NSW: Paper claims NSW train drivers idle

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2004
NSW: Paper claims NSW train drivers idle

A newspaper says New South Wales Sydney train drivers spend up to five hours a day
doing nothing as a result of an inefficient rostering system.

The news comes after a train crisis crippled Sydney's transport challenges claims by
rail management and the union that there are not enough drivers.

Sydney train drivers are now required to have stringent medical test and new training
in the wake of the Waterfall crash.

The Sunday Telegraph says it has obtained documents which reveal many drivers spend
half their working days playing cards, reading books or taking unscheduled meal breaks.

The article says in one instance a driver was paid for seven-and-a-half hours work
but only drove for one hour and seven minutes.

The drivers blame inefficient rostering and say they would be happy to work harder.

But the paper says they admitd to earning large amounts in overtime, some of it spent
waiting, doing nothing.

The state government this week smoothed out a week of train cancellations by giving
drivers up to $400-a-month bonus payment for working longer hours.

AAP RTV ved/wz

KEYWORD: TRAINS DRIVERS (SYDNEY)

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