Metro Tasmania is allowing political advertising on its buses to help lift its bottom line.
The public bus operator appeared at Government Business Enterprise hearings at State Parliament today.
The chief executive, Heather Haselgrove, says she recently got board permission to allow political advertising, to improve Metro's revenue.
The Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges features on the back of a Metro bus in Hobart.
Mr Sturges says the decision was made at arms-length from Government and was nothing to do with him.
"That decision was not taken by the Government, that decision was not taken by me, as the portfolio Minister."
"That decision was taken by the board of Metro, and I will let Metro, the Chairman of the Board, address this matter," he said.
Metro also told the hearing that safety and security on buses had improved.
Last financial year there were 18 assaults reported on drivers and passengers, almost half the number in the previous 12 months.
Mrs Haselgrove says security cameras and a stronger relationship with the police may have played a part.
"It's a huge improvement. Our drivers are also trained in how to deal with difficult passengers, how to defuse situations, so they don't antagonise it."
"Police can actually ban people from our buses so if we've got troublemakers that are just causing havoc, they get banned for a period of time," she said.
Bottom line
The Government has promised to make Metro more efficient.
Metro lost $150,000 last year and the company is replacing many of its buses.
The Government recently approved a 30 per cent increase in adult fares over the next five years but Mr Sturges says Metro is reviewing its services.
"As well as asking Metro to sharpen their commercial edge, and I will say that some policy changes will assist that, but they are certainly taking some direct action to do that."
Metro Tasmania says it is trying to broaden its appeal, despite rising fares.
Mrs Haselgrove says students and concession holders use Metro buses but it is doing market research to attract more passengers.
The public bus operator appeared at Government Business Enterprise hearings at State Parliament today.
The chief executive, Heather Haselgrove, says she recently got board permission to allow political advertising, to improve Metro's revenue.
The Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges features on the back of a Metro bus in Hobart.
Mr Sturges says the decision was made at arms-length from Government and was nothing to do with him.
"That decision was not taken by the Government, that decision was not taken by me, as the portfolio Minister."
"That decision was taken by the board of Metro, and I will let Metro, the Chairman of the Board, address this matter," he said.
Metro also told the hearing that safety and security on buses had improved.
Last financial year there were 18 assaults reported on drivers and passengers, almost half the number in the previous 12 months.
Mrs Haselgrove says security cameras and a stronger relationship with the police may have played a part.
"It's a huge improvement. Our drivers are also trained in how to deal with difficult passengers, how to defuse situations, so they don't antagonise it."
"Police can actually ban people from our buses so if we've got troublemakers that are just causing havoc, they get banned for a period of time," she said.
Bottom line
The Government has promised to make Metro more efficient.
Metro lost $150,000 last year and the company is replacing many of its buses.
The Government recently approved a 30 per cent increase in adult fares over the next five years but Mr Sturges says Metro is reviewing its services.
"As well as asking Metro to sharpen their commercial edge, and I will say that some policy changes will assist that, but they are certainly taking some direct action to do that."
Metro Tasmania says it is trying to broaden its appeal, despite rising fares.
Mrs Haselgrove says students and concession holders use Metro buses but it is doing market research to attract more passengers.
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