Agenda of Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee

Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee

Membership

Chairperson (BOPRC)	Cr Andrew von Dadelszen
Deputy Chairperson (TCC)	Commission Chair Anne Tolley
Members
Bay of Plenty Regional Council	Cr Andrew von Dadelszen Cr Paula Thompson
Tauranga City Council	Commission Chair Anne Tolley Commissioner Stephen Selwood
External Member (non-voting) Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency	Jessica Andrew TBC - Alternate
Quorum	Two members, consisting of half the number of members, of which one must be from each respective Council.
Meeting Frequency	Bi-monthly or as required by the need for decisions.

Appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair and associated administrative support to be rotated between the two partner councils on an annual basis.

Purpose

Provide strategic and operational advice and direction for an integrated public transport system for Tauranga city and monitor implementation delivery.

The aim is to ensure that decisions in relation to all relevant parts of the transport system are taken collectively, and deliver outcomes that are greater than the sum of these parts. These outcomes are set out in the Urban Form and Transport Initiative (UFTI) Programme Business Case and Tauranga Transport System Plan (TSP).

Role

The Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee is a joint committee of Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council that report to their respective councils.

The area covered by the Joint Committee extends to the Tauranga City Council boundaries. The role includes:

· Enabling integrated decision making for Public Transport in Tauranga City.

· Preparing and reviewing a Tauranga City Integrated Public Transport work Programme.

· The Work Programme to include:

o Projects and business cases as outlined in Annex 1 (and prioritised accordingly).

o Providing advice and guidance on Tauranga-specific content of the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP), for consideration by the Public Transport Committee.

o RPTP policy implementation in relation to the Tauranga City Council area.

o Tauranga city parking strategy and implementation.

o Travel behaviour management programmes (including The Wednesday Challenge).

· Funding and financing (includes updates on Tauranga road pricing, bus fares, parking charges and third party funding).

· Monitor and review the implementation of the Work Programme.

· Receive reporting on the performance of public transport services and infrastructure, and making recommendations for improvement.

· Provide quarterly implementation updates to the Public Transport Committee.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Joint Committee’s role does not include adopting, varying or renewing the Regional Public Transport Plan, which is a function of the Regional Council.

Reports to the Joint Committee will be prepared in partnership between the two councils. Where differences of view at officer level are apparent, these will be clearly set out in order for Councillors and Commissioners to make an objective and balanced decision.

Power to Act

To make all decisions necessary to fulfil the role and scope of the Joint Committee; with relevant powers delegated from the respective council committees.

Any recommendations that impose financial commitments to either party are to be referred to the respective councils for approval.

Any variation to the Joint Committee’s terms of reference are by formal agreement by both councils.

Power to Recommend

The Joint Committee has a recommendatory power in relation to Tauranga City public transport matters to be considered as part of the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) process.

Recording of Meetings

Please note the Public section of this meeting is being recorded and streamed live on Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website in accordance with Council's Live Streaming and Recording of Meetings Protocols which can be viewed on Council’s website. The recording will be archived and made publicly available on Council's website within two working days after the meeting on www.boprc.govt.nz for a period of three years (or as otherwise agreed to by Council).

All care is taken to maintain your privacy; however, as a visitor in the public gallery or as a participant at the meeting, your presence may be recorded. By remaining in the public gallery, it is understood your consent is given if your image is inadvertently broadcast.

Opinions expressed or statements made by individual persons during a meeting are not the opinions or statements of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Council accepts no liability for any opinions or statements made during a meeting.

Annex 1: Projects and Business Cases

Priority Projects

The following projects are to be implemented, commencing in the next six months:

· Tauranga CBD Interchange Temporary Relocation.

· Bus Stop Improvements.

· Bus Shelter Improvements.

The following projects are to be implemented, commencing in the next twelve months:

· Low Cost Low Risk projects relevant to public transport.

· Tauranga Network Refresh Phase 2.

Business Cases

The following business cases will be progressed, broadly in priority order:

· Tauriko Early Works.

· Arataki Bus Interchange.

· Public Transport Services & Infrastructure.

· Tauriko Long Term.

· Hewlett’s Road Sub-area.

· Turret Road / 15^th Avenue.

· Cameron Road Stage 2.

· Accessible Streets Area A (Mount / Papamoa / CBD).

