Open Minutes
Commencing: Wednesday 31 August 2022, 1:00 pm
Venue: Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga
Chairperson: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen – Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC)
In Attendance: Mat Taylor – General Manager, Corporate, Greg Campbell – Transport Director, Lorraine Cheyne – Transport and Urban Planning Manager, Bron Healey – Principal Advisor, Transport and Urban Planning, Amanda Namana – Committee Advisor
Apologies: Commissioner Selwood – Tauranga City Council (for early departure)
Please note that this meeting was recorded and livestreamed and is available on Council’s YouTube channel for viewing: Regional Public Transport Plan Subcommittee - Deliberations - 31 August 2022
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That the Regional Public Transport Plan Hearings Subcommittee: 1 Accepts the apology from Commissioner Selwood for early departure tendered at the meeting. CARRIED |
2. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
None declared.
Decisions Required
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Regional Public Transport Plan 2022-2032 Deliberations Principal Advisor, Regional Development Bron Healey presented this item, supported by Transport Director Greg Campbell and Team Leader, Transport and Urban Strategy Lorraine Cheyne. Chair’s Introduction to Deliberations · Chair Cr von Dadelszen opened the proceedings by noting the purpose of the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) and outlining the legislative timeframe and scope in relation to funding decisions about public transport services and infrastructure. · Acknowledged the collaborative approach evident in delivery of the RPTP in partnership with public agencies and private operators.
Introductory Comments - Members: · Commended the quality of submissions received and significant body of work for staff · The operating environment was dynamic and complex, and any plan needed to be flexible to respond quickly to any developing changes · Acknowledged the strong sentiment received through submissions to have a bold, innovative and aspirational approach to the RPTP and that these had been heard and considered · The RPTP also needed to be realistic with the most significant challenge being funding and delivery (both central and local government), and achieving behavioural change · Suggested adding a paragraph around ‘ultimate network aspirations’ to acknowledge submissions and show that there was a clear outcome in mind · Reiterated that this was a Regional Plan and noted that Eastern Bay of Plenty faced significantly different challenges to Tauranga · Community agencies in Eastern Bay were providing transport options specifically for ageing demographics and those with disabilities. Some of these were new initiatives which could provide important learnings and information for a wider application.
Deliberations: Deliberations commenced with staff providing the initial commentary on the report recommendations, with the Subcommittee providing input and direction on each section.
Key Points: Boldness/transformational change/step change · Noted the many submission questioning whether the RPTP was sufficiently bold or aspirational to deliver the transformational change in light of the challenges facing the region. Vision Statement · Some submitters raised concerns that although the RPTP addressed accessibility in centres outside the main urban centres, this did not come through in the vision statement, nor did the need for better regional services connecting the region. Funding/Financial Information
Targets · Targets in the plan were complex in relation to considering a response to national targets in the Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP). Whilst there was not yet clear direction, work was underway at sub-national/regional levels in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport · Targets in the draft RPTP for the Western Bay of Plenty were based on modelling conducted through the Transport System Plan (TSP), which indicated that in a medium investment scenario (significantly increasing current investment levels), it would only achieve a mode shift target of 5% · Travel Demand Management (TDM) work underway captured different ways of travelling/not travelling (e.g. work from home). Regional Services · As a result of submissions, clarification had been added to include access to medical and health services. Passenger Rail · The policy was open to exploring feasibility in the long term and working with partners including Waka Kotahi, central government and KiwiRail. This included actively participating in appropriate business cases e.g. extending passenger services from Auckland and Hamilton to Tauranga.
