BREAKING: “World-class transport operators” are now invited to register their interest for the last remaining NSW Government-controlled bus regions, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has announced.
The tenders are for operating bus services on behalf of the NSW Government on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, North Shore, northern and eastern suburbs, it confirms.
“We are looking for world-class operators with significant experience delivering transport services,” said a TfNSW spokesperson.
“From today, operators interested in delivering these vital services for customers can register on the Government’s eTenders website to receive background information that will help them prepare for when the tender process kicks off,” they explained.
“Already, private operators run services for the NSW Government in 11 of our 14 bus regions in the Sydney Metropolitan area. Franchising the three remaining bus regions currently operated by State Transit will mean better services and better value for money for taxpayers,” they added.
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SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS
The tender process will seek to deliver service improvements such as higher frequency and more convenient services for customers throughout the day and into the evening, as well as improved real-time information to allow customers to better plan their journeys and connect with other transport modes, states TfNSW.
The process will also be an opportunity to identify innovative approaches and establish relationships to drive continuous service improvements over the years to come, it adds.
While still to be finalised, it is proposed that the first region to go to tender will be Region 8 in the middle of June, 2020, followed by Region 7 in August and Region 9 in November, it explains.
As part of this process, the government will retain control of all assets including buses and depots, and continue to be responsible for setting fares and regulating routes, TfNSW states.
FUTURE SERVICES
In addition to the remaining State Transit regions, all bus contracts in the Sydney Metropolitan area – with the exception of Region 6 – will be put out to tender over the next few years with the process to investigate new and innovative ways to deliver services for customers, says TfNSW.
Prospective tenderers can apply to access the background information on the upcoming tenders via the NSW Government eTenders website.
Photography: Fabian Cotter