· Accessible Streets Area B (Otumoetai / Bellevue / Brookfield).

Operations

Matters could include:

· Coordination of highway works to minimise bus service disruption.

· Bus service and work programme disruptions as a result of COVID-19.

Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee 5 December 2023

Recommendations in reports are not to be construed as Council policy until adopted by Council.

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Public Forum

3. Items not on the Agenda

4. Order of Business

5. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

6. Public Excluded Business to be Transferred into the Open

7. Minutes

Minutes to be Confirmed

7.1 Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes - 17 October 2023 4

8. Verbal Updates

8.1 Director's Update

Presented by: Mike Seabourne - Director, Public Transport (BOPRC)

9. Reports

9.1 Chairperson's Report 4

Decisions Required

9.2 Public Transport Services and Infrastructure Business Case – Emerging Preferred Option 4

Attachment 1 - Short list options 4

Information Only

9.3 Joint PT Committee Projects Update 4

Attachment 1 - Projects update - Joint PT Committee Appendix A 4

10. Public Excluded Section

Resolution to exclude the public

Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting as set out below:

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

Item No.	Subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Grounds under Section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution	When the item can be released into the public
10.1	Public Excluded Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes - 17 October 2023	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	To remain in public excluded.
10.2	City Centre Transport Future Civic Bus Provision	Withholding the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(b)(ii).	On the Chief Executive's approval.

Minutes to be Confirmed

10.1 Public Excluded Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes - 17 October 2023

Information Only

10.2 City Centre Transport Future Civic Bus Provision

11. Public Excluded Business to be Transferred into the Open

12. Readmit the Public

13. Consideration of Items not on the Agenda

Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes

17 October 2023

Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee

Open Minutes

Commencing: Tuesday 17 October 2023, 2.30 pm

Venue: Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga

Chairperson: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen - Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC)

Deputy Chairperson: Commission Chair Anne Tolley - Tauranga City Council (TCC)

Members: Cr Paula Thompson (BOPRC)

Commissioner Stephen Selwood (TCC)

In Attendance: BOPRC:

Cr Ron Scott; Cr Kat Macmillan (via Zoom); Cr Lyall Thurston (via Zoom); Mike Seabourne – Director, Public Transport; Oliver Haycock – Manager, Transport Planning; Matthew Kilpatrick – Senior Transport Planner; Claudia Cameron – Committee Advisor.

TCC:

Commissioner Bill Wasley; Brendan Bisley – Director of Transport; Shawn Geard – Transport Technical Lead, City Centre Team; Tom McIntyre – Team Lead, Transport Development; Gareth Wallis – General Manager City Development; Emily McLean – Programme Lead, City Development .

New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi):

Jess Andrew – Regional Manager System Design (Waikato Bay of Plenty).

Presenters

Shaun Jones – TSP Programme Manager (via Zoom).

Apologies: None.

1. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

2. Minutes

Minutes to be Confirmed

2.1

Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes - 16 August 2023

Resolved

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

1 Confirms the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes - 16 August 2023 as a true and correct record.

Tolley/Selwood

CARRIED

2:35 pm - Jess Andrew (Waka Kotahi) entered the meeting.

3. Presentations

3.1

Transport System Plan (TSP) Update

Presentation: VKT Presentation: Objective ID A4509003

Presented by: Shaun Jones – TSP Programme Manager

Key Points:

· There was a legislative requirement to develop a Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) reduction programme for Tauranga (Tier 1 centre), and to support people to walk, cycle and use Public Transport (PT)

· The 20% VKT reduction by 2035 was based on forecasted projections – a reduction to 1.9 billion light vehicle VKT

· Urban programme options were outlined; identified where priority investment could be made with potential for an amalgam programme once effective levers were better understood

· Next steps: evaluate, engage and inform.

Key Points - Members:

· Highlighted the interrelated nature of Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty in relation to VKT, and noted potential for community confusion with VKT reduction targets as opposed to emissions/carbon reduction targets

· Recognised that the investment gap for PT, VKT/emission reduction was reliant on increased PT funding. Joined up planning between TSP and regional funding strategies was required

· Emission/carbon reduction was a key focus of Regional Council. Suggested the TSP team incorporate emissions reduction targets alongside VKT to demonstrate integrated governance.

