Cooper said.
'Legal responsibility' to protect drivers, union says
In a statement this morning, Ms Cooper said seven new drivers began working for the company in Hobart this week, and three more drivers would join its ranks on Monday, April 4.
"An additional 22 drivers have started training this week, with three headed for Launceston when their training finishes, and a further 20 drivers will start our comprehensive training program on Tuesday, April 26," Ms Cooper said.
Mr Bean said the recruitment numbers were "reasonable" but that a bigger push on recruitment should have occurred months ago.
"The horse has already bolted… the indications were there from late November that there were serious numbers of people departing the business," he said.
He said he would like to see additional safety measures brought in, noting the recent trial of security officers onboard some bus services to and from Rokeby had "an element of success".
"The government and Metro need to do something to enhance security for bus drivers and passengers… the Metro board need to be reminded that they have a legal responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees."
