Rally to resolve “failed” community transport service

Dozens of former drivers and clients of Community Transport Central Coast (CTCC) rallied in Wyong last Thursday, October 17, to demand the NSW Government immediately intervene to resolve the failure of the vital service.

CTCC employees were blindsided by the company’s sudden closure on September 20, leaving more than 70 workers without jobs, and many clients who relied on the service were stranded.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community Transport took over the non-for-profit service which gets two thirds of its revenue from the State Government.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) was working closely with the NSW Government to ensure the quick re-establishment of the essential service on the Central Coast with the expectation that former drivers would continue.

TWU NSW State Secretary Richard Olsen said the NSW Government made it clear that as many of the drivers as possible should be re-engaged.

“The government-appointed interim provider Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community Transport (HKCT) has failed to run a fair hiring process and instead selected only a few drivers from more than 40,” he said.

“HKCT is also struggling to meet user needs, leaving many without transport to essential medical appointments, forcing families to pay for taxis.”

In a statement issued earlier this month HKCT General Manager Helen Crouch said that discussions with former employees of the previous operator were welcome and an ongoing process.

“We are focused on providing critical trips to eligible clients to provide continuity of access for the community,” she said.

“In addition to this, we are considering the appropriate operational model to deliver critical services, which includes workforce requirements to deliver these services in a manner that is sustainable for the foreseeable future.”

TWU drivers and clients gathered last Thursday outside the office of Minister for Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris to demand that he hold HKCT accountable and ensure that reliable, accessible community transport is resumed for all.

“We need swift action to ensure that the elderly and vulnerable in our community are not left stranded,” TWU State Secretary Richard Olsen said.

“HKCT must step up, restore services immediately and give former CTCC drivers the fair opportunity to return to the jobs they love.”

One former driver, Gregg Farebrother, says he started a change.org petition – Get Community Transport Operating Again – to attract the attention of local politicians and Transport for NSW.

“Of (the former) 43 drivers only five have been offered employment – it took four days to transfer the contract/licence to HKCT but five weeks to begin the re-employment process,” he said.

“So far the service is falling well short of the community’s vital requirements … while the vast majority of 50 vehicles remain unused gathering dust.

“It’s easy for Transport for NSW to check how many Central Coast people were transported in the past two weeks under HKCT, compared to how many people were transported in the two weeks before CTCC closed.

“That will highlight the alarming effect on our community.”

To sign the petition go to: https://chng.it/MpNJkWPFWS

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris was in Parliament last Thursday when the rally took place and has been contacted for comment.

Sue Murray