Safer Public Transport is Better Public Transport

The Better Transport Charter was officially launched today at Trades Hall in Sydney.

The launch was the culmination of a long process.  The Charter has been developed through extensive consultation with transport workers, local councils, community groups and the public over the past 12 months.

The Charter is a community-driven set of principles for the major state political parties to use in developing their transport policies.

It’s also a set of criteria that members of the community can use to judge the policies of the major parties in the lead-up to the State election.

The five major principles of the Better Transport Charter are:

- Invest in high-quality transport services;
- Look after our transport assets;
- Plan for the future;
- Provide a transport system for the common good; and
- Respect the people who provide the services.

I encourage you to read the full Charter.

Earlier this year, the RTBU conducted a major survey of 3,500 commuters.  We were astonished to find that 56 per cent of commuters do not feel safe travelling on public transport at night.

It is clear that the epidemic of alcohol-fuelled violence in NSW is undermining community confidence in the public transport system.

Commuters and public transport workers are sick of being assaulted, spat on or abused by drunken idiots on public transport.

That’s why the RTBU has challenged the major political parties to employ 300 extra Station Staff around NSW, and restore part-time station staff jobs back to full-time.

We’ve also challenged them to employ 400 extra Transit and Bus Protection Officers, to provide a stronger and more visible staff presence at stations and on trains, buses and ferries.

These measures will restore confidence in the safety of the public transport network.

A safer transport network is a better transport.  The onus is now on the politicians to deliver the goods.