Bus commuters left confused as dispute ramps up

Adelaide bus commuters have been left confused with drivers refusing to collect fares as part of an industrial dispute, but inspectors have flooded services and warned commuters to pay up.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) said drivers in the union would not collect fares indefinitely from today on services provided by Southlink and Transfield.

Fare evaders were initially threatened with fines in excess of $200, but Transport Services Minister Chloe Fox later said passengers would not be punished.

“Understanding that this confusion is going on, no one is going to get pinged for not paying,” she said this morning.

But inspectors soon swooped on services to make sure passengers had valid tickets.

The government said no one has been fined.

The TWU said drivers will continue refusing fares indefinitely.

“This will be going on tomorrow, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, until we actually pull the action,” Ian Gonsalves from the Transport Workers’ Union said.

The union wants a five per cent pay increase while the companies have offered 2.8 per cent.

They also want improved safety measures for drivers, such as on-board security staff and changes to broken shifts.

On Sunday, drivers plan on walking off the job altogether between 10am and 2pm.