South Auckland bus drivers offer free rides to protest low wages

Friday, 1 November 2019

Fare dodging is less of a problem than Auckland Transport originally thought, with transport officers issuing an average of two tickets each over the course of a month.

A band of bus drivers are letting passengers ride for free in a bid to increase their pay.

Sixty drivers, employed by the transport company Go Bus, have refused to collect fares from October 23.

The drivers operate from the East Tamaki and Manukau bus depots in south Auckland. Three union delegates have been suspended since the strike began.

Sixty Go Bus drivers are refusing to collect fares from passengers (file photo).

Bus driver and FIRST Union delegate Simon Moetara, 64, was suspended without pay two weeks ago.

* Buses cancelled on Auckland's North Shore after drivers' protest**

'It’s a tough job and we have to put up with a lot while working long hours. I think the bus drivers deserve to see more of a reward for all the hard work we do,' he said.

'I have to support my daughter and it’s been really difficult putting food on the table since the suspension.'

The drivers are calling for a 14 per cent pay increase over the next two years, raising their hourly pay to $25.

Go Bus spokeswoman Kura Poulava said all drivers caught participating in the strike will be suspended.

'As evidence is produced confirming that drivers are not collecting fares we will suspend them as the safety of our people is paramount and this behaviour is in breach of our contractual obligations with Auckland Transport,' she said.

'If customers expect to get free fares and don't, there could be a safety issue.'

According to Poulava, the costs of the strike have been minimal.

The strike follows similar action earlier this year, when drivers employed by NZ Bus refused to work in an unsuccessful bid for better pay.