Review of the Core Passenger Services

Consultation process
Timelines
FAQ
Terms of Reference
Governance Structure
Legislation
Related Sites
Contact
Bus Cost Model (BCM) Summary, (PDF)
Bus Cost Model (BCM) Calculator To Estimate Contract Payment Under The Bus Cost Model, (PDF)

Final Report

Report - Core Passenger Services Review - Status of Recommendations - November 2010

The Review of Core Passenger Services (the Review) has been brought about by a legislative requirement under the Passenger Transport (Transitional) Regulations 2000. It is a three year funded project, commencing in 2004/05, which will broadly examine the delivery of all core passenger services (urban, regional and school) within Tasmania. A three year timeframe provides a realistic period in which detailed analysis can be undertaken and ensures that interested parties will have a genuine role in the development of recommendations for the Government.
The Terms of Reference are broad, and require us to adopt an integrated approach to the Review of all core passenger services. A copy of the Terms of Reference is available on this site.

Bus

Project Outcomes

The primary focus of the Review is the improved delivery of core passenger services and this will benefit users, communities, operators and Government.

The Review will impact widely and is expected to deliver the following outcomes:

1.Users of core passenger services will experience:

service levels in line with their identified requirements;
improved safety outcomes; and
improved consistency in the delivery of services amongst service providers.

2. Better value for the money spent each year on the delivery of core passenger services; and

3. Improved business security for operators as new contracts will be for a term of 5 years, with the option of a further 5 year term.

This Government recognises that it has an obligation to support the passenger transport system from both a social and financial perspective. In recognising this obligation, the Government also recognises that a viable public transport system depends upon a viable transport industry.

Over time, the existing system of services has evolved, to the extent that it is no longer providing for the community as a whole. The Government spends a lot of money ($54.3m in 2004-05) on passenger transport, and it is important that the services delivered are fair and equitable for everyone.

The Review will look at the system as a whole, not just specific issues in isolation as has been done in the past. The reason for this approach is that The Government wants the future system to reflect current and emerging community needs, not those of the past.

At present there are a number of unfair anomalies in the present system that will need to be addressed as part of the Review. It is possible to create a fairer system that is able to achieve more for the community as a whole, and this will require us all to work together.

The Review will approach its task with all of the above issues clearly in mind.

Consultation Process

Gathering information from Tasmanians is a key to the success of this Review. Although a lot of information is currently held by DIER, the Review Team is undertaking an extensive on-the-ground review to ensure that information is accurate.

To facilitate this, the Review is undertaking the following consultation:

Face-to-face interviews with various stakeholders including parents and friends associations, bus operators, schools, community groups, and many others
On-the-bus consultation with passengers and operators through systematic visiting of all operators and riding on selected routes
Focus groups run by local market research company EMRS which will aid understanding of stakeholder concerns and assist with further consultation Summary of EMRS Consultation, (PDF) A staffed toll-free phone number
A three-day search conference with stakeholders held at Bridport on 17th to 19th June 2005

Bridport Workshop Report, (PDF)
A series of regional seminars

Burnie Seminar Report (PDF)

Devonport Seminar Report (PDF)

Smithton Seminar Report (PDF)

Zeehan Seminar Report (PDF)

Hobart Seminar Report (PDF)

Huonville Seminar Report (PDF)

Launceston Seminar Report (PDF)

Westbury Seminar Report (PDF)

Triabunna Seminar Report (PDF)

Sorell Seminar Report (PDF)

Bridgewater Seminar Report (PDF)

Kingborough Seminar Report (PDF)

Campbell Town Seminar Report (PDF)

Scottsdale Seminar Report (PDF)

St Helens Seminar Report (PDF)

Flinders Island Seminar Report (PDF)

King Island Seminar Report (PDF)

Community Reference Group

Vision Statement (PDF)

Statement of current issues and directions (PDF)

For more information please phone the toll-free phone line on 1800 728 357 or email cpsreview@dier.tas.gov.au

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Timeline

The Review has a three-year timeframe, of which the first two years involve research and consultation to ensure there is a clear understanding of current services and stakeholders? issues. The formal ?review? process will not begin until this information has been obtained and analysed.

