Public Transport Committee Agenda

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the next meeting of the Public Transport Committee will be held in Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga on:

Wednesday 12 June 2024 COMMENCING AT 9:30 am

This meeting will be livestreamed and recorded.

The Public section of this meeting will be livestreamed and recorded and uploaded to Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website.  Further details on this can be found after the Terms of Reference within the Agenda. Bay of Plenty Regional Council - YouTube

 

Fiona McTavish

Chief Executive, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana

4 June 2024

 


Public Transport Committee

Membership

Chairperson

Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Deputy Chairperson

Cr Lyall Thurston

Members 

Cr Malcolm Campbell

Cr Jane Nees

Cr Ken Shirley

Cr Paula Thompson

External Members

Two Tauranga City Council representatives

 

 

One representative each:

Rotorua Lakes Council

 

Western Bay of Plenty District Council

 

 

Whakatāne District Council

 

All of whom are voting members.

 

One Waka Kotahi NZTA non-voting representative

 

Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Commissioner Bill Wasley

 

 

 

Cr Conan O’Brien

Mayor Tania Tapsell (Alternate)

 

 

 

Mayor James Denyer

Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour (Alternate)

 

Cr Andrew Iles

Cr Gavin Dennis (Alternate)

 

 

 

Susan Collins

Sarah Roberts (Alternate)

Ex Officio

Chairman Doug Leeder

Quorum

Six members, consisting of more than half the number of voting members of which four must be BOPRC members

Meeting frequency

Quarterly

Purpose

Set the strategic and operational direction for approved Regional Council public transport policy and strategy, and monitor how it is implemented.

Role

·             Prepare and review the Bay of Plenty Regional Public Transport Plan.

·             Implement, monitor and review operational public transport policy and plans.

·             Implement, monitor and review the Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport Implementation Plan.

·             Advocate for public transport with NZTA, territorial authorities and central government.

·             Set and monitor targets for public transport in the region.

·             Receive reporting on the performance of the Passenger Transport Activity.

·             In coordination with the work programme of the Regional Transport Committee, guide and review the public transport components of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and make recommendations to Regional Transport Committee for incorporation into the RLTP.

Power to Act

To make all decisions necessary to fulfil the role and scope of the committee subject to the limitations imposed.

Power to Recommend

To Council and/or any standing committee as it deems appropriate.

The Public Transport Committee reports to the Regional Council.


 

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.

 


Bay of Plenty Regional Council - Toi Moana

Governance Commitment

mō te taiao, mō ngā tāngata - our environment and our people go hand-in-hand.

 

 

We provide excellent governance when, individually and collectively, we:

·       Trust and respect each other

·       Stay strategic and focused

·       Are courageous and challenge the status quo in all we do

·       Listen to our stakeholders and value their input

·       Listen to each other to understand various perspectives

·       Act as a team who can challenge, change and add value

·       Continually evaluate what we do

 

 

TREAD LIGHTLY, THINK DEEPLY,
ACT WISELY, SPEAK KINDLY, JOURNEY TOGETHER.


Public Transport Committee                                                                                          12 June 2024

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

Agenda

1.       Apologies

2.       Public Forum

Carol Gordon – CG Consulting: Community Transport Option

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       Public Transport Committee Minutes - 12 March 2024                                                                                              4

Minutes to be Received

7.2       Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes 4

8.       Presentations

8.1       Public Transport Tuatoru Arotake Q3, 2023/24 Performance Monitoring Report

Presented by: Simon Bell - Transport Operations Team Lead

Attachment 1 - 5179 PT Arotake Q3 2023-24 Final                 4

9.       Reports

9.1       Chairperson's Report                                                        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 Public Transport Committee Minutes - 12 March 2024

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

To remain in public excluded.

10.2

CBD Bus Layover – Options Paper (to be distributed under a separate cove)r

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.

