Hamilton bus dispute update

Environment Waikato says it is disappointed Go Bus and locked out union member drivers have still been unable to agree to more face-to-face pay talks (as at 4.30pm Monday).

Go Bus is continuing to lock out drivers who are members of the Northern Distribution Workers Union following a strike last Friday.

The lock out from Saturday was introduced because drivers were threatening not to collect cash fares. The company has continued with the lockout even though drivers subsequently withdrew that threat. Go Bus has said it did not feel it could lift the lock out until the dispute was settled, although it was constantly considering whether this position would change.

The lock out means normal services have again been disrupted today and will be so for the foreseeable future.

“We are disappointed the situation has reached an impasse,” said EW’s land transport operations manager Bevan Dale.

“I have today been strongly encouraging Go Bus and the company to get back into face-to-face talks. We would prefer to see a full service resume promptly while discussions continue.”

The current restricted weekday service means peak hour Direct services between the central city and Dinsdale, Pukete and Rototuna are not due to operate. Other week day peak hour services are due to operate normally between 6am and 9.30am, and from 3.30pm to 7pm.

Off-peak week day services between 9.30am and 3.30pm are due to run hourly, instead of the normal half-hourly service.

Also, Orbiter and CBD Shuttle services are to be less frequent.

All weekday services will finish at 7pm – normally buses would finish much later in the evening.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise the public of any new travel-related information that comes to hand,” said Mr Dale.

For more information on bus times during the dispute visit www.busit.co.nz, call 0800 4 BUSLINE, or ask at the Transport Centre on the corner of Bryce and Anglesea Streets.