|
|
|
|
|
|
Report To:
|
Public
Transport Committee
|
|
Meeting
Date:
|
7 June
2023
|
|
Report
Authoriser:
|
Mike Seabourne – Director, Public
Transport
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Summary
This report
highlights matters of interest that the Committee Chair considers to be
relevant to the business of the Public Transport Committee.
The
report includes updates on:
· National
and local context including Sustainable Public Transport Framework, Waka
Kotahi NZTA Audit, National Ticketing Solution Update, CERF and bus driver
terms and conditions update, return to full timetable update, Rotorua bus
network refresh implementation update, Community Connect Implementation
Update, security update, and Ridewise 1 update.
|
Recommendations
That the Public
Transport Committee:
1 Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.
1. Purpose
The purpose of this report is to make
Committee members aware of items of interest in relation to public transport.
2. Matters
of Potential Interest
2.1 National
Context and Council Updates
2.1.1 Sustainable
Public Transport Framework (SPTF) Update
Following the Public Transport Operating
Model (PTOM) review, in August 2022 the Government announced it would replace
PTOM with the Sustainable Public Transport Framework (SPTF). The SPTF is being
established through a combination of amendments to the Land Transport
Management Act 2003 and through the development of operational policy.
Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport
is responsible for the legislative changes. On Wednesday 29 March 2023 the Land
Transport (Regulation of Public Transport) Amendment Bill received its first
reading and was referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee.
Submissions closed on Friday 28 April 2023.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is
responsible for developing operational policy to establish the SPTF and is
working closely with key sector stakeholders through a Partner Reference Group
and technical working groups.
2.1.2 Waka
Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency – Audit
Waka Kotahi undertook an Investment
Audit of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) in 2023. Summarised below
are the findings of that audit. Attachment 1 sets out the full report.
Waka Kotahi Extract
Waka Kotahi Audit Rating Assessment
Recommendations
The table below captures the audit
recommendations. Agreed dates are provided for the implementation of
recommendations by BOPRC.
The audit report is also being formally shared with
the Risk and Assurance Committee on 14 June 2023.
2.1.3 National
Ticketing Solution (NTS) Update
The National Ticketing Solution (NTS) is an enabler
for change:
· A
flexible, modern ticketing system will make it easier for people to pay for
public transport anywhere in the country including making it easier to support
national concessions such as SuperGold and Community Connect
· This
will encourage more people to use public transport, more often
· Increased
access will ultimately contribute to reducing New Zealand’s carbon
emissions and improving safety and congestion on our roads
· Public
Transport Authorities will gain a digitally enabled system with more choice,
transparency, and simplicity
· A
deeper understanding of customer journeys will mean optimised services and
better targeted investment.
Funding is met through the
National Land Transport Fund.
The funding model being used is different to the usual
Waka Kotahi co-funding
approach. Waka Kotahi is providing 100% Finance Assistance Rate (FAR) funding
to design, build and operate the NTS. This means across the whole NTS Waka
Kotahi will cover 93% of the cost and the PTAs 7%. PTAs will fund 50% of
transition costs and their front office costs on an ongoing basis.
Currently, there are five disparate systems operating
in NZ. NTS is an opportunity to achieve economies of scale and to provide
smaller PTAs with a world leading ticketing system which otherwise would be
outside their reach. Centrally contracting and operating the system will ensure
the best value for money across Aotearoa.
PTAs will see a substantial reduction in the running
costs of their ticketing systems. PTAs will also receive full fare revenue,
collected by the NTS.
We are currently planning our local response to this
national project being led by Waka Kotahi. Environment Canterbury is currently
preparing to pilot NTS in 2024. We wouldn’t be looking at implementing
until mid-2025 at the earliest.
2.1.4 CERF
and Bus Driver Terms and Conditions Update
The all-parties Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),
developed by Waka Kotahi for Public Transport Authorities (PTAs), aims to improve bus driver terms and conditions initiative under the
Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Discussions between operators, unions
and PTAs have been steadily taking place across the country. We are currently
in discussion with local PTOs and Unions to define the next viable steps we intend
to take towards improving the bus driver terms and conditions (e.g., increase
hourly rates, implement split shift allowances, and/or implement penal rates
for work after 9pm).
