In an exclusive with ABC, Australasian bus and coach operator Kinetic has announced it is discontinuing its commercial charter operations in Sydney.
After chatting to 2GB in Sydney last week, Kinetic Australia managing director Matt Campbell clarified that Kinetic would be shutting its commercial charter operations in Sydney and not its entire operation in the state, with its government-contracted passenger services in the region remaining unchanged.
“We are in consultation with employees in Sydney regarding our commercial charter operations, formerly known as Telfords,” Campbell told ABC.
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“We have informed employees of our intention to discontinue this operation to focus on current and future government contracted public transport services in New South Wales.
“This has been a difficult but strategic decision, and we don’t underestimate the impact it has had on our team.”
Kinetic says the commercial charter operations have been based out of a leased depot in Turrella, with the lease expiring in November.
Facing a significant (50 per cent) rental increase, Kinetic decided the entirely commercial business wasn’t sustainable, with the operator informing its customers in the Sydney market of the change and working to fulfil current privately contracted agreements.
Kinetic continues to operate government-contracted regional bus services in the Tweed Coast region in northern NSW.
On 2GB, NSW Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) secretary Richard Olsen said the supposed 110 drivers made redundant at Kinetic could be used for rail replacement services along the Bankstown line.
“They are going to offer all drivers opportunities to go to U-Go Mobility to drive buses instead of coaches,” Olsen said.
“Some have taken opportunities, others won’t and will follow work. Those contracts will be picked up by other coachlines.
“Unfortunately Kinetic is leaving the NSW commercial charter scene but it very much remains part of the bus industry and owns 50 per cent of U-Go Mobility through the Go-Ahead Group.”
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