10.3

Tauranga Harbour Ferry Proposal – Hauraki Express – Options Paper (to be distributed under a separate cover)

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.

 

Minutes to be Confirmed

10.1    Public Excluded Public Transport Committee Minutes - 12 March 2024

Decisions Required

10.2    CBD Bus Layover – Options Paper

This item will be distributed under a separate cover.

10.3    Tauranga Harbour Ferry Proposal – Hauraki Express – Options Paper

This item will be distributed under a separate cover.

11.     Public Excluded Business to be Transferred into the Open

12.     Readmit the Public

13.     Consideration of Items not on the Agenda


 Public Transport Committee Minutes

12 March 2024

 

Public Transport Committee

Open Minutes

Commencing:               Tuesday 12 March 2024, 9:30 am

Venue:                           Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga and via Zoom

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

Deputy Chairperson:   Cr Lyall Thurston - BOPRC

Members:                      Cr Jane Nees – BOPRC (via Zoom)

Cr Paula Thompson – BOPRC (via Zoom)

Cr Malcolm Campbell - BOPRC

Cr Ken Shirley - BOPRC

Cr Gavin Dennis (Alternate) – Whakatāne District Council (WDC)

Commissioner Stephen Selwood – Tauranga City Council (TCC)

Cr Conan O'Brien – Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) (via Zoom)

Mayor Tania Tapsell (Alternate) – RLC (via Zoom)

Mayor James Denyer – Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC)

Sarah Roberts (Alternate) – NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (Waka Kotahi) (via Zoom)

In Attendance:             Cr Ron Scott – BOPRC; Cr Kat Macmillan – BOPRC (via Zoom); Sarah Hiestand – Waka Kotahi (via Zoom); Mike Seabourne – Director, Public Transport; Oliver Haycock – Manager, Transport Planning; Stuart Nightingale – Manager, Transport Operations; Jamie Hall – Manager, Transport Programme Delivery; Bron Healey – Principal Advisor, Transport; Mary Norris – Transport Advisor (Total Mobility); Gemma Wiltshire - Summer Assistant, Accessible Transport; Claudia Cameron – Committee Advisor

Apologies:                      Chairman Doug Leeder (Ex-Officio) - BOPRC, Susan Collins - Waka Kotahi, Cr Andrew Iles – WDC

Minute Note: This meeting was livestreamed and recorded and can be accessed on the BOPRC YouTube channel: Public Transport Committee - 12 March 2024 (youtube.com)

 

1.     Chairperson's Opening Statement

The Chair opened the meeting and reminded members that the meeting was being livestreamed and recorded. The new member for Waka Kotahi, Susan Collins was noted and those present were advised there would be an opportunity to view on-demand buses and meet with representatives from Ritchies and Mercury Energy during morning tea.

2.     Apologies

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1       Accepts the apology from Chairman Doug Leeder, Susan Collins and Cr Andrew Iles tendered at the meeting.

Campbell/Selwood

CARRIED

3.     Order of Business

Item 9.5 would be heard after Item 9.2 to accommodate member availability.

4.     Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

5.     Minutes

Minutes to be Confirmed

5.1

Public Transport Committee Minutes - 14 November 2023

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1         Confirms the Public Transport Committee Minutes - 14 November 2023 as a true and correct record.

Shirley/von Dadelszen

CARRIED

6.     Presentations

6.1

Public Transport Arotake Tuarua (Q2) Performance Monitoring Report 2023/24

Presentation: Public Transport Arotake Tuarua (Q2) Performance Monitoring Report 2023/14: Objective ID A4624002   

Presented by: Stuart Nightingale – Manager, Transport Operations

 

In Response to Questions:

·    Anticipated a continuation of Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) funding for Total Mobility in the upcoming Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS)

·    Missed trips made up only 2.7% out of 73,000 scheduled trips, noted a higher number on the more frequent and longer trips

·    Fare box recovery had improved over the last three years, staff were awaiting a target for this from Waka Kotahi

·    Data was from two quarters earlier, however current information was included in the BOPRC Long Term Plan (LTP) documents.