We will progress with seeking CERF
Funding Approval subject to agreements being confirmed. Funding will be backdated to 1 November 2022.
2.1.5 Return
to Full Timetable Update
On 1 May 2023, nine of the Tauranga Urban
Bus Network routes returned to full timetable, with four routes remaining on a
weekend timetable. All services are expected to return to full timetable when
the Tauranga Bus Network Refresh Phase 2 project is implemented in September
2023. NZ Bus have advised they will have enough drivers, including an 18%
buffer in driver numbers, to deliver these changes.
2.1.6 Rotorua
Bus Network Refresh Implementation Update
On 23 March 2023, this Committee approved
implementation plans as recommended by staff. Implementation is
still dependent on the installation of landmark bus stops and shelters using
funding provided through the Transport Choices package. The agencies
responsible for the installation of infrastructure still need to confirm exact
locations, undertake necessary design work, and engage with stakeholders as
required.
Internal work on updating the
ticketing system, website, printed timetables, etc., and planning our marketing
and communication strategies is progressing well.
2.1.7 Community
Concession Card Implementation Update
In 2022, Central Government made funding
available and changed relevant regulations to support Public Transport
Authorities to implement 50 percent concessions for CSC holders on bus, train,
and ferry services. There
are approximately 74,000 Community Services Card (CSC) holders in the Bay of
Plenty that we will need to deliver a new concession to come 1 July 2023. The
project team are on track to implement the changes on time.
The latest government announcement, which references
Community Connect, will be treated as a distinctly separate project given it
has wider policy, funding and operational implications that need to be
considered prior to being implemented.
2.1.8 Security
Update
There have been eight cashbox thefts from buses in Tauranga between
1 April and 26 May. Staff have engaged with NZ Bus to implement quick fixes,
such as implementing a process for drivers when they leave their bus vacant
during breaks. Some security staff have been redeployed to specifically monitor
bus layover areas in the Tauranga CBD. Concerns have also been escalated
through to the regular City Safety meetings which include personnel from
Tauranga City Council, security operators, Iwi and Police.
Following
discussions at the Tauranga Public Transport Committee Joint Committee meeting
on 23 May 2023, the existing security contract, which expires on 30 June 2023,
will be renewed. However, the services will be scaled back to align with the
significant decrease in security incidents being reported. Details, including
timeframes, are currently being worked through and the longer-term approach
will be decided in collaboration with the Tauranga City Council and Western Bay
of Plenty Community Development teams.
2.1.9 Ridewise
1 Update
Eyede Solutions Ltd (the Supplier) provides
13 Councils across New Zealand with variants of a software application and
related services generally known as Ridewise. Ridewise was developed
under Waka Kotahi’s National Total Mobility Administration System
project, to enable Councils to administer the Total Mobility Scheme (TMS) in
their respective regions.
The Supplier and Councils entered into a
Commercial Services Agreement to improve the performance of and enhance
Ridewise 1 to meet revised agreed requirements of all Councils. The Ridewise
Steering Group are content with the Ridewise Variation with the agreement
expected to be agreed and signed by 27 May 2023.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council covers 4% of
the annual service and support charges ($32,500), which is catered for in our
budget.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - 2023 Bay of Plenty Regional Council Final Audit
Report ⇩
|
|
|
|
|
|
Report To:
|
Public
Transport Committee
|
|
Meeting
Date:
|
7 June
2023
|
|
Report
Writer:
|
Melissa Winters, Senior Network
Planner
|
|
Report
Authoriser:
|
Mike
Seabourne, Director, Public Transport
|
|
Purpose:
|
The purpose of this report is to
provide a summary of the public consultation held in April 2023, and request
approval to implement the Tauranga Bus Network Refresh.
|
|
|
|
Tauranga
Bus Network Refresh
|
Executive Summary
Community Engagement for the Tauranga Bus Network Refresh received a
record number of responses. Feedback has been used to revise aspects of
the original proposal.
