NSW Labor extends Keolis contract despite almost 10 years of poor bus service
Transport for NSW extended Keolis Newcastle's contract to mid-2028, ignoring its own acknowledgment that bus services have not improved.
The NSW government announced Friday it would extend Keolis Newcastle's contract for bus, light rail and ferry services. The extension to mid-2028 comes despite Transport for NSW acknowledging the Newcastle bus network has failed to deliver improved services.
Almost a decade has passed since the contract began. Labor MPs Tim Crakanthorp and Sonia Hornery both represent Hunter seats and publicly opposed the decision.
Hornery said her community deserves better and promised to fight for the contract's end. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union also demanded the government commit to returning Newcastle's buses to public ownership by 2028.
The union cited widespread criticism of Keolis for poor timetable performance and high fare evasion.
- 2017-2028
- Contract years
- 1 year
- Extension length
- Bus, light rail, ferry
- Services covered
- Keolis Newcastle
- Government operator
Why it mattersNewcastle bus users have endured almost a decade of unreliable service under Keolis, and the extension delays any prospect of improvement for another year.
AustraliaNewcastle and Lower Hunter commuters and workers face another 12 months of a transport system their own government admits has failed them, with no guarantee of change beyond mid-2028.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
