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Tasmania transport minister tight-lipped over Metro privatisation

The minister also discussed issues surrounding driver shortages in the state, patronage, and delays in installing safety measures for drivers
tasmania
Image: Metro Tasmania

Tasmania transport minister Eric Abetz has avoided answering questions retaining to the possible privatisation of public transport operator Metro Tasmania during numerous meetings throughout the week.

In response to questions from Labor MP Meg Brown, he declined to commit to rule privatisation in or out, instead saying he was focused on delivering the best service possible.

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“Suffice to say that it is something that I think is always worthwhile: considering to see how best you can deliver services to the public at the best possible benefit for the consumer and for the taxpayer,” he says.
“I think it’s good and appropriate that governments do reflect and then come to a conclusion at that stage, that’s all we’re doing, we’re reflecting on the best possible approach.
“Look, these are the games that people play … especially in opposition and I’ve been there as well, Ms Brown.
“I know the games that are played because you want to get the government on the sticky paper.
“I’m not going to do that subject, suffice to say that we will consider what is within the best interests of the people of Tasmania.”

Abetz deferred Brown’s line of questioning over 17 times to the Metro Government Business Enterprise (GEB) meetings.

Metro Tasmania’s patronage was also called to question in the meetings, with a decline in bus ridership in both Hobart and Launceston despite slashed fares.

“Certainty and reliability of service is the most important factor from all studies of public transport. Price factors aren’t all that great,” Abetz says.

“In Burnie, there’s been an uplift [in passengers numbers since the introduction of half-price fares] but not in the Launceston and Hobart areas.

“So it’ll be interesting if we ever can find out why it is in Burnie but not in the other two areas.”

Metro Tasmania has attributed the consistent drop in numbers to passengers being dissuaded due to unreliable schedules.

Around 177 services across Hobart have been indefinitely suspended since August 2023 due to a shortage of drivers.

“The temporary service adjustment that was installed was because of the driver shortage. I know we all don’t want to hear it, but that’s actually the reality of it,” Metro Tasmania CEO Katie Cooper said during the GEB meeting.

Cooper says Metro Tasmania has taken numerous actions to combat the growing issue, including recruitment campaigns, advertising and modifying training programs.

“Metro, at no stage took delight in reducing the number of routes that were covered and was very mindful of the fact that they should be restored as quickly as possible, hence the recruitment drive,” Abetz says. 
“You can be assured that myself but, more importantly, the board and the management have been looking to get as many drivers as possible and fill that void.”
Many in the transport industry have also voiced concerns around the safety of drivers, with violence against bus drivers on the rise in the state.
Evening services to a Hobart suburb had been suspended after a spate of recurring incidents that placed drivers and passengers in danger, and the operator had been looking into introducing safety screens and other measures.
There has been a delay in the rollout of these measures.
“Metro developed a number of prototypes in varying designs as a result of driver feedback, including a perspex design, a mesh design and a toughened glass full-screen design,” Abetz says.
Cooper says Metro are ‘very close’ to the finalised prototype.

There is a very strong desire and a level of urgency we’re trying to resolve, but at the same time we don’t want to do it and then create further problems.

“The team have been really active and I’m really proud of the work they’ve done to try to find the right solution,” she says.

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