18 October 2005

TWU calls for inquiry into ACTION Bus radio system

| Samuel Gordon-Stewart
Join the conversation
4

I can’t find a link, but the transport workers union are calling for a workcover inquiry into the radio system used by ACTION Buses. The call comes after a driver was attacked whilst trying to help a passenger who was being attacked, and the radio system was “suffering technical difficulties”.

This isn’t the first time that the radio system has failed miserably, and if left in its current state it won’t be the last. This radio system is a joke, often suffering from bizarre faults and malfunctions which either cause it to beep at the driver constantly, or make it impossible to use. ACTION have resorted to handing out mobile phones to Flexibus drivers in an effort to keep them safe, but that doesn’t provide the convenience of the panic button, which exists with the current radio system but usually doesn’t work. The main difference is that the panic button can be pressed without the offender ever knowing, whilst a mobile phone is pretty obvious.

According to some drivers that I have spoken to, there was a police car at the other end of the road in the latest incident that would have been able to respond if the radio system had worked, but obviously it didn’t work, and the driver was left with injuries, and the offenders got away.

Can anyone explain to me why ActewAGL are responsible for the radio system that ACTION use, and why every time there is an incident ACTION claim that ActewAGL were performing maintenance or there was some kind of technical problem? Why can’t ACTION install a decent radio system…Deanes appear to have managed it…why not ACTION?

Join the conversation

4
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
Samuel Gordon-Stewart4:54 pm 20 Oct 05

They are bicycle racks. ACTION were planning on implementing them at one stage, but they make the bus exceed it’s legal length and will therefore not be used.

Can anyone tell me what the fluro nudge bar type contraptions are on the front of buses? I have only noticed these recently..

Sounds like they outsourced the problem to the same company that maintains all the fixed cameras around Canberra.

It’s about time the beaurecratic executives of a few departments got hauled over the coals over some public spending that has turned into the proverbial…

I think that part of the $6 million for real time bus tracking that everyone here was so against is going to upgrading the radio network, as it’ll have to also carry data in the future.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.