Union blames tight schedules, traffic for speeding bus drivers as data shows rise in infringements

Tight bus schedules and traffic congestion are putting pressure on Transperth drivers to speed, the transport union claimed as new figures showed fines climbing by almost 25 per cent last financial year. Data released by the Public Transport Authority showed bus drivers were issued 293 traffic infringements between July 2023 and June last year, a sharp increase on the previous financial year. Drivers eager to get to the next stop copped 208 speeding fines — up from 170 the year before. Another 75 drivers were fined for running a red light. A further 10 were fined for “driving contrary to traffic markings at an intersection”. Transport Workers Union WA secretary Tim Dawson said drivers feel pressure to speed to meet tough schedule demands, set by bus companies and the PTA. “We continue to tell them that they don’t need to, break the law or speed, because it’s not their problem if they don’t meet the timing,” Mr Dawson said. “Human nature is, unfortunately, in some of these cases, is they just feel obliged. They’ve got to make time up, even if they’re told not to by different people. “A lot is just the way people are, you know, they are conscientious about the job they do, and they want to meet the times and to pick their passengers up, amid extra traffic.” Mr Dawson called for a review of the tight turnarounds for drivers, especially at end of routes. “In some of them circumstances, the government and the Department of Transport needs to maybe revisit some of their rostering time (and) timetables. “Our advice to (drivers) is it is not their problem if it’s a tight schedule, they should not speed. “No matter what pressure they’re on, they shouldn’t. It’s not their responsibility to speed to run on a timely schedule. “It’s up to the department to set schedules . . . not a bus driver to speed the beat them.” A PTA spokeswoman said there had been a record number of bus service kilometres in the past financial year, due replacement routes along the shutdown Armadale rail line. “Our priority is ensuring passengers, as well as drivers, travel safely on all PTA services,” she said. “The PTA and its contracted bus operators do not condone any traffic offences occurring on its bus services, and any infringements issued to bus drivers can lead to internal disciplinary action by the bus operator. “In recent years, there has been improved driver training with bus depots implementing key performance targets to encourage good driver behaviour, as well as using telematics on buses to identify drivers who speed, accelerate harshly or stop harshly.” Bus drivers who are fined for road offences are responsible for paying the fines themselves. They also incur any demerit points on their personal driver’s licences.