9.47 am - Sarah Roberts withdrew from the meeting (via Zoom).

·    Multiple factors impacted patronage, including congestion, fare prices, reliability and urban growth. Waka Kotahi tracked national network data which provided context

·    Mode share changes were surveyed but not tracked in real time

·    A fare review was scheduled for late 2024.

Key Points - Members:

·    A better understanding of mode shift to other transport means as well as buses could allow a better understanding of behaviour change

·    Encouraged staff to publicise the increase in patronage numbers.

10.00 am - Sarah Roberts entered the meeting (via Zoom).

7.     Reports

7.1

Chairperson's Report

Tabled Document 1 - Staff Briefing Note - Draft GPS on Land Transport - 05 March 2024: Objective ID A4624005   

Presented by: Mike Seabourne – Director, Public Transport; Oliver Haycock – Manager, Transport Planning; Jamie Hall – Manager, Transport, Programme Delivery

Key Points:

·    Tabled the document Staff Briefing Note - Draft GPS on Land Transport - 05 March 2024 to be read in conjunction with the GPS

·    Members were encouraged to make submissions to the GPS via the Regional Transport Committee.

10.07 am – Mayor Tapsell withdrew from the meeting (via Zoom).

In Response to Questions:

·    A full review of school services, and their integration/separation from the network was targeted for completion at the end of 2024 and would dove tail with the fare review

·    School service capacity had been increased in 2023, and those increases had been carried through into 2024, school service contracts had a 2+2 year extension provision

·    Staff had worked with education providers to anticipate roll numbers, with capacity provided at just below anticipated demand to accommodate the winter demand drop

·    Tauranga phase 2 refresh was subject to BOPRC LTP and Regional Land Transport Plan (RLPT) funding, although staff continued to look for in-budget changes to increase efficiency.

Key Points - Members:

·    Expressed concern at the lack of integration between the LTP, GPS and fares reports, but acknowledged staff were responding to external changes from central government

·    Highlighted the need to ensure the community were aware of the changes to the fixed route during the on-demand trial and emphasised the need for education around how to access the service

·    Urged the prioritisation of network refreshes, in particular to leverage the Cameron Road investment to increase patronage.

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1         Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

von Dadelszen/Campbell

CARRIED

 

10.30 am – the meeting adjourned.

11.10 am – the meeting reconvened.

Decisions Required

7.2

Regional Public Transport Plan 2022-32 - Draft Action Plan

Presentation: BOP Regional Public Transport Plan - Action Plan: Objective ID A4624012   

Presented by: Bron Healey – Principal Advisor, Transport

Key Points:

·    There would be regular reporting to this committee once the Plan was in place, along with a six yearly Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) review to coincide with the RLTP. There would also be 3 yearly technical reviews and, to reduce duplication, future RPTPs and the RLTPs would be consulted on simultaneously

·    Provided clarity around aspects which were excluded from implementation and the reasons why.

11.17 am – Mayor Tania Tapsell entered the meeting (via Zoom).

Response to Questions:

·    Acknowledged the need to integrate this Plan with the SmartGrowth Implementation and Funding Plan, the RLTP, TSP and the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee

·    There were resource constraints; allocation was subject to direction from this committee as the number of actions to allocate resources to was high.

11.21 am - Sarah Roberts entered the meeting (via Zoom).

Key Points - Members:

·    Noted WBOPDC had recently approved Plan Change 92 and Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS); transport links should be provided for new areas of increased development on a case by case basis

·    Supported a tiered approach to implementation and requested the work programme be brought to this committee which included timing, accountabilities and funding allocations to ensure sufficient implementation over planning

·    Acknowledged the 20% mode shift goal as aspirational based on consultation feedback, however measurable deliverability of realistic improvements was key.

