ABC #395

OPERATOR
MT GRAVATT BUS SERVICE
positions when Covid-19 hit,
so we immediately ceased the
recruitment process. Assuming
we don’t have any setbacks
with the virus and restrictions
continue to be lifted, we hope
to restart our recruitment for
these positions in the near
future,” he said.
With perseverance, Del
became the first woman
in Australia to become an
accredited bus operator.
Above:
MTG began in
1974 by Del Cole.
Below:
The Scania Touring
coach stood out
with its large
luggage bins,
good towing
capacity and a
flexible seating
arrangement.
Opposite:
A variety of
measures were
implemented
to cut costs as
the impact of
the pandemic
hit, allowing
MTG to continue
employing all of
its staff.
schools were back to full
attendance, we had re-instated
almost half of our stood-down
fleet and we are optimistic
that the remaining charter
fleet will be back into service in
mid-July to coincide with the
commencement of the third
school term,” he adds.
EMPLOYMENT IMPACT
With many companies needing
to let staff go or stagger working
hours, did MTG do the same or
what roles changed?
“Our staff numbers have
dropped off slightly as we
were recruiting for a couple of
BUS CLEANING
Mt Gravatt says it has always
prided itself in the cleanliness
and presentation of its fleet and
its clientele expects nothing less.
Brooker explained: “We don’t
employ cleaners; instead our
drivers are required to keep the
fleet presented to the highest
of standards, so when Covid-19
demanded we have additional
hygiene requirements it was a
fairly smooth process to provide
equipment to our drivers. This
came with the instructions
to sanitise all grab rails, hard
surfaces, etc. each time the bus
emptied of customers.
“Having a second depot
available to us, we were able to
separate almost 50 per cent of
the driving staff, so that if there
were an infection we wouldn’t
have to isolate the entire
business and could meet our
contractual obligations.
“Of course, we were able
to have high-risk employees,
including our managing director,
work from home – and everyone
else has been required to
practice social distancing, good
hygiene and common sense
throughout this difficult time,”
he said.
According to Brooker, when
management approached the
staff with a plan for no-one to
lose their job, it meant everyone
would have to make some form
of sacrifice for their colleagues.
“Every single person within the
business was prepared to make
those sacrifices and it is a credit
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ABC July 2020 busnews.com.au