Bus SA Annual Report to 30 June 2015 Welcome to the Bus and Coach Association SA Annual Report 2015

Board Board Members SA Councillor to the Bus Industry Confederation President Don Benbow (BIC) and the Australian (from 16/12/2013) Passenger Transport In- Jim Scott Mark Dunlop dustrial Association (AP- (to 04/10/2013) Stephen Nesbitt TIA) Tony Townsend Ben Romanowski (04/10/2013 - 16/12/2013) Jim Scott Dean McGinty Dean McGinty Peter Stone (to 07/04/2014) (16/12/2013 - present) Maureen Sullivan Sam Lucas Tony Townsend Vice President (until 16/12/2013) Auditor Philip Walker Tony Townsend Hayes Knight (to 04/10/2013) Executive Director Dean McGinty Address (04/10/2013 - 16/12/2013) Agnes Wong Stephen Lucas (to 04/10/2013) Suite 515, 147 Pirie Street Adelaide SA 5000 (16/12/2013 - present) Lauran Huefner Email: [email protected] (04/10/2013 – present) www.bussa.asn.au President’s Report

Although this President’s Report is Director. Lauran has extensive not-for- to form a minority government with the being written as part of the 2015 Annual profit leadership and strategic planning support of the independent , Report, it will necessarily focus on the experience and skills suited to evolving Member for Frome, who was appointed activities from 2013 – 2015, as, under the the Association into its next phase. His Minister for Regional Development. Constitution changes explained below, challenge is to shift the Association into Chloe Fox, Minister for Transport Services, the same Board has been in place for this a research and policy driven advocacy had retired from Cabinet and lost her seat period. space, with a remit that focusses on the at the the election, and was replaced as sustainability of the industry through The year ending June 2014 was one of Minister for Transport and Infrastructure by growth. significant development for industry new MP, . Stephen was representation in , with a This structure has remained in place formerly Chief of Staff to former Treasurer focus on re-positioning the industry body through the 2014 and the 2015 year. I Kevin Foley, and is widely considered a with a focus on industry development would like to sincerely thank Jim Scott and potential future Premier. underpinned by strong policy and research. Tony Townsend for their time, effort and The Liberal Party also experienced a dedication to the Association during this Changes made to the Rules of Association number of changes. was transition. Without their input it is likely and approved at the General Meeting in elected as the Member for Mitchell and that the Association would not have been August 2013 came into effect that month, was appointed as Shadow Transport able to survive the changes it was going and a new Board commenced in October Minister, replacing . through. 2013 to hold office for a period of 2 years. The complete shock came when Martin This two year period will end at the AGM As a result of the changes to the Hamilton-Smith, former Opposition for the period this Report covers, and Constitution, the cycle of meetings Leader, abandoned the Liberal Party and scheduled for late November 2015. was altered to streamline activities. An established himself as an Independent important change, agreed by the Board, Liberal, taking on a Ministry within the At the October Board Meeting Jim Scott was to make Board Meetings “open”. This Labor Cabinet. This shored up Weatherill’s stood down from his caretaker role that means that any member can attend as an was in place since the approval of the new position, and deflated theLiberals further. observer. In practice this also means that Constitution, and Tony Townsend was An analysis of the election would indicate a member can comment on any agenda elected as President, with Dean McGinty that the outcome is likely attributable to item, but is not able to vote on outcomes. as Vice President. Due to work and health a couple of factors – the success of the We encourage our members to partake pressures, however, Tony was unable to ALP in marginal city seats and how the in this active governance, and make their continue, and resigned from the Board Liberals were perceived by the electorate opinions known. To June 2015, we have and the Presidency in December. Don to not offer a comprehensive and viable held meetings in Adelaide, Clare and Benbow was invited to fill the casual Board Murray Bridge, with meetings planned to alternative. vacancy, and Dean McGinty was appointed be held in Melbourne and Naracoorte in President with Stephen Lucas as Vice – the 2016 year. President.

