Miles Government accelerates bus driver wages

• The Miles Government will deliver a funding package to improve bus driver wages across Queensland.
• Funding will ease cost-of-living pressures on drivers and assist in attracting and retaining drivers.
• Funding will be available to South East Queensland (SEQ) and Regional Urban bus drivers working for Translink-contracted delivery partners.

The Miles Government will provide a funding package to boost the wages of bus drivers across the state.

While Translink does not directly employ bus drivers, the Miles Government’s funding package will assist delivery partners in improving the conditions of their drivers.

The funding package will uplift bus driver wages to a parity of $35 per hour over the coming years. 

The funding package will focus on the amount drivers are paid by realigning the wage rates across Translink-contracted delivery partners.

It will assist in easing the cost-of-living pressures they face, as well as helping to alleviate bus driver shortage issues by improving the attraction and retention of drivers.

SEQ and Regional Urban bus drivers, working for Translink-contracted delivery partners, will be eligible for the wage boost.

The Miles Government has taken a number of steps to improve the conditions of drivers, including the installation of safety barriers and the rollout of more Network Officers across the state and this is the latest initiative where we have led the way to make the workplace better for drivers.

Funding will be released on the condition that operators uphold the highest workplace health and safety standards, a commitment to genuine consultation on workplace matters, committing to holding tri-partite forums to engage the workforce and a commitment to workers accessing representation.

Translink will work with its individual delivery partners to distribute the funding.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services Bart Mellish:

“Reliable and efficient public transport services are essential for connecting communities and regions across Queensland.

“Higher bus driver wages can help attract skilled professionals to the industry and retain the excellent drivers we already have, resulting in improved service quality, ultimately benefiting residents and businesses.

“Bus drivers are essential frontline workers who provide crucial public transport services and they helped keep public transport running through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“By improving their wages, the government is acknowledging the importance of bus drivers and shows a commitment to supporting the role these services play in connecting communities.

“The Miles Government knows the impacts cost of living pressures are having throughout the state and if there is an opportunity for us to help ease those pressures for bus drivers, then we will take that opportunity.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment Jennifer Howard:

 “We’re investing in our bus drivers, because we recognise the important work they do each and every day.

“We want the best people for the job, which is why we’re boosting wages across the state to bring in the very best.

“The Miles Government is investing in a world-class public transport network, one that our growing state needs.”

Quotes attributable to Kinetic Executive General Manager, SEQ and North Queensland, Martin Hall:

“Kinetic welcomes this funding towards better wages for bus drivers and will move to pass on increases as quickly as possible.

“It is recognition of the important work bus drivers do every day and will support both recruitment and retention of highly skilled drivers in the industry. This is particularly important as we continue to diversify our workforce and grow the number of women in the industry.

“It is also an important investment in public transport by the Queensland Government as we move towards the 2032 Olympic Games.

“As our cities grow and become more densely populated, we need to continue to encourage people to use public transport and this is a direct investment in a more sustainable future.”

Quotes attributable to Transport Workers Union Queensland Director of Organising, Josh Millroy:

“This is excellent news not only for the bus drivers delivering the service, but also for the users of public transport who have felt the impacts of driver shortages.

“Our members have been fighting to have their voices heard and we are extremely proud that the Miles Government has listened and is now putting solutions into action.

“This is a much-needed pay boost that will be welcomed by bus drivers and will improve the sustainability of the public transport network into the future.”

ENDS

Media contact: James Kleeman - 0466 620 176