Newcastleā€™s privatised bus drivers underpaid

September 1, 2017
Issue 

Newcastleā€™s bus drivers have been repeatedly underpaid since the cityā€™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 Newcastleā€™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 cityā€™s entire transport system.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said: ā€œThe NSW government and its obsession with privatisation is hurting the people who can afford it the least.ā€

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