Key Points - Members: Boldness/Transformational Change/Step Change · Stating ‘continuing to work collaboratively’ in the RPTP was not sufficiently substantial, rather a clear leader/driver needed to be identified to take responsibility for facilitation and being proactive · Stressed the necessity of the RPTP to do all possible to address the impact of climate change · It was crucial to progressively amend emissions reduction targets as soon as updated information became available · Noted the optimism in submissions received around on-demand services, smaller and decarbonised buses and intra-community accessibility. There was an opportunity to change people’s behaviour with a range of appropriately structured interventions. Vision Statement · The vision statement was the overarching theme for setting the scene and aspirations of the RPTP and should accordingly be moved to the start of the document · Requested a new section at the beginning of the RPTP with an aspirational statement of future aspirations for the public transport network, explaining targets and acknowledging work underway which would further inform them. This statement needed to sit alongside the vision statement and highlight what was to be achieved - including using new technologies, enabling rail etc. · The ability to be flexible and nimble in responding to change needed to be included in the vision statement or aspirational statement · Additional initial suggestions from members: o add ‘more people using high quality accessible public transport’ o add a statement detailing that ‘the vision would be realised when…’ o suggested a more simplified statement of ‘a public transport system that people want to use and the environment needs’ o weave disincentives into the vision statement · Requested a separate box within the RPTP with a statement on network aspirations to encompass the entire regional network – low carbon, connected, easy to use, using multiple modes and new technology, customer-centric etc. Funding/Financial Information · Supported the need to set out the RPTP funding levels at a high level across Territorial Local Authorities (TLA’s) in their LTP processes to visualise the funding forecast, identify if funding was adequate and how to bridge any gaps to achieve aspirational goals · An evidence-based implementation plan would be critical to success and to address the disconnect between work at a policy level and what was required at the implementation level · A more transparent link was required between the Western Bay of Plenty TSP process, the implementation plan and the policies for the RPTP. Suggested adding a diagram to highlight this relationship between planning and funding, with this needing to be to be set out in a way that provided the required clarity. Challenges · Suggested including a new challenge on funding and affordability as this was an important aspect – funding the network, highlight the challenge of disconnected funding mechanisms. Noted the importance of being transparent and communicating funding risks clearly · Public transport rarely paid for itself or was profitable, rather the benefits came in the form of lower emissions and less congestion. Targets · Targets should be ambitious in the RPTP – members agreed a more aspirational mode shift target was required · Consider taking work from home into account - disincentives and incentives · Understanding the market was crucial – identifying what a convenient form of travel meant to each user and developing a suite of solutions that met different needs · Considered main drivers to increase patronage would be congestion, making a difference to carbon emissions and convenience. Performance Measures · Include benchmarking with other regional councils · Tauranga City Council had contracted BECA to develop a carbon emissions model which was close to being finalised and would enable testing of the validity of some of the measures. Consolidation of Public Transport Functions · Mention the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee · Consider whether there was scope for a new policy around cooperative ways of working/better service integration · Address leadership of delivering outcomes in the RPTP cohesively and Council’s role in ensuring it happens. Regional Services · Making best use of, and improve existing services, e.g. use community groups to socialise ideas and provide feedback Zero Emission Public Transport · Request for smaller vehicles came through strongly in submissions – acknowledge that this was on the radar and under consideration. Suggested providing a description/picture of what the service may look like in the future, key characteristics and describe the outcome that policy is seeking. · Page 59 of the RPTP, policy 1.4 - add ‘including an option for smaller electric vehicles’ · Vehicles Kilometres Travelled (VKT) growth should be restricted as far as possible, but the type of vehicle and how often it was used was the primary factor and VKT should not be a focus. Passenger Rail · Noted that the Waikato Regional Council RPTP made more reference to rail and Tauranga · Consider corridor preservation and working with TLA’s to ensure future capacity built around city expansion.
Key Points - Staff: · The RPTP represented a longer-term view of what was possible for the region in terms of public transport provision · Targets could be set despite not knowing exactly how they would be met at the time · Suggested that in terms of a leadership model, Regional Council be the point of cohesion and integrational thinking and action to bring people together to consider issues and work through solutions. In Response to Questions: · Changes to the current legislative framework and the Public Transport Operating Model (PToM) were still unclear and although it was too soon to predict the outcome, the intention was to open up possibilities to consider, such as ownership of assets and infrastructure · Although special events were not included in the RPTP as they were one off events, this did not mean that public transport services could not be provided to support these, on a case by case basis · Ministry of Transport work on translating national targets into sub-national targets for urban areas was expected to be completed by December 2022 · Staff would review the draft Waikato Regional Council RPTP for any potential inclusion of any complimentary policies.
