00:00 When it comes to public transport, nearly half of the state's commuters opt for a bus.
00:07 Although it doesn't necessarily mean they're happy with the service.
00:11 In the app it was showing that it's going to be here pretty soon but it didn't turn
00:14 up.
00:15 It's quite okay at some times but it just needs maybe a little bit more improvement
00:19 with the timing.
00:20 It's a system that a government appointed task force has found is riddled with problems.
00:25 We don't want to be a third world international city when it comes to bus transport.
00:30 So there's a lot of work to do.
00:32 A key factor in just about all the issues is a shortage of drivers.
00:36 While the focus has been on Sydney's new metro services, buses have become the poor cousin.
00:42 They do nearly half the work and get one fiftieth of the funding.
00:47 The report calls for more staff and a boost in funding.
00:51 We have accepted in principle all seven recommendations of this report and I have asked Transport
00:57 for NSW to develop a plan to implement them.
01:02 Just how much money will be needed to bring bus services up to scratch is unclear.
01:06 The government's working through the details of its upcoming budget and it'll be under
01:11 pressure to find new solutions to the perennial problem.
01:14 The opposition says the money used for the task force could have been better spent recruiting
01:19 drivers.
01:20 Our taxpayer dollars have been spent, $440,000 for a part time job for someone who lives
01:26 in Queensland to tell us that there are not enough bus drivers.
01:30 It's just embarrassing.
01:31 The task force will deliver a second report in October.
01:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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