In Response to Questions:

· The urban programme options demonstrated scenarios which could be applied to VKT or emission reduction, and could be applied incrementally. The options informed future decisions and the scope of change needed to deliver outcomes

· In addition to the Managed Lane Study, this programme had funded 13 Bluetooth sensors, a travel demand management scope study and early work on variable ride pricing – this ensured the work was as practical as possible

· The VKT reduction project was funded by Waka Kotahi.

Key Points – BOPRC Staff:

· The trip length versus mode data highlighted the need to focus mode shift on trips between 2-25km – TSP data was able to assist with future PT planning.

4. Verbal Updates

4.1

Terms of Reference Update

Presented by: Mike Seabourne - Director, Public Transport (BOPRC)

Key Points:

· Jess Andrew - Regional Manager System Design (Waikato Bay of Plenty) was introduced as the newly appointed non-voting member for Waka Kotahi as a result of the amendment to the Terms of Reference.

4.2

Willow Street Buses Update

Presented by: Ollie Haycock - Director, Public Transport (BOPRC)

Key Points:

· BOPRC staff had rectified the Willow Street bus layover issue within five working days of the previous meeting and continued to monitor the area, a high level of driver compliance had been seen

· Additional driver facilities had been secured, and a letter sent to all drivers to inform them of the change

· Noted that a minimum of 11 layover spots were required within close proximity to the CBD interchange

· Conscious of the on-going civic redevelopment, and noted the need for advance notice and alternative spaces to be given by TCC if layover spaces became unavailable due to construction.

5. Reports

5.1

Chairperson's Report

Presented by: Mike Seabourne – Director, Public Transport and Ollie Haycock – Manager, Transport Planning

Key Points:

· National Ticketing Solution (NTS):

o As BOPRC was a participant in this national project, there was no ability to influence the roll-out programme or timeline

o There would be an opportunity for lessons learnt from the inaugural roll-out in Canterbury

· The Tauranga Network Refresh project had been paused:

o Recent changes and contract constraints had significantly increased the projected cost, staff had attempted to identify smaller changes to be implemented, but was unable to do so within an acceptable budget

o Submitters would be informed of the delay

o The new timeline was expected to be 2024, with incremental changes to the network

· The Tauranga on-demand trial was on track to go live in March 2024

· Security update - behind the scenes work was on-going and reactionary as incidents occurred.

Key Points - Members:

· Suggested mode shift targets (as set out in the Regional Public Transport Plan) be made available and reported on. This would track whether mode shift was due to reach the long term targets, and if not, initiatives could be adjusted accordingly

· As BOPRC was currently in their Long Term Plan 2024-34 process, with a focus on finding efficiencies, a network refresh should achieve cost savings not substantial increases.

In Response to Questions:

· Patronage numbers were increasing

· Network reliability was improving, due in part to the increased driver numbers, although congestion was now the key issue/challenge to reliability.

Resolved

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

1 Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

von Dadelszen/Selwood

CARRIED

Information Only

5.2

Joint Public Transport Committee Update Report

Presented by: Matthew Kilpatrick – Senior Transport Planner (BOPRC), Oliver Haycock – Manager, Transport Planning (BOPRC) and
Brendan Bisley – Director of Transport (TCC)

Key Points:

· The next parking charge area roll out had been delayed until February 2026

· Signalisation of Brown Street:

o Consultation had closed

o Network efficiency would be balanced with addressing community concerns

o Brown Street junction at peak caused the longest delays on the bus network, bus priority at that intersection would be investigated

· Accessible streets:

o Transitional cycle lane options and locations, similar to those used by Wellington City Council, were being explored. Noted transitional cycle lanes were not temporary

o Trial cycle lanes allowed changes to be made and tested in a more affordable, efficient manner

o TCC was working closely with Waka Kotahi on this project

· Cameron Road Stage 1 was due to be completed by the end of the year. Turning movements at 3^rd, 6^th and 9^th Avenues were to be reinstated to allow east/west movement.

Key Points - Members:

· Suggested the Transport Emissions Reduction analysis be dovetailed into the current VKT/TSP work

· Acknowledge the extent of work currently taking place and the professional working relationship between TCC and BOPRC staff and Councils.