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1       Receives the report, Regional Public Transport Plan 2022-32 - Draft Action Plan;

2       Approves the Bay of Plenty Regional Public Transport Plan 2022-32 – Action Plan, noting it is a living document, and directs staff to bring to the Public Transport Committee the implementation programme.

von Dadelszen/Selwood

CARRIED

 

7.3

Community Connect Decision Paper

Presented by: Jamie Hall – Manager, Transport Programme Delivery

Key Points:

·    Noted the change to the staff recommendations

·    There was a $1.9 million annual cost for youth concessions

·    Option 2 was in line with the draft GPS, the draft LTP and Regional Infrastructure Technical Specifications (RITS) consortium members.

In Response to Questions:

·    Clarified the position in the LTP was cost to council, not cost to user

·    Changes were required to the fare structure to remain within budget, current fares were based on the assumption of Waka Kotahi funding which was no longer available

·    The LTP was silent on fare levels, and fare structure did not make up part of the consultation questions.

Key Points - Members:

·    Noted the previous LTP had approved free fares at all times, and changes to free fares at peak times was due to behaviour on buses

·    Considered a decision of this scale should be via public consultation and not made at this time nor by the committee.

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1       Receives the report, Community Connect Decision Paper;

2       Supports Option 2: To revert to the pre-Community Connect Extension fares as the preferred option;

3       Recommends to Bay of Plenty Regional Council to implement the change by 1 May 2024 (as outlined in the report).

von Dadelszen/Shirley

Division

A division was called:

For

Campbell

Dennis

Selwood

Shirley

von Dadelszen

Against

Denyer

Nees

Tapsell

Thompson

Thurston

Abstained

Apologies

Iles

 

The Chairperson used his casting vote and the motion was CARRIED

 

Minute Note: Mayor Tanya Tapsell (alternate) voted on behalf of RLC as Cr Conan O'Brien was unable to participate due to technical issues.

 

 

12.07 pm – Cr Paula Thompson withdrew from the meeting (via Zoom).

7.4

Bay of Plenty Regional Tertiary Commuter Services

Presented by: Stuart Nightingale – Manager, Transport Operations

Key Points:

·    Sought consistency of fare structure by asking tertiary students to pay the same as they would on the main network

·    Had the 60% fare structure been adopted over the previous year, there would have been a $12,900 saving to BOPRC

·    Tertiary fares were subject to review during the fares review later in 2024

·    Did not recommend ceasing the tertiary service mid-way through school year.

In Response to Questions:

·    Tertiary service buses were in addition to the normal network and had a variation to the destination compared to the equivalent route in the main network

·    There was an opportunity to increase efficiencies through increased patronage via a communications campaign as the cost per passenger was comparatively high.

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1       Receives the report, Bay of Plenty Regional Tertiary Commuter Services;

2       Approves the retention of the Tertiary and Commuter services with a communication campaign to increase patronage;

3       Recommends to Bay of Plenty Regional Council the tertiary student fare be increased to 60% of the adult fare from 2025 to align with the urban service for these services subject to review during regular fare policy reviews.

Selwood/von Dadelszen

CARRIED

 

Cr Jane Nees, Cr Lyall Thurston and Cr Gavin Dennis opposed the motion and requested it be recorded in the minutes.

 

7.5

Public Transport Support for Special Events

Presented by: Bron Healey – Principal Advisor, Transport

Key Points:

·    Provided decision making criteria for when BOPRC supported special events with public transport

·    Agreeing to the decision making criteria completed an action in the RPTP

·    Highlighted the decision making diagram, to provide clear  guidance for staff when a request for service came through.

Key Points - Members:

·    Considered there should be a size of event consideration, and real life examples and outcomes would have been useful.

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1         Receives the report, Public Transport Support for Special Events;

2         Approves the decision-making criteria for providing public transport support for special events as shown in the Decision-making Criteria – Public Transport Support for Special Events section of the report.