This report provides a summary of the community engagement. A
detailed overview of the feedback received, as well as the network changes
proposed are contained within the attachment and will be further explained in
the presentation delivered by staff.
|
Recommendations
That the Public
Transport Committee:
1 Receives the report, Tauranga Bus Network Refresh;
2 Approves the implementation of the proposed network.
1. Introduction
An engagement plan for the
Tauranga Bus Network Refresh was presented to this committee on 21 March
2023. Community engagement commenced on 3 April and closed on 28
April. This was an extremely successful process and resulted in over 500
individual pieces of feedback.
Feedback has been considered and
several changes have been made to the initial Bus Network proposal in response
to the feedback received.
Staff are seeking endorsement of
the final Bus Network design and approval to continue working towards
implementation of the new network.
1.1 Legislative
Framework
Regional Council is responsible
for funding public transport services under Part 5 of the Land
Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA).
The overall
purpose of the LTMA is to contribute to an effective, efficient, and safe land
transport system in the public interest. Section 115 of the LTMA includes
a set of principles that are intended to guide the actions of regional councils
in undertaking their public transport functions.
These
principles are:
· Regional councils and public transport operators should work in
partnership to deliver the public transport services and infrastructure
necessary to meet the needs of passengers.
· The provision of services should be coordinated with the aim of
achieving the levels of integration, reliability, frequency, and coverage
necessary to encourage passenger growth.
· Competitors should have access to regional public transport markets
to increase confidence that services are priced efficiently.
· Incentives should exist to reduce reliance on public subsidies to
cover the cost of providing services; and
· The planning and procurement of services should be transparent.
1.2 Alignment
with Strategic Framework
|
A Vibrant Region
|
We lead
regional transport strategy and system planning, working with others to
deliver a safe and reliable public transport system.
|
|
The Way We Work
|
We
continually seek opportunities to innovate and improve.
|
The proposed refresh project is a critical aspect of our
remit to improve public transport services within existing budgets, as a
potential precursor to future improvements through business cases. The
refresh approach is about the better design of networks, services, and
operational activities to meet passenger needs for reliable and convenient
services.
1.2.1 Community
Well-beings Assessment
|
Dominant Well-Beings Affected
|
|
þ Environmental
Medium
- Positive
|
þ Cultural
Low -
Positive
|
þ Social
Medium
- Positive
|
þ Economic
Low -
Positive
|
Efficient and accessible bus
services make a strong contribution to community well-being –
particularly for people who do not have access to a private car. Buses
therefore provide an essential social service which enables people to access
jobs, education, shops, friends, and leisure opportunities. Buses can
move significantly greater numbers of people per unit area of road-space,
compared with a private car. With the recent declaration of a climate
emergency, there is an imperative to provide viable alternatives to private car
travel.
2. Community
Engagement
2.1 Method
The community engagement period was advertised through
social media, posters on buses, booklets delivered to schools and retirement
villages, radio advertising and newspaper advertising.
Staff also conducted face to face sessions at key
locations (bus interchanges and supermarkets).
Digital technology was used to share information and
collect feedback, including providing an interactive map through the Remix
platform so that users could see the existing network and the new network
together.
2.2 Statistics
We received 414 pieces of
individual feedback. 289 of these came through the Participate platform
(online), and the remainder were received via email, phone calls or post.
75% of respondents on
Participate were current bus users, with half of those stating that they use
the bus services three or more times per week and another 30% using the buses
weekly.
60% of respondents mainly use
the bus service for travel to and from work, while 14% use it for recreation,
8% use it for school/study and 8% use it for shopping.
There were over 500 views of the
interactive map, suggesting that it was a valuable addition to the consultation
toolbox.
The consultation feedback form
invited feedback on five specific questions, as well as an open field for
feedback on other aspects of the proposal. The attachment provides
further detail on the feedback received for each of the questions.
2.3 Themes
Overall themes of the
consultation feedback were:
· Reliability:
It is of paramount importance that our services be as reliable as
possible. Achieving this will require on-going collaboration with our
partners at Tauranga City Council to optimise the way that buses can travel
around Tauranga, including providing bus priority where appropriate. It is also
important to work closely with our urban operator to ensure that timetables are
designed in implemented efficiently.
