🔵 When Keolis met Downer
Plus: Classical music in Neutral bay and a cane toad invasion
Huw Bradshaw
June 19, 2026
⏱️ The 114th edition of our newsletter is a five-minute read.
Morning all,
Will just be a short newsletter today, but I bear good news! For the next two weeks, many lower North Shore bus rides will be free of charge. Due to an ongoing industrial dispute between local drivers and private operator Keolis Downer, Opal readers will be turned off on many local bus routes, including the 144, the B-line and the 100.
Speaking of the 144, I ought to drop a link to a fun story we published last year, interviewing the folks who run a dedicated 144 fan-page.
I have also found out from this news that Keolis Downer now goes by Keolis Australia, after Keolis bought out Downer in December last year and rebranded this March.
A fun, but ultimately pointless bit of trivia about Sydney bus operators.
Anyway, onto the news. 🗞️
HEARD THIS WEEK👂
🎻 Visiting Hayes Street Studio, Neutral Bay
If you’ve been following our gig guides for a while, you may notice that a small Neutral Bay venue called Hayes Street Studio often makes the cut. Since 2023, these guys have been putting on small, well-attended performances of classical pieces — new and old — for an affordable price.
I popped down on Friday evening to ask how classical performances work in such a small venue.
Watch the full interview below.
🚍️ Free bus rides for the lower North Shore, as bus driver pay dispute continues
Lower North Shore commuters will enjoy free bus trips over the next two weeks, as union bus drivers shut off their Opal card readers as a protest against private bus operator Keolis Downer.
The downside for commuters is that this will impact real-time bus timetables via maps apps or the TripView app.
The Lorikeet understands Opal card readers are related to the GPS system which tracks buses in real time.
How long: According to the union, the Opal card readers will remain turned off until Thursday July 2. Some buses, driven by non-union drivers, may continue to turn their readers on.
What is affected: Only lower North Shore bus routes will be affected, such as the 144, B1 and 100. Other affected routes include the 114, 160X, 230 and 225.
What’s the issue? The current industrial action follows months of failed negotiations between the union and Keolis Downer regarding pay and working conditions for bus drivers in the region.
Previous action took place earlier this month, when bus drivers refused to wear uniforms.
The union has also raised concerns about driver-shortages impacting Keolis Downer routes, an issue where they feel the input of drivers has been overlooked.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, NSW Tram and Bus Division President Peter Grech claimed the company “cannot solve its staffing crisis while refusing to properly engage with the workers who keep the network running".
Keolis Downer was contacted for comment.
Read the full story below.
LOOKING NATIONALLY 👀
Toad invasion?
A cane toad conundrum has found its way to the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Are they here or not? It depends who you ask.
Journalist for the Mid North Coaster Douglas Connor tells us what the evidence of cane toads in Coffs Harbour actually means, why the Department of Primary Industries isn't saying what it plans to do about it, and why researchers reckon the clock is already ticking.
Watch the full interview below:
That’ll be all from me today.
As always, if you have a hot tip, an idea for a story or think there’s something I should be covering, hit reply to this email or reach out at [email protected].
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Cheers,
Huw