3.05 pm - the deliberations adjourned.
3:25 pm – the deliberations resumed.
Key Points: Propulsion Technologies · Noted the bus decarbonisation feasibility study underway as being the most appropriate assessment framework for considering costs and benefits of future technologies. Ferries · There was an action in the RPTP to look into a high level business case and explore a wide range of different options. Exploring new innovations/technologies · Gondolas were not being considered at this point in time.
3.47 pm – Commissioner Selwood withdrew from the meeting. Key Points - Members: Service Patronage · Prioritise a customer-centric approach in service considerations · Highlight understanding route optimisation through data analysis and using this to leverage more effective services. On Demand Services · Add wording around ongoing implementation, if on-demand trials proved viable. Bus Stops/Shelters · Suggested an initiative for businesses to fund bus stops with advertising/promotional opportunities. Safety and Security Issues · Requested more definitive wording to prioritise the safety and security of public transport users. Ferries · Start with a smaller scale service that could be grown and operated regularly in peak times, with added tourism departures during the day as this may provide a better chance of a viable service. This supported submissions that requested to scope low cost, low infrastructure options first · Concessions with commercial operators should be considered as an incentive. Provision for Other Modes · Reference the dynamic operating environment, PToM and government review on emission targets in the initial section of reviewing the RPTP (1.2.3) or the foreword.
4.11 pm – Cr Thurston withdrew from the meeting. Extension of SuperGold Concession · Acknowledged the increase in the percentage of the population who would be qualifying for a SuperGold Card in future years. Park and Ride · Suggested an action within the RPTP to identify proposed locations for park and ride facilities across the network, and to secure sites for futureproofing. In Response to Questions: · The definition of an ‘in-service hour’ was one bus operating for one hour.
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· Requested information be provided to a future Public Transport Committee meeting on the break-even passenger emissions equivalent between a single occupancy car and a bus · Explore collaborative ideas around school buses when not in use.
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That the Regional Public Transport Plan Hearings Subcommittee: 1. Recommends that the Public Transport Committee investigates co-investment opportunities to improve the quality of bus stops.
Von Dadelszen/Thompson CARRIED |
4.22 pm – the meeting adjourned.
Regional Public Transport Plan Hearings Subcommittee Deliberations (Continued)
Open Minutes
Commencing: Thursday 1 September 2022, 1:00 pm
Venue: Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga and via Zoom (Audio Visual Meeting)
Chairperson: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen – Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC)
Members: Commissioner Stephen Selwood – Tauranga City Council (via Zoom), Mayor Judy Turner – Whakatāne District Council, Cr Paula Thompson – BOPRC, Cr Jane Nees - BOPRC, Cr Lyall Thurston - BOPRC
In Attendance: Greg Campbell – Transport Director, Lorraine Cheyne – Transport and Urban Planning Manager, Bron Healey – Principal Advisor, Transport and Urban Planning, Amanda Namana – Committee Advisor
Apologies: Commissioner Selwood – Tauranga City Council (for late arrival), Cr Jane Nees (for early departure)
Please note that this meeting was recorded and livestreamed and is available on Council’s YouTube channel for viewing: Regional Public Transport Plan Deliberations - 1 September 2022
1. Apologies
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Resolved That the Regional Public Transport Plan Hearings Subcommittee: 1 Accepts the apologies from Commissioner Selwood for late arrival and Cr Nees for early departure tendered at the meeting. Von Dadelszen/Thurston CARRIED |
2. Reports (Continued)
Decisions Required
3.15 pm – the meeting closed.
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Chairperson, Regional Public Transport Plan Hearings Subcommittee