· Quality
of Infrastructure: We received many comments about improving the
quality of infrastructure around bus stops, including pedestrian crossings,
shelters, seating, footpaths, lighting, and real-time information. This
infrastructure is the responsibility of Tauranga City Council, and we are
working closely together to identify where improvements can be made.
· Links
between key destinations: Several respondents were pleased to see
increased links between key destinations, such as Route 1 linking Tauranga
Crossing, Tauranga CBD and Mt Maunganui, and were keen to see Route 25
(currently CT) continue to link Bayfair, Toi Ohomai, Greerton and Tauranga
Crossing. The proposal had decreased single leg options available for
passengers wishing to travel between Bayfair and Te Puke or Mt Maunganui and
would require some passengers to change vehicles, but removing these
connections was not generally seen as a positive change. This has been
addressed in the outcomes below.
3. Outcomes
The attachment provides detail
of the feedback, analysis, and recommendations for each of the questions asked,
as well as recommended responses to a number of other key areas raised through
general feedback on the proposal.
3.1.1 Question
1
Question 1 asked if Route 5 should travel from Ohauiti
to Tauranga CBD, or from Ohauiti to Greerton (allowing a transfer to Route 4 to
access the CBD).
Many respondents had no preference (44%), but of those
who did have a preference there was a clear majority (66%) in favour of the bus
continuing to travel to the CBD.
Staff recognise the overwhelming direction provided by
the community that Ohauiti should retain a direct service to the CBD. However,
staff do not feel that the benefits of a more direct service to the CBD (via
15th Avenue) offset the loss of connectivity to Windermere (Toi Ohomai),
Greerton and the Hospital. This view is supported by both the current patronage
data and the community feedback.
After considering the feedback, staff recommend
continuing with the current Route 55.
3.1.2 Question
2
Question 2 asked if Route 20 from Te Puke should
continue to travel to Bayfair, or if it should terminate at Pāpāmoa
Plaza (providing transfer options to Route 2 for onward travel towards Bayfair,
Mount Maunganui and Tauranga CBD.
Responses showed a small majority (54%) were in favour
of the route travelling to Bayfair, with concerns around accessing workplaces
if they were required to changes buses more than once. If buses from Te
Puke stopped at Pāpāmoa Plaza, passengers wishing to access the Mount
or Toi Ohomai would need to use three buses to reach their destination.
The feedback indicated that Te Puke residents valued
the opportunity to be connected to a larger choice of destinations. It is
therefore recommended that the faster peak connections to Bayfair be maintained
for commuters, with all off-peak services continuing to run to Bayfair, but
routed via Doncaster/Pāpāmoa Plaza/Grenada St.
This recommendation provides the best
balance for all customers. Whilst it will lead to a small increase in journey
times to Bayfair in the off-peak, it will increase the number of destinations
accessible from Te Puke.
3.1.3 Question
3
Question 3 asked if Route 21 should continue to travel
along current route via Maranui Street or change to travel along more of
Gloucester Road. This change has been requested frequently since the last
major network change in 2018.
Many respondents indicated either no preference or
satisfaction with either option. For those that had a preference, 73% were in
favour of the route travelling along Gloucester Road.
Staff therefore recommend that route be changed to
travel along Gloucester Road, as per the proposal.
3.1.4 Question
4
Question 4 asked if Route 25 (which is a replacement
for the current CT service), should terminate in Greerton or continue to
Tauranga Crossing as it does now.
Most of the feedback (74%) was in favour of continuing
to travel to Tauranga Crossing, with several respondents mentioning the need
for a single leg journey between shopping centres and the Polytech at
Windermere.
Staff therefore recommend that the connection to
Tauranga Crossing be maintained.
3.1.5 Question
5
Question 5 related to evening services and asked if
the community was in support of buses running later into the evening. It
also asked which services our customers would like to see prioritised.
