Transport Union May Drop Costly Action in Exchange for 50 Cent Public Transport Fares

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has pressured the NSW government to switch to cheaper fares as industrial action threatens taxpayer coffers.

A CityRail commuter train leaves Circular Quay railway station in Sydney, Australia on Feb. 2, 2010. Greg Wood/AFP via Getty Images

The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) industrial action could cost New South Wales (NSW) taxpayers $100 million a month as the union says it'll consider backing down if the government concedes to lowering public transport tickets to 50 cents.

It comes after neighbouring Queensland’s Labor Premier Steven Miles announced earlier this year that public transport tickets would be reduced to 50 cents. The six-month trial came into effect on Aug. 5.