Region 9 Tender opens

State Transit’s final contract is out for competitive tender with private operators invited to bid for Region 9, the Eastern Region, which includes operating services from Port Botany, Randwick and Waverley depots.

While State Transit is not involved in finding the new operator, we are working closely with Transport for NSW to ensure our people are supported throughout the process.

“We expect the contract in Region 9 will be awarded in November 2021 with the new operator to take over running of these services in April 2022,” said Daniela Fontana, State Transit CEO.

“With the two-year employment guarantee for operational staff, our people at Port Botany, Randwick and Waverley depots are guaranteed a job on the same award terms and conditions they have today until early 2024.”

The opening of the Region 9 tender follows Region 8 and Region 7 contracts going to tender in June and August, respectively. The Region 8 tender closed in September and Region 7 tender will close in December. The tender period for Region 9 will close in April 2021. No decision has been made on who the new operator is for any of our three contracted regions.

In making a transition to private operators, the NSW Government will continue to:

• own State Transit buses and all other assets such as depots;

• regulate timetables, safety, and service priorities; and

• set fares as they are today, under the Opal system.

Career assistance continues to be provided for all non-operational people who are not guaranteed employment with an incoming operator. Briefings, training and career advice will be offered until transition.

We appreciate that, for some staff, the change may be cause some uncertainty, however, we have resources available if you need support, such as:

• a variety of health, wellbeing and financial wellness resources available on the Benehub portal

• your depot’s Mental Health First Aider for onsite support

• access to our EAP (1300 360 364) if you need to talk to someone outside of the workplace, which includes managers that may need assistance with a work problem

• speaking with your one-up manager if you have any concerns about members of the team, and

• your People and Culture Business Partner or Organisational Development Team.

A number of questions have been asked about the transition since it was announced, with Transition Advisory Desks at depots proving popular. You can find a summary of the topics covered in these sessions on this site together with frequently asked questions. Transition Advisory Desks will be held across all Region 9 depots soon.

If you have a question you can’t find an answer to, please speak with your manager, contact the People and Culture team via stayinformed@sta.nsw.gov.au, or submit your query into one of the transition feedback boxes located at all depots.