Lots of feedback was received on this question, with
many respondents in favour of evening services to cater for shift workers and
those socialising. Some respondents were concerned about the safety of
passengers and drivers later at night and recommended better lighting at bus stops
as well as enhanced security provisions.
Whilst many respondents were keen to see all buses
operate later into the evening, extending the operating hours of Routes 1 and 2
had the most support.
Extending operating hours into the evening appears to
have good support from the community. As there are several practical and
financial aspects that require further consideration, Staff are not
proposing to implement evening services as part of this refresh.
The Public Transport Committee may wish to instruct staff
to undertake further work understand the feasibility of extending operating
hours.
3.1.6 Other
outcomes
In addition to the five questions above, feedback was
received on a number of specific themes, which are summarised below. Further
detail can be found in the attached document.
· Pyes
Pā: Routes in and out of Pyes Pā could have been
communicated more clearly in the consultation documentation. This learning has
been captured by staff. There was also concern with the proposal to remove Pyes
Pā’s direct service to the CBD.
o In response, staff recommend
that proposed Route 3 be extended to Pyes Pā, to maintain a direct
connection to the CBD.
· Gate
Pā: Current Route 59 links Gate Pā with both Greerton and
Tauranga CBD. The proposal for Route 23 curtailed this route back from
the CBD to Tauranga Hospital, and extended the southern end to Pyes Pā and
Tauranga Crossing. Feedback was received indicating concerns about
removing the direct connection to Tauranga CBD.
o To understand the need for
this connection, staff analysed demand data. This indicated that stops on
Clarke St (Historic Village), Coopers Rd and Watling St each average 1-2
boardings / alightings per day. Whilst the CBD is a popular origin for these
trips, 50% originate from locations south of the hospital. It is therefore
recommended that this route not be extended into the CBD, as per the proposal.
· Route
22: Some respondents wrote in to talk about the
route of Route 22, which travels via Range Road and Pāpāmoa Beach
Road rather than a more direct route along Grenada Street.
o Staff recommend that this
small change be implemented. The more central nature of the route should enable
it to serve a larger catchment of residents. It should be noted that feedback
was not requested in relation to this change.
· Matua: Concerns were raised by
some respondents about the lack of an off- peak bus service from Matua directly
to Tauranga CBD via Ngatai Road and Chapel Street.
o Staff reviewed the patronage
data to quantify the usage of the current Route 70. Route 70 is not well
patronised, with only two full inbound trips (62% school students) in the
mornings and very little usage on any outbound morning trips. In the
afternoons, most of the outbound trips to Matua operate with an average of 2-3
passengers, and most of the inbound trips to the CBD run empty. Staff therefore
recommend implementing the proposed route, which only provides a Matua service
via Chapel Street at peak times.
· Pillans Point / Ngatai Road (east):
The proposal meant that school students in the Pillans Point / Ngatai Road
(east) area would need to walk to either Brookfield Shopping Centre or the
Ngatai Road/Otumoetai Road intersection to catch a Route 7 bus to access
Otumoetai College and Otumoetai Intermediate. This affects a significant
number of school students.
o To
mitigate this, staff recommend having a variation on Route 8 at school times,
to travel via Ngatai/Windsor Road instead of via Otumoetai Road.
· Bayfair to Mt Maunganui: The
current Route 5 provides a 15-minute frequency in both directions between
Bayfair (Farm Street) and Mt Maunganui, and also between Tauranga CBD and Mt
Maunganui. The proposal removed this route as the Tauranga to Mt Maunganui part
of the trip will be covered by the new Route 1. Frequency increases and
operating hour extensions on Route 21 would have replaced Route 5, however the
current Route 21 travels via Oceanbeach Road.
o Boarding data
on current Route 21 shows very low usage along Oceanbeach Road and Marine
Parade. There are also operational challenges on this route, including
significant congestion during the holiday season. Staff therefore recommend
running Route 21 along Maunganui Road. There is substantially more demand along
Maunganui Road, as well as significant employers and community facilities. This
would completely remove buses from Marine Parade and Oceanbeach Road. It
should be noted that feedback was not requested in relation to this change.
