As the potential for a growing Tasmanian bus network still hangs in the air, TasBus broke down the current industry issues for the apple isle at its annual conference on Saturday
In a moving period for the Tasmanian bus and coach industry, the TasBus’s annual conference last weekend came at an intriguing time.
While debates still rage about the plans for a new Hobart stadium and subsequent rapid bus transit network, TasBus’s conference kicked off on Saturday, looking at all of the big issues.
Tasmanian deputy premier and transport minister Michael Ferguson opened the day by discussing government initiatives, while CEO of Tourism Tasmania Sarah Clark elaborated on the potential that the bus network has in the state’s tourism industry, especially if the stadium plan goes ahead.
Following this interesting opening was shadow transport minister Josh Willie, while Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) chief executive Roz Chivers broke down what is happening at a national level for the peak body to catch the Tasmanian industry up to speed.
In the second session, staff recruitment and retention became a key topic to mirror other state conferences, with Steadfast Statewide’s Josh Clutterbuck opening the session.
Searson Buck CEO Nick Prokopiec then went deeper into the recruitment and retention burning question, before the transport division of Tasmania’s Department of State Growth presented on emergency planning.
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Before morning tea, Worksafe Tasmania finished the operator-based session by discussing what makes for a safe workplace in the bus and coach industry.
In a jam-packed session before lunch, national industrial relations manager at APTIA Ian Macdonald gave the lowdown on IR changes, before Metro Tasmania CEO Katie Cooper opened a panel on anti-social behaviour and the consequences it has on everyone in the industry.
Cooper was joined by the likes of outgoing QBIC executive director David Tape and Wells Wagons managing director Kimbra Wells, before RACT’s CCO Gary Bailey finished by also discussing how industries can transform.
After lunch, a networking session was held at Frogmore Creek Wines before the annual dinner wrapped up a milestone day for TasBus and the state’s bus industry.