NSW: Sydney roads running smoothly despite bus strike

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2009
NSW: Sydney roads running smoothly despite bus strike

SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - Despite hundreds of thousands of commuters having to find alternative
means of transport due to striking bus drivers, Sydney's roads continue to run "smoothly",
authorities say.

Bus drivers in Sydney and Newcastle began a 24-hour strike at 4am (AEDT) on Friday,
following demands from the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) for a pay rise without loss
of conditions.

Well into the morning peak period, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Transport's Transport
Coordination Group said "there were no real problems".

"All is running quite smoothly," the spokeswoman told AAP about 8.30am (AEDT) Friday.

"Traffic on the (Sydney Harbour) bridge is heavy but that's normal and if anything,
it's even a bit lighter than usual for a Friday."

The spokeswoman reminded commuters that parking was available at Moore Park and free
shuttle services would run from there to Central station during the morning and afternoon
peak periods.

State Transit bus tickets will be recognised on CityRail train services and Sydney
Ferries during the strike and drivers will be allowed to use bus lanes.

In the lead-up to the morning peak, the NSW Taxi Council called for patience as many
of the 600,000 effected commuters were expected to turn to taxis to get to and from work
and school.

"We have every available car on the road and will work to get as many people as possible
to work on time - but passengers should remember the bus strike is not our fault, the
resulting traffic jams which slow us down are not our fault, and there are hundreds of
thousands of people trying to get to the office by 9am," council CEO Howard Harrison said
in a statement.

Bus drivers have met to consider a government offer of wage increases of three per
cent backdated from June 12 this year, and a further three per cent from June 12 next
year.

An Industrial Relations Commission conference has been scheduled for noon (AEDT) on Friday.

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KEYWORD: BUSES UPDATE

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