4. Considerations
4.1 Risks
and Mitigations
The key risks and mitigations
are set out in the following table:
Table 1: Risks and
Mitigations
|
No.
|
Risk
|
Inherent risk
|
Mitigating actions
|
Risk treatment
|
Residual risk
|
|
Likelihood
|
Impact
|
Total
|
Likelihood
|
Impact
|
Total
|
|
1
|
Pressure
from residents to change routes which adversely impact customer accessibility
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
Collection,
analysis, and presentation of robust data needs to provide clear evidence of
customer impacts in relation to any changes
|
Mitigate
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
|
2
|
Residents
may be disappointed with the conclusions of the work
|
H
|
M
|
M
|
Preparation
of a Communications Plan will identify the key stakeholders and consider the
key messages in the event of a likely adverse reaction
|
Mitigate
|
H
|
M
|
M
|
|
5
|
The
scope of bus routes in the project brief may not consider inter-dependencies
with other routes (for example in relation to inter-working and interchange)
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
The
scope of routes may be increased if inter-dependencies become apparent
Having
partner team members on the project team
|
Accept
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
4.2 Climate
Change
|
Mitigation
|
Adaptation
|
|
Reduce GHG emissions
|
Produce GHG
emissions
|
Sequester carbon
|
Anticipate climate
change impacts
|
Respond to climate
change impacts
|
|
☒
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
The aim of this section
is to ensure your thinking and assumptions around climate change are explicit
and to provide visibility as to how our work relates to climate change.
Consider:
· Is the initiative sensitive to
climate (e.g. changes in rainfall, temperature, wind, sea-level)? If so, what
are the likely impacts and how have they been accounted for?
· In what way does the initiative
relate to climate change (use the building block below to illustrate)?
· Which of the guiding principles does
the initiative encompass in relation to climate change (see the detailed
guidance for information on these principles)? Provide more detail where
appropriate.
Use the building block below when considering
Climate Change implications.
Crtl + click for guideline material.
Increasing
the level of bus use, and reducing travel by private car, will assist in
reducing per capita carbon emissions. The Refresh work strongly supports
other initiatives being brought before this committee, namely:
· Bus fleet decarbonisation;
· On demand public transport; and
· Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP).
4.3 Implications
for Māori
Improvements to the public
transport network through the optimisation project have the potential to
deliver positive effects for Māori around accessibility and provision of
transport options. This is particularly in locations where there are
higher proportions of Māori in the local population. Public
transport services can provide Māori better access to essential services,
including employment and education opportunities, and health care services.
Connecting with Māori in
gaining insights into public transport is particularly important in projects
that have the potential to affect services to Māori communities.
A communications and engagement
plan will clearly identify key groups or audiences (e.g., iwi / hapū
groups, Māori as bus users) and how best to engage. Opportunities
for working with other agencies on engagement events and processes will be
pursued.
4.4 Community
Engagement
|
|
CONSULT
Whakauiuia
|
To obtain input or feedback from affected communities
about our analysis, alternatives, and /or proposed decisions.
|
Community engagement on this
project has now been completed. The final step in the engagement process
is to report results back to the respondents.
4.5 Financial
Implications
If the recommendation
is adopted by Council, will it result in:
- Unbudgeted work during the current financial
year?
- Unbudgeted work for any of the years remaining
in the current Long Term Plan?
If the answer is ‘no’ to
both questions please select the dropdown option 1 and complete appropriately.
If the answer is ‘yes’ to either
question please select “Budget Implications” in the building block
below and liaise with your Management Accountant in order to complete the
Financial Impact table.
The aim of the Refresh project
is to make improvements within existing budgets.
5. Next
Steps
Next Steps: What next? What resources are
needed? Further analysis? Timeframes ahead. Any consultation planned. Remind Council
of the process ahead. Next update to Council?
Conclusion: Short concluding remarks. Referring
back to recommendations. No new content.
If approval to implement is received,
the next steps include working with Tauranga City Council staff to identify the
infrastructure changes required to support the new network; and working with
the urban bus operator to confirm new timetables.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Tauranga Refresh - Considering April 2023
Consultation Feedback DRAFT ⇩