Year 1 (2005)
Consultation and understanding phase

Research
Validating data through on-the-bus consultation and meetings with stakeholders
Focus groups
Conference with stakeholders

The objective will be to gain information on the broad elements and boundaries around the issues related to the Review. This will provide the Review with the right direction.

Year 2 (2006)
Developing solutions collaboratively

Working with Government, users and operators to narrow down the broader picture into clear policies

Year 3 (2007)
Recommendations

The policies developed in Year 2 will be applied to individual routes and services to determine the outcomes before recommendations are made to Government.

Review recommendations presented to Government 30 June 2007

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions below linked to answers lower on page

What is the Core Passenger Services Review?
What is the focus of the Review?
Why was a Review needed?
Who will be involved in the Review?
When will the review make its recommendations?
Who is undertaking the Review?
How can I get involved?

What is the Core Passenger Services Review?
The Review is scrutinising Tasmania?s entire regular passenger transport services that receive funding from the Tasmanian Government. These include services delivered in each major population centre by Metro Tasmania Pty Ltd and Mersey Link, a number of regular passenger transport services to regional areas and school bus services.

What is the focus of the Review?
The primary focus of the Review is the improved delivery of core passenger services that will benefit users, communities and operators. The Review is expected to deliver the following outcomes:

1. Users of core passenger services will experience service levels in line with their identified requirements, improved safety outcomes and improved consistency in the delivery of services among service providers.
2. Better value for money spent each year on the delivery of core passenger services.
3. Improved business security for operators.

Why is a Review needed?
The Review is required by legislation under the Passenger Transport (Transitional) Regulations 2000

Who will be involved in the Review?
The Review has been designed to maximise consultation with Tasmanians with the first two years set aside for research, face-to-face interviews and ?on-the-bus? travel which will see Review team members travel on bus routes throughout the State. A two-day conference is also planned for mid-2005 and a toll-free phone number, (contact details), has been set up to encourage feedback.

When will the review make its recommendations?
The Review is funded for three years and is scheduled to provide its recommendations to Government by June 2007.

Who is undertaking the Review?
A team of four people is undertaking the Review, working from offices in the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources headquarters in Hobart.

How can I get involved?
You can get involved in the various consultation activities by contacting the Review team:

Toll-free phone: 1800 728 357

Email: cpsreview@dier.tas.gov.au

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Terms of Reference

In accordance with the requirements of Regulation 8 of the Passenger Transport (Transitional) Regulations 2000 undertake a review of core passenger services in Tasmania by:
1. assessing each service and/or route taking into consideration, amongst other things, the following issues:

a) the system-wide implications of each route assessments;

b) the application and appropriateness of the current service standards;

c) the application of the Disability and Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) standards;

d) bus safety;

e) the provision of urban services in the four main population centres and their urban fringe areas;

f) fares, conveyance allowances, and the provision of concessions and other forms of assistance to passengers; and

g) payments to operators of all core services, the use of the Bus Cost Model as a basis for payments and their contractual obligations;

2. investigating inefficiencies, anomalies and inconsistencies in the provision of core passenger services by:

a) cataloguing them;

b) placing them in the context of agreed social, education and economic policies;

c) making recommendations on, not only what elements of core passenger services should be funded, but how they are to be funded, including the application of fares and concessions; and

d) effecting implementation through the New Service Contracts to ensure value for money from the delivery of core passenger services across Tasmania;

3. reporting to the Minister on the findings of each route/service review; and

4. recommending the preferred arrangements to address the age and standards of the current bus fleet by:

a) reviewing the age profile and standards of the fleet;

b) making recommendations on a preferred age profile and appropriate standards; and

c) effecting implementation of the preferred age profile and appropriate standards, including time frames and transition issues, through the New Service Contracts;

5. negotiating agreements (New Service Contracts) that give effect to the review?s findings as agreed by the Minister.

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