NSW: Three bus companies sign onto government contracts

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2005
NSW: Three bus companies sign onto government contracts

Three Sydney bus companies have signed bus reform contracts with the New South Wales
government, ending months of negotiations punctuated by lock-outs and strike threats.

New South Wales Transport Minister JOHN WATKINS has labelled the move a major step forward.

Mr WATKINS says negotiations are continuing in the remaining eleven contract regions.

The Bus and Coach Association has been negotiating the new seven-year contracts to
deliver $1 billion worth of services to areas not covered by public buses.

The New South Wales government says the new contracts are part of its bus reform plans
aimed at reinforcing the financial viability of the industry, with fairer bus fares and
better safety procedures.

AAP RTV smb/nf/low/rt

KEYWORD: BUS (SYDNEY)

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