Union forces State Transit to install signage on slow bendy buses

STA has written to the RTBU committing to put signage in place on the inside and outside of buses by COB Friday that explains the speed limits recently imposed on bendy buses.

As you will be aware, STA imposed a 50km/h speed limit on approximately 150 three-door Volvo bendy buses – mainly metro buses – after Volvo notified them of a fault with a diode in the bus turntable.

Although the RTBU was assured that the fault is of no risk to driver or passenger safety, drivers have since expressed concern about the risk a lack of awareness of the speed limit poses on Sydney roads.

Drivers have reported difficulty in merging traffic and worry about sticking to a 50 km/h speed limit on roads such as the Warringah freeway where speed limits are significantly higher.

We have been monitoring any flow on safety impacts and took these concerns straight to STA management.

The union requested immediate action from STA to better inform the public about the issue.

Unfortunately STA ignored this request, refusing to take the issue seriously and forcing the union to lodge a complaint in the Industrial Relation Commission.

Only then did STA move to properly address the legitimate concerns of drivers and ensure the safety of bus drivers, passengers and the drivers of other vehicles on our roads.

The union is pleased to see this matter finally resolved and will be keeping a close eye on STA to ensure the promised signage is in place as promised by Friday.