Resolved

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

1 Receives the report, Joint Public Transport Committee Update Report.

Thompson/Selwood

CARRIED

6. Public Excluded Section

Resolved

Resolution to exclude the public

1 Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting as set out below:

Item No.	Subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Grounds under Section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution	When the item can be released into the public
6.1	Public Excluded Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes - 16 August 2023	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	To remain in public excluded.
6.2	Park and Ride Update	Withholding the information is necessary to enable any local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(h).	On the Chief Executive's approval.
6.3	Projects Update	Withholding the information is necessary to enable any local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(h).	On the Chief Executive's approval.
6.4	Tauranga City Centre Movement Plan	Withholding the information is necessary to enable any local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(h).	On the Chief Executive's approval.
6.5	Cameron Road Stage 2	Withholding the information is necessary to enable any local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(h).	At the conclusion of the business case.

von Dadelszen/Thompson

CARRIED

5:13 pm – the meeting closed.

Confirmed

Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Chairperson, Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee



Report To:	Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee
Meeting Date:	5 December 2023
Report Authoriser:	Mike Seabourne – Director, Public Transport (BOPRC)

Chairperson's Report

Executive Summary

This report highlights matters of interest that the Committee Chair considers to be relevant to the business of the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee.

The report includes updates on:

· National Ticketing Solution Update, CERF and bus driver terms and conditions update, Tauranga bus network refresh, Tauranga On-Demand Trial, and a security update.

Recommendations

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint 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

2.1.1 National Ticketing Solution (NTS) Update

Recent update: The tentative ‘go live’ date is now mid-2025.

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 Super Gold 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.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Transport Operations.

· A tentative ‘Go Live’ date is presently Mid 2025.

2.1.2 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).

We are progressing discussions 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. If approved by Waka Kotahi funding will be backdated to 1 November 2022.

2.1.3 Tauranga Bus Network Refresh

The Tauranga Bus Network Refresh is planned for the new financial year with funding being sought through the Long-Term Plan forecasting process for this to commence in 2024.

2.1.4 Tauranga – On Demand Trial

Recent milestone:

· An operator has been procured to for the On-Demand trial.

· ‘Special locations’ are being identified within this trial catchment area as possible ‘go to’ points for passengers, i.e Grace Hospital.

Patronage on some traditional public transport services in Tauranga is relatively low, particularly at off-peak times. To better understand how an on-demand service can complement and/or replace fixed public transport towards increasing patronage, Bay of Plenty Regional Council intend to commence an 18-month trial of an on-demand transport solution in Tauranga South.

The defined area includes Pyes Pā, The Lakes, Greerton, Gate Pā and Tauranga city south of 17^th Avenue.

Key destination within this area are Tauranga Hospital, Grace Hospital, Tauranga Crossing, Fraser Cove and Greerton Library.

The Tauranga On-Demand Project will plan and implement a service that provides better access to public transport, enhancing the quality of the bus service for current users and encouraging non-users to utilise the bus network.

The Transport Operations Group are preparing to support this project with an expected Go Live date being early March 2024.

2.1.5 Security Update

The Regional Council Operations Team continue to monitor incidents that occur across the public transport network daily. Staff liaise regularly with our bus operators, Tauranga City Council and Nutech security who provide regular updates on security matters because of their deployment to key locations.

Security staff continue to note a regular flow of incidents occurring on the network involving inebriated persons as well as poor behaviour by some young people.

Transport Operations have reviewed the security services for Tauranga and are renewing a contract for security deployment however this has been tweaked to reflect changes in demand. Toi Moana remain connected with school management in the setting of expectations of behaviour on the network.

Several actions are planned for Tauranga’s CBD under a Tauranga City Council led Safe City kaupapa which will significantly improve safety and will create an improved sense of security through a coordinated approach, in partnership with other teams: i.e. Kaitiaki Ambassadors, Māori Wardens and Police.

With incidents decreasing at the Durham Street interchange and the launch of a new safe city initiative by Tauranga City Councill, Toi Moana will continue to review the contracted services provided within the Tauranga CBD.

2.1.6 Tauranga City Council Updates

· Progress is being made with priority TSP business cases for projects such as Hewlett’s Rd sub-area (Waka Kotahi led), 15th/Hairini Causeway/Welcome Bay Road, Area B Innovating Streets and Cameron Rd Stage 2. Engagement with the community and stakeholders is underway and the business cases are on track for delivery in late 2023 or early 2024.

