Labor has revealed that since the Liberals sold off the Inner West bus network it has never run on time – news that spells disaster as the Liberals start to sell-off Sydney’s remaining public bus services.

Analysis of Transport for NSW data shows that in the 15 months since Region 6 was privatised by the Liberals it has never run on time. The on time running has deteriorated dramatically, despite it being one of the key reasons given by the Liberals for the regions privatisation.

Despite the failure of Andrew Constance’s bus privatisation of region 6, Liberal Premier Gladys Berejiklian is pressing ahead with the privatisation of the final three bus regions – 7, 8 and 9, covering Parramatta, Ryde, Epping, the North Shore, Northern Beaches, the Eastern Suburbs and the City.

Labor Transport Shadow Minister, Chris Minns says the sell-off will mean services run late more often, leaving commuters in the lurch.

Labor has labelled the privatisation of Sydney’s bus network 7,8 and 9 a betrayal, after Liberal premier, Gladys Berejiklian promised during the NSW state election debate held on March 20 2019 Debate that she would privatise no further assets. When Ms Berejiklian was asked about more privatisations she said: “We’ve said no… and if we were, we would have told you upfront.”

Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen, State Member for Summer Hill

“Residents of the Inner West know that the privatisation of our bus services has only made our bus services worse.

“Minister Constance should be investing in our public transport system, not flogging it off.

“Selling off our public buses was a bad idea in the Inner West and is a bad idea across Sydney. The Inner West has experienced firsthand the horrible impacts of these decisions.”

Quotes attributable to Chris Minns MP, Shadow Minister for Transport

“This is a bad idea, that will hurt commuters. It will take you longer to get to the shops, longer to get to work and it could even mean that it takes the kids longer to get home after school.”

“The proof is in the pudding. This Government’s record on privatising buses is not working, they bungle the transition from the public sector to the private sector.”.

“Gladys Berejiklian and the Liberals have lied to NSW. The Liberals knew that if they went to an election privatising our buses they would have lost.”