Inner west residents will meet at a fiery town hall meeting next Thursday to oppose the Government’s decision to privatise inner west bus services.

The meeting, hosted by inner west State MPs, will give the community an opportunity for residents to ask local bus drivers about the challenges they face while driving inner west routes.

Since announcing last month that Region 6 services would be franchised, the Minister for Transport has repeatedly said that inner west residents are happy to see the services privatised.

Over a thousand people have signed the parliamentary petition calling on the Government to abandon its privatisation plans.

Comments attributable to Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill:

“Residents know that privatising bus services will threaten jobs, routes and higher fares.

“The Minister has said inner west residents want the sell-off, but this meeting sends a strong message that the inner west is united against bus privatisation.

“Selling off public buses won’t fix delays caused by congestion and poor time-tabling. Join us at the meeting and join the campaign.”

Comments attributable to Sophie Cotsis, Member for Canterbury:

“The community is up in arms about this short-sighted decision.

“Bus drivers do it tough and the Minister’s decision threatens the livelihoods of hardworking local families.

“People want to hear from public bus drivers on the issue and want to show their support.

“I am looking forward to seeing local residents furious about the franchising of buses at the meeting.”