A public transport network that provides better access to employment, education and services is in the works for Tasmania
The Tasmanian Department of State Growth has been undertaking consultation with bus operators, key stakeholder groups and councils on possible changes to the general access public transport network.
As part of the consultation with councils, some councils have identified interested community groups who they have asked the department to talk to.
Over the coming months the department will be undertaking consultation with those community groups identified by councils.
Existing contracts for public transport bus services including student only services begin expiring in early 2018.
Contracts can run for a maximum of ten years, which places a legislative impediment to these contracts simply being renewed or extended.
A detailed review of all current services and service optimisation is underway to ensure that the most efficient and cost effective network of services is procured and opportunities for efficiencies identified.
The network review, called Project 18, will deliver the Government’s policy objective to provide a further five plus five year contract for incumbent operators, providing key performance conditions are met and there is an ongoing need for a particular service in a particular area.
It will also provide a consistent measure of performance across all bus contracts, greater incentives for operators to perform and importantly, better long-term service delivery for Tasmanian bus passengers.
There are about 150 individual bus operators who collectively hold 468 contracts for public transport bus services in the state, with all of these bus contracts reaching their ten year expiry between February 2018 and November 2019.
The majority of rural student only bus services expire between February and August 2018.
The majority of other bus services expire between October 2018 and June 2019.