Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 343 i Australasian Bus & Coach

Sometimes the inspiration just does not come. This month I have resorted to googling ‘how to write a column’ before also googling ‘is googling a word’. It appears the art of column writing is somewhat extract. You have to give a fair and balanced view of an issue (as we strive for in each news story), mix in some opinion and expand or contract your ideas into an allotted space (600 words in this case). While doing this, the writer should also try to make the piece interesting and, occasionally and appropriately, humorous – although we must keep in mind that sometimes sarcasm is not always correctly construed in print. The column tips have not been overly helpful – it appears someone it still yet to write a guide to…

The updated Melbourne Metro business case has been released, with Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews writing to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull seeking federal funding for the public transport project. The business case has also been submitted to Infrastructure Australia, which has previously provided a positive assessment of the project and categorised it as a high priority. The updated business case finds the $10.9 billion Melbourne Metro delivers a benefit of $1.10 for every dollar invested ($1.50 when including wider economic benefits), will allow the train network to carry 39,000 extra passengers in the peak and will create 4700 jobs during peak construction. The state government has already committed $4.5 billion to Melbourne Metro, and seeks a matching $4.5 billion commitment from the Turnbull government.…

The number of people using revamped bus services in Auckland’s outer south-western suburbs had skyrocketed by 35 per cent in the last year. The revamped services were introduced to meet increased demand, with more direct routes and higher frequency services to the CBD in August 2014. “It was an ideal opportunity to try out new bus routes applying the principles of the new network,” Auckland Transport (AT) public transport network manager Anthony Cross says. He put the leap in patronage down to replacing 24 routes that were running infrequently in a complex network, with nine routes using a simpler and more consistent path. Streamlining the bus service between Titirangi Village and New Lynn also had a positive impact. AT is pleased with the result, especially since it costs a similar…

Bus services in Brisbane’s bayside suburbs will be revamped to coincide with the opening of the Moreton Bay Rail Link (MBRL) later this year. The MBRL is a 14km dual-track passenger rail line from Lawton to Kippa-Ring, with six brand new stations constructed. Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) flagged the changes in its recently released Moreton Bay Rail Link Community Consultation Report. Community feedback helped TMR come up with changes to the bus network, in addition to those that were required anyway to link-in with the new rail services and allow customers to connect with the new train services throughout the day.…

Auckland is a step closer to getting a new bus and train station that will help people connect seamlessly between high frequency trains and buses. Work started on the new $26 million Manukau Bus Station recently and, when complete, it will be central to the new public transport network planned for South Auckland. Auckland Transport (AT) project is funded by the New Zealand Government through the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Auckland Council. The train and bus stations will be linked by a covered walkway, with construction of the bus station building expected to be complete in the second half of 2017.…

Anew bus network providing better public transport in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs will be introduced in April. Expressions of interest are being sought for design and construction of Melbourne’s new rail line to Mernda. Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan says the new bus network will complement the new rail services. “The Andrews Labor Government is investing more in public transport than any government in Victoria’s history, to get people home safer and sooner,” Allan says. The rail extension includes a premium station at Mernda, integrated with the proposed Mernda Town Centre, and a new station near Marymede Catholic College with extensive car parking, bike storage and bus facilities. Marymede was chosen as the first station due to a large car parking capacity, proximity to schools and offices, and…

“I am concerned that blanket competitive tendering is being suggested” A major shake-up of the way route bus services are delivered is likely, following the release of a new long-term plan by Infrastructure Australia (IA). IA’s 15-year Australian Infrastructure Plan recommends the gradual privatisation of state owned bus operators, the likes of which currently exist in Tasmania, Canberra, Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) executive director Michael Apps says while it has supported the tendering of previously untendered bus services in the past, international experience shows the repetition of this process each time a contract is due to expire delivers few savings. In his view, once a contract has been won through a competitive tender process, from then onwards honest and transparent negotiation with bus operators should be…

Graeme McDonald A member of the Money Resources Group P: 03 8699 5000 F: 03 9690 9484 M: 0401 189 160 E: graeme@ moneyresources.com.au Well, how did that happen? It’s March already, and strangely this year it’s one of the shortest work months. In Victoria anyway, we have Labour Day and Easter all backed-up on each other, and with people’s love of a long weekend and extended short breaks, they will be adding days to these breaks to take advantage of the last of the good weather. March is also the end of first term in most states, so there will be a fair bit of idle time in many yards during the month. Now, idle time has its advantages – in most depots, it’s a chance to catch…

