Message from State Transit CEO

24/10/2019

Dear colleagues,

Today the NSW Government will announce that our bus Regions 7, 8 and 9 will be put out to competitive tender in early 2020 in order to franchise the remaining government-run bus services.

I understand many of you will be disappointed by the decision, but I can assure you it is not a reflection of the hard work, dedication and commitment I have seen day in, day out over the last two and a half years as CEO of State Transit.

It is a Government decision as the owner of State Transit to franchise the remaining regions. I too am saddened this journey has come to an end but accept the decision has been made. In the meantime our focus is on your welfare, the smooth transition to the new operator(s) and the delivery of services for our customers.

What this announcement means is that the new private operator(s) are expected to take responsibility for operating Regions 7, 8 and 9 on behalf of the NSW Government in mid-2021.

It means the Government will no longer be responsible for operating any bus services in NSW. However, the Government will continue to own all buses and depots in Regions 7, 8, and 9 as well as regulate fares, timetables, routes and bus stops, and ensure strict safety and operational standards.

What this means for staff

The majority of State Transit Award staff will be guaranteed an offer of employment for two years with the new private operator(s) under the same award terms and conditions, including the transfer of accrued annual, sick and long service leave entitlements, recognition of service and continuity of superannuation entitlements. Some policies will also transfer across to the new operator(s) for three or six months.

Bus Operators and Maintenance Award Staff

All staff covered by the Bus Operations Award and the Engineering and Maintenance Award will be offered employment with the new private operator(s).

Senior and Salaried Officers Award staff

Staff covered by the Senior and Salaried Officers Award who are in operational roles will be offered employment with the new private operator(s).

There may be job opportunities for non-operational Senior and Salaried Officers Award staff with the new operator(s) but this is not guaranteed and will ultimately depend on their business needs.

Any roles the new operator(s) have that are comparable with State Transit roles will be identified and advertised through an Expression of Interest. Non-operational Senior and Salaried Officers Award staff who are offered a comparable role will also receive the transfer arrangements.

State Transit and Transport for NSW will work closely with non-operational staff to maximise their employment opportunities through redeployment within the Transport cluster or more broadly in the NSW Public Sector.

Staff briefings

Staff briefings will be held at every depot today. This gives staff a chance to ask any questions.

Regular updates will also be provided through our State Transit communication channels, including the new Blink staff app, Digital Depot, weekly CEO message and the intranet throughout the tender and transition process. As well, a dedicated website www.stayinformed.com.au/statetransit has been set up. You can also ask any questions and provide feedback via stayinformed@transport.nsw.gov.au.

I’d like to express my commitment to ensuring you all have the opportunity to ask any questions and stay informed throughout the tender and transition process. To keep our lines of communication open, there will be a team at every depot today to answer any specific questions you might have.

I appreciate this is, and will be, a difficult period for staff. Should you need it, please use the confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) on 1300 360 364.

Once again, I want to thank you all for the professionalism you bring to State Transit every day and encourage you to continue doing so as we work through this process.

Regards,

Steffen Faurby

CEO, State Transit

24/10/2019

Dear colleagues,

Today the NSW Government will announce that our bus Regions 7, 8 and 9 will be put out to competitive tender in early 2020 in order to franchise the remaining government-run bus services.

I understand many of you will be disappointed by the decision, but I can assure you it is not a reflection of the hard work, dedication and commitment I have seen day in, day out over the last two and a half years as CEO of State Transit.

It is a Government decision as the owner of State Transit to franchise the remaining regions. I too am saddened this journey has come to an end but accept the decision has been made. In the meantime our focus is on your welfare, the smooth transition to the new operator(s) and the delivery of services for our customers.

What this announcement means is that the new private operator(s) are expected to take responsibility for operating Regions 7, 8 and 9 on behalf of the NSW Government in mid-2021.

It means the Government will no longer be responsible for operating any bus services in NSW. However, the Government will continue to own all buses and depots in Regions 7, 8, and 9 as well as regulate fares, timetables, routes and bus stops, and ensure strict safety and operational standards.

What this means for staff

The majority of State Transit Award staff will be guaranteed an offer of employment for two years with the new private operator(s) under the same award terms and conditions, including the transfer of accrued annual, sick and long service leave entitlements, recognition of service and continuity of superannuation entitlements. Some policies will also transfer across to the new operator(s) for three or six months.

Bus Operators and Maintenance Award Staff

All staff covered by the Bus Operations Award and the Engineering and Maintenance Award will be offered employment with the new private operator(s).

Senior and Salaried Officers Award staff

Staff covered by the Senior and Salaried Officers Award who are in operational roles will be offered employment with the new private operator(s).

There may be job opportunities for non-operational Senior and Salaried Officers Award staff with the new operator(s) but this is not guaranteed and will ultimately depend on their business needs.

Any roles the new operator(s) have that are comparable with State Transit roles will be identified and advertised through an Expression of Interest. Non-operational Senior and Salaried Officers Award staff who are offered a comparable role will also receive the transfer arrangements.

State Transit and Transport for NSW will work closely with non-operational staff to maximise their employment opportunities through redeployment within the Transport cluster or more broadly in the NSW Public Sector.

Staff briefings

Staff briefings will be held at every depot today. This gives staff a chance to ask any questions.

Regular updates will also be provided through our State Transit communication channels, including the new Blink staff app, Digital Depot, weekly CEO message and the intranet throughout the tender and transition process. As well, a dedicated website www.stayinformed.com.au/statetransit has been set up. You can also ask any questions and provide feedback via stayinformed@transport.nsw.gov.au.

I’d like to express my commitment to ensuring you all have the opportunity to ask any questions and stay informed throughout the tender and transition process. To keep our lines of communication open, there will be a team at every depot today to answer any specific questions you might have.

I appreciate this is, and will be, a difficult period for staff. Should you need it, please use the confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) on 1300 360 364.

Once again, I want to thank you all for the professionalism you bring to State Transit every day and encourage you to continue doing so as we work through this process.

Regards,

Steffen Faurby

CEO, State Transit

Page last updated: 13 Jan 2020, 04:24 PM