· The construction of the Takitimu North Link (TNL) project by Waka Kotahi is now underway. The operational matters of the potential for tolling, how managed lanes are to be provided and the revocation of the existing SH2 are still to be progressed by Waka Kotahi.

· The Tauriko Enabling Works Business Case was endorsed by both Tauranga City Council and by Waka Kotahi Board. Waka Kotahi are leading the delivery phase including consenting, property acquisition and construction project. Tendering of the construction contract is expected to occur later in 2023.

· The CBD PT SSBC is considering alternate options to the previously proposed Willow Street super-stop to understand implications for service delivery and co-funding.

· The Area B project is working through the final recommended option for submission to Waka Kotahi.

· Cameron Road Stage 1 is progressing, with construction now in the final stages.

· Work is progressing on the park and ride trial in Papamoa. Funding has been secured from Waka Kotahi to undertake further study on this facility and service integration.



Report To:	Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee
Meeting Date:	5 December 2023
Report Writer:	Matthew Kilpatrick, Senior Transport Planner
Report Authoriser:	Michael Seabourne, Director, Public Transport
Purpose:	Provide an update on the progress of the business case and seeks endorsement of the preferred option.

Public Transport Services and Infrastructure Business Case – Emerging Preferred Option

Executive Summary

The Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport Services and Infrastructure Business Case will identify the case for change for the sub-region’s public transport system by developing a preferred service model and identifying the infrastructure required to support it. The business case will identify both a short term (10 year) and a longer term (30 year) improvement programme.

This report aims to provide a general update about this business case, as well as seek endorsement on a recommended services and infrastructure option following the Short List Workshop on 31 October 2023.

This report will be supplemented by a presentation to the Committee to provide further context.

Recommendations

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

1 Receives the report, Public Transport Services and Infrastructure Business Case – Emerging Preferred Option;

2 Endorses the emerging preferred option identified by the Public Transport Services and Infrastructure Business Case.

1. Background

The Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport Services and Infrastructure business case is a single-stage business case seeking to determine and fund the preferred future services and infrastructure. This integrated services and infrastructure business case was identified as a requirement under the Transport System Plan (TSP) in order to achieve the Urban Form and Transport Initiative’s (UFTI) Connected Centres Programme.

To support this work, a Public Transport Reference Case was developed in 2022, which identified the preferred service model for future fixed route bus services in the Western Bay sub-region. It is a hybrid model designed to limit the number of bus services that terminate in Tauranga’s CBD.

The hybrid service model provides a high frequency of service and has taken into consideration customer preference for longer routes which reduce the need to transfer between services. The service model was designed with close collaboration with the project partners Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Previous briefings and updates include the following:

· A briefing on the Hybrid Network Model was presented to members of the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee on 22 August 2022

· An update on the project and creation of the Hybrid Network Model was provided to the Public Transport Committee on 22 September 2022

· The Hybrid Network Model was endorsed by the TSP Governance Group in October 2022.

· A project update paper, focussed on the long listed options, was provided to the Tauranga Joint Public Transport Committee on 16 August 2023.

Figure 1 - Future Public Transport Hybrid Network Model

2. Project Scope and Progress to Date

2.1 Project Scope

The scope of this business case is to identify and explore routes, frequencies and interchange points for the fixed route bus network identified in the future hybrid service model. For infrastructure, this business case is to identify physical improvements to support future services. This business case has a 10-year horizon with a 30-year outlook. Customer focus is at the heart of this business case.

Ferries and passenger trains are out of scope. Travel demand management (TDM), parking strategies, and bus fares are integral for a successful public transport service, however these are being addressed through other projects and are therefore out of scope for this business case.

2.2 Progress to Date – Overview

The following progress has been made on this project since the last update was provided to the Tauranga Joint Public Transport Committee:

· Targeted engagement with Iwi / Hapu Representatives via Te Rangapū (Tauranga Moana), Te Ihu o te Waka o te Arawa (Western Bay Iwi Forum), Te Kāhui Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana (Western Bay Iwi Forum) and the Combined Tāngata Whenua Forum.

· Update to Western Bay Councillors on 4 July 2023

· Short List Options Workshop held on 31 October 2023

· Reporting to the TSP Programme Managers Group on 10 November 2023 on the Emerging Preferred Option from the Short List Options Workshop

· Community Leaders Forum (CLF) – targeted engagement through a group of wider stakeholders via email correspondence and two meetings held on 10 November 2023 and 16 November 2023.