Selwood/Denyer

CARRIED

Information Only

7.6

Total Mobility Review

Presentation: Total Mobility Survey Results 2024: Objective ID A4624019   

Presented by: Mary Norris – Transport Advisor (Total Mobility)  and Gemma Wiltshire - Summer Assistant, Accessible Transport, supported by Stuart Nightingale – Manager, Transport Operations

Key Points:

·    Client education regarding vehicle booking would improve speed of service

·    Hoped to encourage smaller providers to install hoists to increase fleet capacity, noting there were over 930 hoist users within the Total Mobility service

·    Introduced Gemma Wiltshire, Summer Assistant - Accessible Transport, who had compiled the survey, and highlighted the positive results

·    The service also helped people who were unwell or going through medical treatment

·    Noted smaller numbers of respondents could skew the overall results.

12.47 pm – Commissioner Stephen Selwood withdrew from the meeting.

In Response to Questions:

·    Acknowledged the need for smaller buses which could accommodate mobility scooters particularly in Kawerau/Whakatāne. However this required assessment through a network review as it would entail an asset change, which could be assisted by the survey data

·    A different hoist was required for mobility scooters, as the weight capacity was larger.

Key Points - Members:

·    Noted the increasing uptake of the Waka Eastern Bay service, and questioned whether the Whakatāne data required interlinking with Waka Eastern Bay usage data for a fuller picture

·    Noted the Totally Mobility usage and feedback was a good news story which should be shared.

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1          Receives the report, Total Mobility Review.

von Dadelszen/Dennis

CARRIED

 

7.7

Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes

 

Resolved

That the Public Transport Committee:

1       Receives the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes.

von Dadelszen/Thurston

CARRIED

 

8.     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:

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

8.1

Public Excluded Public Transport Committee Minutes - 14 November 2023

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

To remain in public excluded.

8.2

Public Excluded Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Minutes

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

To remain in public excluded.

von Dadelszen/Campbell

CARRIED

12.55 pm – the meeting closed.

 

 

Confirmed                                                                                                                   

                                                                                            Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Chairperson, Public Transport Committee


Public Transport Committee                                                                                12 June 2024

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Public Transport Committee                                                                                12 June 2024

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Report To:

Public Transport Committee

Meeting Date:

12 June 2024

Report Authoriser:

Oliver Haycock – Director, Public Transport

 

 

Chairperson's Report

 

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 Emerging Issues, Public Transport Performance - Arotake, Procurement, Passenger Experience, Network Development Planning, Policy and Planning, Fares - Revenue and Innovation.

 

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          Emerging Issues

2.2          Transport delivery programme

The Transport Team has developed a work programme and update Council through the annual plan process on the ramification of these changes. The transport team have identified six key work streams:

1.    Regional Planning – Preparation of statutory documents Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and Regional Passenger Transport Plan (RPTP) under the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA) 2003. Aligned

2.    Commercial and Contract Management – A series of activities to review and update procurement approaches, Contract terms and types in preparation for all our PT services contracts expiring over the 4 years.

3.    Revenue, funding and Investment planning – Projects that include a review of the fares and pricing of our PT services, Total Mobility and government policy. Aligned

4.    Service improvement programme – A programme of network “refreshes” across the region prioritised to input into the contract expiry dates, mentioned above. Will be reviewed for alignment.

5.    Business improvement programme – Projects to improve the way we operate targeting time and cost savings, improving the customer experience and improving our performance monitoring and technology updates.

6.    New services and products – Council approved projects to introduce new services like On Demand and or products like Travel choice programmes targeting increasing patronage and the Community Transport Forum.

2.3          Critical path workstream

The critical objective for the Transport team in the next 3 years is to successfully manage the contract renewals for our PT services and establish these services by 2028.

Apart from the statutorily required RLTP and RPTP processes these contract renewals are urgently required and no longer be delayed.

