Newcastle Transport Celebrates Fathers Day and Reflects on Public Transport’s Journey

31 August 2024

Newcastle Transport, under the operation of Keolis Downer, recently shared a heartwarming video on Facebook in celebration of Father’s Day. The video featured several public transport drivers, all of whom are proud fathers, offering words of wisdom not just for their children but for the broader community.

Among the pieces of advice shared were:

An enthusiastic “Go the Knights!” followed by laughter, reflecting the local passion for Newcastle’s NRL team.
“Don’t sweat over the small stuff. You always need to tell your children that you love them and always hug them. Always.”
“Don’t get jealous of others. You don’t have to have the biggest house on the street or anything like that. If you want to travel, travel. So I say, follow your dreams and make sure your family is your rock, your foundation. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
“Be kind to your mother.”
“Live in the now and enjoy every moment you can with your kids.”

The History of Newcastle’s Public Transport

The story behind Newcastle Transport, now run by Keolis Downer, is one of significant change in the region’s public transport history. In July 2017, the New South Wales Government made the decision to outsource the operation of Newcastle’s public transport services, which include buses, ferries, and light rail, to a private consortium led by Keolis Downer.

Keolis Downer is a joint venture between Keolis, a French public transport operator, and Downer Group, an Australian company with a broad range of services in the infrastructure, mining, and energy sectors. This partnership brought together international expertise and local knowledge to manage and operate public transport services in Newcastle.

The decision to privatise these services was met with mixed reactions. The NSW Government argued that outsourcing would lead to improved efficiency, better service delivery, and innovation in the transport sector. Keolis Downer introduced new technologies and service improvements, including the integration of buses, ferries, and the new light rail network under the unified banner of Newcastle Transport.

This transition marked the first time a private operator managed an integrated public transport network in Newcastle.