2.3 Short List Workshop – Overview and Options

A short list options workshop was held with project partners and Iwi / Hapu representatives on 31 October 2023. The purpose of the workshop was to share potential high-level network infrastructure options with attendees and find agreement on the proposed recommended option to take forward. An assessment of potential park and ride locations was also included in the workshop.

All options included the hybrid service model as previous work during the long list stage showed that the current service model will not be fit for purpose in the future if public transport is to take on a bigger role in moving people around the sub-region.

The options consisted of three key infrastructure options:

· Infrastructure Option 1 – Hybrid Services + Comprehensive Priority:

Provides the most comprehensive & network-wide priority for buses and travelling passengers to enable the greatest travel time/journey time reliability benefits. Assumed busway (segregated section of road for buses only with high levels of bus priority) along Tauriko to Arataki Corridor and key corridors.

· Infrastructure Option 2 – Hybrid Services + Priority for Key Journeys

Provides greater bus priority for key journeys occurring across the Western Bay by prioritising infrastructure on Cameron Road (& Routes Bx, D, A, F, K). General traffic lane reallocation on key corridors.

· Infrastructure Option 3 – Hybrid Services + Targeted Priority

Provides targeted priority where there is the greatest need/demand. Kerbside road space re-allocation along key corridors.

All options are proposing significant interventions along the Tauriko to Arataki Corridor, and in the long term over and above the current and planned Cameron Road level of PT priority and potentially for Hewletts Road. However, current plans are aligned to those future long-term options and can be seen as a stepping stone.

2.4 Short List Workshop – Scoring of Options

As part of the business case process, each of the short list options were scored against both the project’s investment objectives and critical success factors respectively. Attendees at the workshop were then asked to provide feedback on the scoring of the critical success factors to ensure the scoring was accurate and true. Scoring agreed is shown below:

2.5 Short List Workshop – Findings and Emerging Preferred Option

Option 1 scored most strongly against the Investment Objectives and on balance the Critical Success Factors on both the weighted and unweighted assessment. The provision of the highest levels of bus priority (in the form of a busway along the key Tauriko-CBD-Arataki corridor) allows the PT system to provide customers with the highest level of reliability as well as shorter journey times.

Selected Information (2048)	Do Minimum	Option 1	Option 2	Option 3
Papamoa to CBD travel time (mins)	33	16	23	27
PT trips across Harbour Bridge (all day)	1000	1800	1500	1500
Total Daily PT Trips	21500	33700	31727	31600

However, Option 1 has the greatest cost and affordability implications and will require significant trade-offs over the transport system, in particular with respect to private vehicles. The modelling work has shown that some suppression of general traffic results in greater use of PT compared to when there is no suppression i.e. carrot and stick work better than carrot alone.

Each option has technical issues to overcome in terms of deliverability, with Option 1 being the most challenging to implement. However, no fatal flaws were identified, and all options can be staged over time to assist with delivery and funding.

All these options will have community and social acceptance considerations to work through and the value for money of all the options is low when assessed using Waka Kotahi’s standard cost benefit analysis.

As Option 1 delivers the strongest benefits and contribution toward the Investment Objectives and is a feasible long-term option i.e., what we should be aiming for by 2048, it has been identified to be taken forward as the basis of the emerging preferred option.

More detailed work on the emerging preferred option is now underway and a 10-year implementation plan will now be developed. Where infrastructure improvements proposed overlap with existing business cases, an expected “level of service” for PT will be provided to those business cases to deliver. This does not necessarily mean delivery of a ‘busway’ now, but the ability of the corridor to moving the required buses along its length to agreed reliable journey times over time. The emerging preferred option confirms the future long-terms aspirations for corridors and seeks to ensure that current work does not preclude the reaching of 2048 goals. Most of the short to medium term priority infrastructure improvements will be delivered through existing business cases currently underway. The emerging preferred option also identifies the infrastructure gaps in the public transport network that are not covered by existing business case projects which will need to be progressed as per the 10-year implementation plan.