Contract renewals present an opportunity to deliver greatest change at the best price, due to competitive tendering and inversely, contract renewals represent an opportunity to de-scope operations, if required. It also creates an opportunity to reflect any type of policy, customer and or operations change to be included in the request for tender. There are 5 key steps in delivering this workstream:

 

1.    Understand customers’ needs.

2.    Design network based on demand and assess benefits and costs

3.    Plan and confirm commercial model and case for change.

4.    Procure new service.

5.    Transition into new service arrangement

2.3.1       Critical path projects to complete by 2028:

1.    Customer segmentation work – Underway

2.    Network planning review – Initiated

3.    Regional fares review – initiated

4.    Region wide “Network refreshes”  - Various status

a.    Tauranga Urban School Service - Initiated

b.    Eastern Bay - Initiated

c.    Rotorua Urban Bus Service – Complete[1]

d.    Waihi Beach connector (Route 85)

e.    Route 85 Waihi-Paeroa - Complete1

f.     Western Bay of Plenty Bus – Not started

g.    Tertiary School Service - Complete1

5.    Commercial review of PT contract form – not started.

6.    Commercial and Contract Management  - Procurement planning underway

7.    Delivery of the National Ticketing System – under way

2.3.2       Influential projects

These projects will require assessment regarding their priority and relevance to the critical workstreams above

1.    Bus decarbonisation study – feasibility complete

2.    Asset Ownership study – not started

3.    Transport Performance Management System – started

2.4          Commercial and Contract Management UPDATE

The Transport team have developed a draft procurement strategy and have created processes to ensure that contract procurement is carried out in a timely fashion and in adherence to best practice. Networking with other Public Transport Authorities has added value to how we shape-up the contract procurement process. Careful consideration is being to how we plan for contracts due to expire in the next few years.

We have commenced the first steps in developing a new, modern and fit-for-purpose transport services contract for use with potential operators.

2.5          Operations – Passenger Experience

2.5.1       Total Mobility

The Accessible Transport teams current focus has been on renewing the Total Mobility contracts.  Eleven operators submitted quotes with most current operators reapplying. However, the exciting news is that three new operators have expressed interest in the Whakatane area, which will fill a gap in the provision of our service there.

With evaluations complete, the team is moving into contract negotiations to finalise details such as fares and operating hours. The anticipated implementation of new contracts by June 1st, coupled with improved auditing and bi-annual meetings, promises enhanced transparency and efficiency in Total Mobility service operations.

2.6          Network Development Programme

2.6.1       Tauranga South On-Demand Trial - Update

The Baybus OnDemand service in Tauranga South started operating on 25 March.  Work is underway to identify a set of measures that will be reported on each month, including patronage and financial information.  Once collated, this information will be available on a monthly basis, with a more comprehensive report planned to be completed approximately half-way through the trial period.  A customer survey is being planned for late June.

These figures are correct as of 24 May:

·      Over 2,000 accounts have been created, with 20% of riders completing at least one ride, 16% taking two rides, and 8% of riders completing more than five rides.

·      Over 4,600 rides have been completed since the service started on 25 March.  Patronage has steadily increased over time, and at the time of writing the service was delivering approximately 760 completed rides per week. 

·      The electric vehicles have collectively travelled over 35,000km.

·      97% of all riders have been picked up at the agreed time, and 86% have been dropped off at the agreed time.

·      92% of riders who responded to a request to rate their ride gave it five stars (out of five).

·      95% of bookings are being made through the app rather than through the contact centre.

·      72% of riders are paying by Bee card, with the remainder paying by credit or debit card through the app.

·      Utilisation (completed rides per net driver hours) is increasing and recently hit a high of 3.5.  (Net driver hours excludes breaks).