“The employee was not given any real opportunity to comply” Tim Capelin Piper Alderman partner P: 02 9253 9936 E: tcapelin@ piperalderman.com.au W: piperalderman.com.au A recent decision from the Federal Circuit Court of Australia is a reminder for employers to exercise caution before dismissing an employee on personal/carer’s leave. The Fair Work (FW) Act 2009 makes it unlawful to take adverse action against a person, as they have a workplace right (e.g. the right to personal/carer’s leave). In Collison v Brighton Road Enterprises Pty Ltd & Anor, an events manager took personal/carer’s leave in August 2014, providing her employer a medical certificate. The illness related to stress and anxiety, which apparently arose after a disagreement between employee and manager. On August 22, 2014, the employee emailed her…

An impressive range of speakers are lined up to present at this year’s Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) Conference at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Saturday, April 2. The traditional and hotly-contested QBIC golf tournament is all set to go ahead on the day before the conference itself gets into full swing. QBIC executive director David Tape says it opted for a pure conference format this year, in line with a request from suppliers for QBIC to have just the one event to bring down costs for its supply partners. “This year’s theme is all about partnerships and ways to build public transport,” Tape says. “No single person or organisation can deliver efficient and cost effective public transport. “It must be done through strong working relationships between government, Transport…

Michael Apps BIC National Secretariat PO Box 6171, Kingston ACT 2604 P: 02 6247 5990 F: 02 6273 1035 E: admin@bic.asn.au Warren Truss is retiring and a new minister for infrastructure and transport, Darren Chester, has been appointed. Before I provide an overview of what the ministerial re-shuffe will mean to industry, a short thank you to Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. We might not have agreed on the role of the Federal Government in public transport and our cities, but he always had an open door to discuss issues and concerns and attended many BIC events and meetings over the years. Much commentary has been made about the Turnbull ministry reshuffe forced on him by retirees and resignations. Darren Chester is the new minister – so, what does this…

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will headline the two-day Future Transport Summit, which kicks off in Sydney on April 19. The announcement highlights the New South Wales Government’s commitment to bringing big names to advocate for cutting-edge technology to be applied to its public transport network, with information technology and innovative ways of applying it being the major focus of the summit. “The summit is a way to start thinking about how we’re going to get people in towns and cities across New South Wales from point A to point B using the latest advances in technology from around the world,” NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance says. The summit brings representatives from emerging start-ups and some of the world’s leading technology and transport companies together to map out…

A construction start date of early 2016 is now set for Brisbane’s new Redland Bay Marina bus station, the Queensland Government announced recently. The final design is also complete, taking in feedback from the community, Redland City Council and other stakeholders. Because the station is right on the waterfront it is exposed to the elements, so a key aim is to improve the waiting environment for those who transfer between ferry and bus services. After much debate, the station will be upgraded at its current location, with a capacity for three buses at a time, plus additional bus-waiting bays. Features of the new design include a landscaped public plaza, new public toilets, go card top-up facilities, bicycle storage, improved lighting and security cameras, bus layover bays and driver facilities. Redland…

Feedback on infrastructure to support Sydney’s new northern beaches B-Line bus network – including the location of bus stops and a commuter car park – is being sought, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) announced recently. The new B-Line network will provide more frequent and reliable services for customers travelling between the Sydney’s northern beaches and the CBD. The proposed multi-deck commuter car park will provide about 250 additional commuter spaces on the site of the existing car park at North Narrabeen Reserve in Warriewood. TfNSW will award a contract for the design and construction of the commuter car park later this year.…

A new information campaign has been launched to enable commuters to get the best use of Perth’s transport network to help relieve congestion. Western Australia transport minister Dean Nalder says the Smart Transport campaign will provide commuters with tips and tools to enable them to modify their thinking and approach to moving around Perth, based on awareness of the smart transport options available. The coordinated Smart Transport campaign, which combines information from Main Roads, the Public Transport Authority and Department of Transport, will provide commuters with the right information at the right time to provide better options to improve their travel experience.…