The new Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) executive director has wasted no time in getting his message across to the industry, calling for unity ahead of the May 3 federal election.
Speaking for the first time in his new role at the QBIC Conference, Varenya Mohan-Ram’s message was all about unity.
“I stand with you with a deep sense of responsibility in shaping the legacy of the industry into what it is today,” he told the crowd.
“We are meeting during a critical moment in time for the future of Australia as a whole, it’s time to reassess and unite.”
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Mohan-Ram said unity and a shared purpose for all providing transport services throughout Australia will be critical to fixing industry issues and getting the bus sector’s voice heard in government.
“We’ve survived storms such as regulatory changes, rising fuel prices many more. In this election year, unity is more important than ever,” he said.
“It’s essential that we speak with just the one voice. We’re not a collection of disparate parts. Operators are the heart of the industry and we thank you for your tireless work, while our suppliers continue to overcome challenges.
“Combined, the future of our industry will thrive if we collaborate.”
He said the future of the bus industry relies on uniting under one voice while continuing to remain interdependent around the nation.
Without operators, suppliers have no market, while operators have no vehicle technology without suppliers. It’s this interconnection that Mohan-Ram wants the industry to lean on so that the Australian bus industry can have its voice heard alongside other competing industries.
“The road freight industry receives a lot of airtime at political level, so we need to use these connections to get the bus sector on the same standing,” he said.
“We have a chance to get our voices heard now, so do it and don’t wait until after the election.”
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