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Minister for BusNSW summit

NSW transport minister to address delegates at the BusNSW Members Conference in Wollongong

The bus industry will have the ear of New South Wales (NSW) minister for transport and infrastructure Andrew Constance during the two-day 2016 Bus NSW Member Conference, which kicks off on April 14 in Wollongong.

With more than 200 delegates expected, this year’s conference will focus on sharing solutions, and the need for bus operators and suppliers to continually review business models and strive for excellence.

“New rural and regional contracts which are scheduled to commence just prior to the conference on 1 April 2016 and the renewal of outer-metropolitan contracts with incumbent operators are likely to feature,” BusNSW executive director Darryl Mellish says.

“The outer-metropolitan operators are looking for certainty to support their large scale investments on the back of strong performance under current short term metro style contracts that were benchmarked to ensure the NSW Government is getting value for money.”

Reforms to the school student transport scheme and the new bus procurement panel are also likely to be hot topics.

“There are a number of key accreditation, technical, and industrial relations matters currently impacting on all operators and suppliers which make this an important event for the entire industry,” Mellish says.

The conference will officially commence with the Volvo sponsored welcome party at the Novotel Wollongong on April 13.

“On the day prior to the conference, Wednesday 13th April, we are holding a rural and regional contract workshop to prepare members for new reporting, KPI and governance arrangements, and Transport for NSW has been invited to participate,” Mellish says.

 “We are very pleased that The Hon. Andrew Constance, MP, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure has agreed to attend and address delegates at a time when buses are at top of mind for the NSW Government, with a number of significant public transport projects in the pipeline” Mellish says.

Other high-profile speakers include representatives from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, and the Australian Public Transport Industrial Association.

The conference will conclude with an industry think tank looking at key issues for operators and suppliers including working in partnership with government agencies.

The conference dinner sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and Custom Coaches will take place in the Ballroom, with a Hollywood theme.

Those wanting to attend can register their interest via the BusNSW website.

Photography: Warren Keelan

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