NSW: Taxi drivers call for patience during bus strike

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2009
NSW: Taxi drivers call for patience during bus strike

SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - Taxi drivers are pleading for patience from passengers as hundreds
of thousands of Sydney commuters left stranded during a bus strike turn to alternative
transport.

Bus drivers in Sydney and Newcastle began a 24-hour strike at 4am (AEDT) on Friday,
following demands from the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) for a pay rise without loss
of conditions.

As the morning peak approached on Friday, the NSW Taxi Council called for patience.

"Taxis were never designed to be mass transport providers, but today we have been placed
in that position as 600,000 commuters are forced to find an alternative means of getting
to work," council CEO Howard Harrison said in a statement.

"We have every available car on the road and will work to get as many people as possible
to work on time - but passengers should remember the bus strike is not our fault, the
resulting traffic jams which slow us down are not our fault, and there are hundreds of
thousands of people trying to get to the office by 9am."

To help taxi drivers deliver the most efficient service, Mr Harrison has asked passengers
to pre-book where possible and allow multiple hiring.

"This is a stressful time of the year for everyone. Patience and courtesy would be
appreciated when booking or riding in a taxi, and we ask that expectations are kept realistic,"

Mr Harrison said.

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