 

2.6.2       Tauranga Phase 2 Refresh

Staff developed a plan to refresh bus routes in the Western suburbs of Tauranga in 2023, which included a public consultation exercise. The implementation of the network refresh was ultimately paused, as the operational cost of the new network exceeded the funding allocated to the project.

The higher costs were primarily due to the additional time required in timetables to make services reliable, due to the system-wide traffic congestion being experienced. The timetable therefore required a higher number of drivers and vehicles to operate.

Traffic congestion issues were not as systemic when the current timetable was last updated in 2021, with the situation reflecting the high volume of road work sites across the city.

Funding to progress this refresh was requested from BOPRC’s Long Term Plan (LTP) and the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).

2.6.3       Rotorua Refresh

The Central Government decision to cancel the Transport Choices funding package has led to this project being paused, while funding from other sources is sought (BOPRC’s Long Term Plan (LTP) and the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP)).

Should the project not be successful in achieving the funding required, staff will look to develop alternative proposals for the Committee’s consideration.

2.6.4       Eastern Bay Refresh

Staff have begun scoping a project to consider refreshing bus routes in the Eastern Bay. This work will progress over the course of 2024.

2.6.5       Western Bay Refresh

Staff will shortly begin scoping a project to consider refreshing bus routes in the Western Bay.

2.7          Policy and Planning Programme

2.7.1       Regional Land Transport Plan

The Draft Regional Land Transport Plan for 2024-2034 opened for public consultation on 23rd      of February and ran through to 24th of March. It was endorsed by the Regional Transport Committee and will now go to Regional Council for adoption.

2.8          Fares, Revenue and Innovation

2.8.1       Community Connect

This was the subject of LTP deliberations on the 28th of May and the recommendation of staff was accepted, to revert to the public transport funding model that existed before 1st July 2023.

2.8.2       Regional Fares Review

Staff are undergoing a scoping phase for this project to review public transport fares across the region. It is anticipated that this work will progress over the course of 2024.

 


 

2.9          Attachment – DRAFT - Work programme

 

Workstream

Project

Business Improvement

Accessibility Charter/Policy TM/AC

Bus user/non-user satisfaction results (action plan)

Bus Website Replacement (aka Baybus website refresh)

Develop AC/TM reporting process using PowerBI

Document Structure and Management

Flooding risk assessment project

GTFS Trillium System Improvement

National Ticketing System (NTS)

Operations Team operating model

PT Project GL Structure

PT Reporting Platform (PRP)

PTS Brand review

Ridewise 1 Refresh

RLTP dashboard

Strategic asset ownership feasibility

TMS Project

Update RPTP - new contract unit structure

Commercial & Contract Management

AC renewal process

CIA (Living Wage investigation)

Contract Extension - Waihi Beach connector (Route 85)

Contract KPI measurement (NZ Bus)

Develop Transport activity procurement strategy 2027

Process Improvement - Contract Variations

Ritchies (Rotorua) Bus Contract Extension

Route 85 Waihi-Paeroa extension

Total Mobility Contract renewal

Update Transport activity procurement strategy 2024 - SPTF

Update Transport activity procurement strategy 2024 - Tauranga tendering

New Service/ Product

Bus Fleet decarbonisation feasibililty study

Community Transport Forum

On Demand Transport Trial

Park & Ride - Tara Road

Passenger Rail

TERP/pathway

Travel Demand Management (TDM)

PT Service Improvement

Eastern Bay Network review/implementation

Ōmokoroa/Katikati network refresh

PT Services & Infrastructure BC

Rotorua Network Refresh

School Service Refresh

Tauranga CBD

Tauranga interchange permanent location

Tauranga Network refresh part 2

Regional Planning

Regional Speed Management Plan

RLTP development (2024-27)

RLTP/LTP activity planning

RPTP action/implementation plan

Revenue, Funding and Investment Planning

C4 (Community Connect Change Control)

LCLR programme improvements

Regional Fare Review

TM Fare Review

 

 



[1] Made need a minor review