Mildura coach service says COVID-19 is devastating industry

THE operator of a coach service between Mildura and Adelaide says the bus and coach industry is in turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic and many will not survive without government assistance.

Tambray Coaches proprietor Anthony Prowse said while state and federal governments had issued a $715 million bailout package to airlines, the industry that transports domestic and international travellers to and from airports had been forgotten.

Mr Prowse said he had written to Member for Mildura Ali Cupper highlighting the “devastating” impact COVID-19 was having on the bus and coach industry.

He said Tambray Coaches’ Mildura to Adelaide route, which operates a return service three days a week, was among those companies feeling the effects of falling demand.

“With only a few interstate passenger express operators such as myself, we are struggling to continue to maintain scheduled services with dwindling passenger numbers,” Mr Prowse said.

“Myself and other interstate/intrastate operators must be able to continue to provide this vital service for those that still wish to travel.

“Currently companies throughout Victoria and nationally are laying of staff, deregistering their fleet of vehicles and lowering their insurance coverage on the fleet and in some case ceasing to operate completely.

“Staff are being forced to take leave if they have it — companies still need to pay these staff members — and all casual staff are being laid off for an indefinite period of time.”

Mr Prowse said the Mildura to Adelaide service, which he established in 2017, offered a cheap alternative for people who could not afford to fly and was used by people travelling for medical appointments, holidays, interstate connections and backpackers.

However, he said that with few people travelling and groups including schools and senior citizens cancelling planned outings, external help was needed to keep the industry afloat.

“The state and federal governments instruct schools to cease all outside school activities and the bus and coach industry that would transport these students normally are totally forgotten about,” he said.

“As an industry we are feeling somewhat betrayed by both the state and federal government.

“If the bus and coach operators throughout Victoria and Australia don’t get some assistance soon, not enough bus and coach operators survive to provide the transport needs of the tourist industry, schools and the public transport sector not only in Victoria but nationally when this is all over.”