2.6 Park and Ride

A park and ride (P&R) technical assessment has been undertaken as part of this project to understand whether this service operation could compliment the future public transport network. This is a further exploration of the initial work undertaken by UFTI, which identified a number of P&R locations for further technical investigations.

A total of four short list sites were reviewed and tested including Ōmokoroa, Domain Road, Te Puna, and Tauriko. The technical analysis has highlighted shortfalls across each of the P&R sites for several reasons including:

· Trips via P&R being longer than private vehicle

· Taking trips off the urban fixed network (i.e., people drive to P&R site rather than catch a bus directly into the CBD)

· High costs and constructability issues

It is noted that there may be other strategic reasons to introduce P&R, but it would require the introduction/review of measures such as parking policy/fares etc to ensure success.

2.7 Community Leaders Forum (CLF)

This business case has set out to provide project partners with a “roadmap” on how to deliver a future fit PT system. It will be some years before delivery and therefore engaging with key stakeholders via a Community Leaders Forum has been an important step as part of the business vase. This engagement has been in response to Councillor feedback received at the previous Joint PT Committee meeting.

Although much of the technical work has been based on previous on and ongoing feedback through bus user and non-user surveys, work undertaken to date has been tested with this Community Leaders Forum set up specifically for this business case. The key feedback received reinforced the need to consider the customer (especially the high proportion of elderly people in the sub-region), the other elements that help encourage people to use PT such as location of public toilets and the importance of reliable journey times. The Community Leader Forum acknowledged there are some hard trade-offs to be made and bringing the community on board with what needs to be done is going to be critical to achieving the goals. Discussions have been ongoing with the TSP Programme team to understand how future engagement with the wider public can be aligned and progressed together.

3. Considerations

3.1 Risks and Mitigations

Project partners are working well together and there is good engagement with existing business cases. The main risk for the business case is around deliverability of the emerging preferred option in particular:

· community acceptance of the need to reallocate road space to PT

· the need for other supporting measures such as Travel Demand Management (TDM) measures, parking policy changes etc

· being able to align partner work programmes (and funding) to ensure service and infrastructure improvements can be implemented together

the availability of future funding via the National Land Transport Fund. These risks are being worked through the management, financial and commercial cases of the business case but will also require ongoing oversight at the TSP programme level.

3.2 Implications for Māori

No negative implications are identified for Māori. The project team are working closely with mana whenua including representatives from Te Rangapū, Te Arawa ki Tai and Te Kāhui Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana. They have told us that they are supportive of improved public transport services in particular to marae and papakainga.

3.3 Community Engagement

Due to the high-level nature of this business case, no community engagement has been undertaken on the business case to date. However, discussions have been underway with the wider TSP team to consider a combined engagement process in 2024 particularly as this would allow a stronger narrative to be shared around the role and importance of PT in delivering the goals of TSP and UFTI.

3.4 Alignment with Strategic Framework

This business case aligns with Toi Moana’s strategic framework.

3.5 Financial Implications

There are no financial implications associated with the resolutions sought in this paper, as the business case is still in draft.

There are likely to be significant financial implications on all project partners however the business case work to date is currently focussed on 2048. At this stage, the emerging preferred option (Hybrid Services + Comprehensive Priority) has estimated future likely costs to be approximately $3.2bn over 25 years (of which $1.8bn is for infrastructure improvements and $1.4bn related to opex costs to implement and run the hybrid service model).

Further work is underway to develop the 10-year implementation programme and once this is completed, financial implications will be better understood. It should be noted that a significant proportion of the 10-year infrastructure costs will be delivered by existing business cases (and not in addition to).

4. Next Steps

The project team will continue progressing the business case with an expected completion date of February 2024. The key next steps are as follows:

· Confirm the 10-year implementation programme based on the emerging preferred option

· Develop the management, financial and commercial cases in conjunction with project partners

· Business case to be finalised by February 2024

· Seek adoption by partner organisations

· Public engagement via TSP in 2024

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Short list options ⇩



Report To:	Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee
Meeting Date:	5 December 2023
Report Writer:	Matthew Kilpatrick, Senior Transport Planner (BOPRC) and Tom McEntyre, Team Leader - Transport Development (TCC)
Report Authoriser:	Michael Seabourne, Director, Public Transport
Purpose:	To provide the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee with an update on the current progress, next steps and identified risks with key transport projects.

