The peak body for public school parents in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is airing concerns over violence against bus drivers after Transport Canberra drivers took unprotected industrial action on Friday, November 15.
It was revealed on Friday that Transport Canberra’s bus services remained off the road for the day due to unprotected industrial action by the drivers, with light rail and special needs transport services running as normal.
The services returned to normal the next day, with Transport Canberra entering into discussions with the Transport Workers’ Union to reduce the impact of occupational violence on drivers.
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Following this, the ACT Council of P&C Associations says it’s “really disappointed” to see school students taking the blame for violence against bus drivers, which it says is a broader community issue.
“Parents are trusting Transport Canberra to get their children to school,” ACT Council of P&C Associations Executive Officer Veronica Elliott says.
“Our students are vulnerable transport users and leaving families without notice to make alternative arrangements has caused unnecessary hardship and anxiety, particularly as many high school and college students are sitting exams today.”
The Council says Canberra parents are very appreciative of the essential service bus drivers provide and fully support the right to a safe workplace, however the cancellations have highlighted a significant need for more notice of disruptions to ensure student safety and continuity of transport.
With some parents not receiving the notification in time, or at all, students were left to navigate the sudden lack of service without the necessary skills or resources to arrange alternatives. The lack of timely information affected parents’ ability to secure safe transportation for their children, creating additional pressure for families and students.
“Occupational violence is unacceptable, and our bus drivers deserve a safe work environment,” Elliott says.
“However, it is equally unacceptable for students to be left stranded without adequate time to make other arrangements. With more notice, parents could have prepared for this disruption and ensured their children’s safe arrival at school.”
The ACT Council of P&C Associations urges Transport Canberra to develop constructive strategies to respond to and prioritise the safety and well-being of both drivers and students.
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