Swan Transit teams across Western Australia have traded uniforms for costumes, raising more than $12,000 for children’s charity Radio Lollipop in a network-wide show of community support.
The annual Uniform Free Day saw bus drivers, depot staff and operational teams swap standard workwear for colourful outfits, helping generate $12,635.90 for programs supporting children in hospital.
For the bus industry, the initiative highlights the broader role operators play beyond service delivery, with frontline staff often embedded in the communities they serve.
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Uniform Free Day has become a long-standing tradition across the Transperth network, encouraging staff to contribute through fundraising and participation, while maintaining normal service operations.
The funds raised support Radio Lollipop’s work across Western Australian hospitals, where trained volunteers provide entertainment and emotional support to children and families during hospital stays.
The organisation’s programs focus on play, connection and engagement, delivered through bedside visits, play areas and dedicated hospital radio services.
Across Swan Transit depots, fundraising activities ranged from morning teas and BBQs to on-board donation tins and informal games, with teams contributing throughout their shifts.
The initiative reflects a growing emphasis within the bus sector on community engagement, where operators are increasingly positioning themselves as active contributors to social outcomes, not just transport providers.
For staff, the day also reinforces workplace culture, bringing teams together across depots and shifts while supporting a shared cause.
The continued support for Radio Lollipop, which spans more than three decades across the public transport network, demonstrates the consistency of these community partnerships.
While the industry’s operational focus remains on safety, reliability and service delivery, initiatives like Uniform Free Day show how bus networks can also deliver broader value at the local level.
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