Joint PT Committee Projects Update

Executive Summary

This report outlines the progress being made in relation to key projects that Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) are leading and that are important to progressing public transport aligned to the direction provided by the Urban Form and Transport Initiative (UFTI) and the Western Bay of Plenty Transport System Plan. The report also provides an update on key projects that Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency are leading which have a significant public transport component and which Tauranga City are involved.

Recommendations

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

1 Receives the report, Joint PT Committee Projects Update.

1. Tauranga City Council Projects

Of specific note relevant to Tauranga City Council led projects are:

(a) Progress is being made with priority TSP business cases for projects such as Hewlett’s Rd sub-area (Waka Kotahi led), 15^th/Hairini Causeway/Welcome Bay Road, Area B Innovating Streets and Cameron Rd Stage 2. Engagement with the community and stakeholders is underway and the business cases are on track for delivery in late 2023 or early 2024.

(b) The construction of the Takitimu North Link (TNL) project by Waka Kotahi is now underway. The operational matters of the potential for tolling, how managed lanes are to be provided and the revocation of the existing SH2 are still to be progressed by Waka Kotahi.

(c) The Tauriko Enabling Works Business Case was endorsed by both Tauranga City Council and by Waka Kotahi Board. Waka Kotahi are leading the delivery phase including consenting, property acquisition and construction project. Tendering of the construction contract is expected to occur later in 2023.

(d) The CBD PT SSBC is considering alternate options to the previously proposed Willow Street super-stop to understand implications for service delivery and co-funding.

(e) The Area B project is working through the final recommended option for submission to Waka Kotahi.

(f) Cameron Road Stage 1 is progressing, with construction now in the final stages.

(g) Work is progressing on the park and ride trial in Papamoa. Funding has been secured from Waka Kotahi to undertake further study on this facility and service integration.

2. Bay of Plenty Regional Council Projects

Of specific note relevant to Bay of Plenty Regional Council led projects are:

(a) The BOP Regional Land Transport Plan Review is progressing accordingly, with the RTC having agreed most of the strategic framework (e.g., vision, objectives, headline targets) and prioritisation process agreed in August 2023. The RTC will discuss the prioritised work programme at a workshop and meeting on the 15^th December 2023.

(b) The Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport Services and Infrastructure Business Case will identify the case for change in the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region’s public transport system by supporting the preferred service model and identifying the supporting infrastructure. The business case will identify both a short term (10 year) and a longer term (30 year) improvement programme. This project is now at the shortlisting stage and is scheduled to complete in early 2024. A more detailed update on this project has been provided in a separate report.

(c) The Phase 2 refresh of the Tauranga Bus Network is paused. Staff will explore options to deliver elements of this project next year.

(d) The On Demand Public Transport Trial in Tauranga South is scheduled to go-live in March 2024. BOPRC staff have now completed all procurement activities.

(e) The Travel Demand Management and Behaviour Change Programme has completed its three scoping studies which have been endorsed / accepted by the Regional Transport Committee. This work is being further investigated with project partners. The Western BOP scoping study is currently being revisited in line with the requirements of the VKT Reduction Programme which is coordinated by TCC. Funding to support the rollout of the TDM programme will be requested through the RLTP.

(f) Work has completed on the feasibility study into passenger ferry services in Tauranga and the Western Bay. The findings of this study were reported to the Public Transport Committee on 14 November, where it was resolved that any further investigations into Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty ferry services be deferred until the development of 2027 long terms plans and the 2027-30 National Land Transport Programme. The key finding of the study were as follows:

I. There are significant cost barriers to ferries, including significant capital investment in vessels and infrastructure, for areas where the level of growth is unlikely to justify such investment for a mode that is only useful to travel to a single destination.

II. In the short to medium term, it would seem prudent to continue the work already underway to make best use of the existing bus based public transport network supported by appropriate levels of priority and infrastructure.

III. The option of future ferry services should be preserved, with the ongoing monitoring of appropriate triggers for the viability of implementing a ferry service.

3. Alignment with Strategic Framework

‘The transportation projects covered in this report are framed under the strategic direction of SmartGrowth and UFTI, the Western Bay of Plenty Transport System Plan and the Councils Long-Term Plans.’

4. Next Steps

The TSP partners continue to progress the projects and workstreams identified in this update report.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Projects update - Joint PT Committee ⇩