Keolis Newcastle: Public transport on-time running exceeds 95%

For a rewarding career get behind the wheel in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

In Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Keolis has operated the ferry, bus and on-demand services since 2017, and the light rail since 2019.. This includes running special event shuttles for ANZAC Day, and special events in the city.. Running a public transport network relies heavily on a specialist workforce - including drivers, maintainers, schedulers, safety and customer teams - to keep services operating smoothly every day..

Keolis employs over 440 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie staff, many of whom have had long, successful careers in public transport delivery, starting out with the State Transit Authority and transitioning to Keolis in 2017.. Despite bus driver shortages and recent industrial action, performance remains strong, with on-time running exceeding 95 per cent over the last 13 months.. Service delivery was above 99.5 per cent prior to workforce shortages in 2022, recovered to 99.3 per cent between mid-2023 and early 2025..

With the ending of industrial action on bus services in April, customers can expect reliable and predictable travel with the return of real-time passenger information.. Keolis has boosted safety measures for drivers in response to social changes, by trialling larger safety screens, implementing de-escalation training and trialling a mobile security team that supports drivers 24/7.. Keolis is currently on a mission to attract and retain people who see bus driving as a long-term career opportunity..

Over the past eight years, the Hunter population has grown by around 10 per cent.. Combined with the impacts of COVID-19, this has had a significant impact on how the community uses transport, as well as service delivery needs.. As the city grows, Keolis continues to adapt..

Through the partnership with Transport for NSW and key stakeholders, including Newcastle City Council and the schools in the district, the goal is to strengthen services and meet the evolving needs of the community.. Anthony Carrall, 38, has always loved driving.. Prior to joining Keolis, he worked at Hope Estate as a Machinery Operator..

He loved working on vineyard harvests everywhere from Victoria to Western Australia.. Anthony says, "I'm really outdoorsy but as I've gotten older, I wanted something that was a bit easier on the body.. "I am loving driving and I love that I get to see the water every day, especially when I am driving down near Swansea and Warners Bay..

"No two days are ever the same, and about 90 per cent of the passengers thank you and are kind.. Even if you have a rough day out on the road, you can always have a laugh with people at the depot and that makes you feel better," he says.. Kathleen Lynch is celebrating 33 years in the industry this year and is the longest-serving female..

"I was transitioning into the army reserves when my friend suggested I get a job as a bus driver.. It was about 1993 when I started as a part-timer in Belmont," she says.. Kathleen absolutely loves her job..

"We have a great team.. It will be so hard to retire.. This job has given both me and my family such great opportunities," she says..

If you're looking for a rewarding career as a bus driver, based at Hamilton or Belmont, call 1800 929 003 or visit newcastletransport.info/contact-us/careers..