The Board and I also acknowledge the tate Election and Fallout work of Agnes Wong who was Executive The March 2014 State Election Director until October 2013. Agnes was Sdelivered a surprise result – in that focussed on progressing the Association the Labor Government was returned for during the challenging period in 2012 – its fourth term, now with 2013 and was always willing to take on as Premier. This was unexpected and the challenges necessary to bring about could possibly be interpreted as the first change. We wish Agnes every success in backlash against the Abbott Federal her future career. Liberal Government, although the election In October 2013 the Board chose to was prior to their first (and extremely appoint Lauran Huefner as Executive unpopular) budget. Weatherill was able The election result surprised many, both local and national, to develop his including the Labor Party. In many ways knowledge about good bus policy. they were not expecting to retain office, Over this time our aim has been to but they did move quickly to kick-start deliver calm, professional, approachable their activities, especially in Transport. representation of your business. We have Both Fred Hanson (CEO of Renewal cemented our links within the Bus Australia SA) and Rod Hook (CEO of DPTI) were Network, enhanced our relationship removed within 3 months of the election, with the Australian Passenger Transport with Hanson replaced by John Hanlon Industrial Association, re-engaged with (from DPTI) and Michael Deegan taking up our supplier friends, run a successful the role in DPTI. conference, re-located our office and set The appointment of Deegan could be our Association on a solid financial footing. considered a bonus for the Government as We have introduced Moving People he is a very experienced senior government SA – a policy platform for the industry’s on his retirement. Minister Rankine had executive, including a stint as Coordinator future – and contributed to a number of dealt with extensive challenges in child General of Infrastructure Australia, and in Government inquiries. We have regular protection, an issue that dogs Families SA, the RMS in NSW. He is widely considered worthwhile conversations with Government which is part of the DECD portfolio. a tough but fair operator. about the future of transport in our State. Minister Close has been very approachable Deegan initiated considerable changes The work of the Association will be covered and interested in the sector, and has within DPTI, including the removal of quite in more detail in the Executive Director’s responded well to the policy opportunities a few officers. He has publicly stated that Report below. we have put to her. The Minister was kind his intent has been to have DPTI more enough to speak at our conference in It is important to note the contribution of directly engage with the community and May 2015, and the operators present were the Board over this time, providing input with industry to sort out the issues that pleased to be able to put questions to her and guidance on the key topics that lead exist within the department, and initial that might not have been easy in years to the outcomes we are seeking. I thank indications are that he is delivering on previous. the Board for their commitment to the this model. Our meetings with him have Association, and particularly want to thank reinforced this view that he is accessible, The appointment of Geoff Brock as Jim Scott for taking on the challenge of interested and engaged – provided we Minister for Regional Development has leading the Association through its change, present a sensible case. also been valuable for Bus SA, as we and to Tony Townsend for providing a had engaged well with him prior to the The Education Minister, Jennifer Rankine, steadying hand on the Association right election, and his awareness of our policies retained her position after the election, but through to his resignation from the Board. in relation to regional transport is very resigned in early 2015. She was replaced high. This knowledge can only be useful by , the Member for Port when in Cabinet. Adelaide, who replaced Kevin Foley This bodes well for the coming year – a new approach, a government that is interested in reform, and hopefully a set of policies that Government feels is approachable and sensible.

At the same time, the Liberal Opposition appointed Corey Wingard as Shadow Dean McGinty Minister for Transport. We have formed President a good relationship with Corey and keep June 2015 him informed of our policy positions and developments as a matter of course. He is very approachable and has taken time to attend various bus industry events, Executive Director’s Report

Membership can be perceived as costly 4. Privatise operation of DECD owned and we must focus on the value for money buses (yellow fleet) equation when attempting to grow the 5. Establish Tour SA By Coach strategy membership base. 6. Introduce Operator Accreditation Over the course of the 2015 year, our Program number of members was 35. This number, although just sustainable and significantly 7. Privatise bus inspections currently down from earlier years as result of carried out by DPTI and DECD

changes particularly in the school bus At the time of this report, some movement Since joining the Bus and Coach sector, will grow over the coming years has occurred: Association (SA) Inc in October 2013, I as we increase our effectiveness and have focused on implementing the Board’s capabilities in delivering effective policy for • Government is working on “Regional desire to build a professional Association operators. Access Committees”, a cut through with a primary focus on building business policy proposed by Bus SA for We have been approached by a number sustainability for operators. The broad improving integration of regional of operators to join the Association, and view is that sustainability will come from mobility options. we remain hopeful that these operators developing business opportunities as well will see the merit in presenting a unified • Bus lane use in city bus lanes has been as finding ways to improve operating presence and accessing our key services, ratified. Bus lights can be used by all efficiency through services and increased such as the industrial advice offered by bus operators. Further opportunities knowledge. APTIA (the Australian Passenger Transport are in the pipeline. As part of this renewal of the Bus and Industrial Association). • The School Transport Policy has been Coach Association SA (Inc), the Board olicy reviewed, although Bus SA was critical agreed to trade the Association under the of the terms of reference of the review banner of Bus SA. This simplification of the At the Bus Industry Confederation at the time. Since then the new name has been well received by members, PConference, held in Adelaide in Minister, Susan Close, has requested government and stakeholders, and we October 2013, Bus SA launched Moving further work be completed on the made sure the new Bus SA logo reflects People SA. This document was prepared report before it is released. the link to our history by retaining the full as a Government and stakeholder briefing name. tool that articulates clearly the mobility • Bus parking has been somewhat challenge for South Australia and provides clarified, including the identification of The Association also moved premises from a number of recommendations for additional coach parking space around Enfield into the city during 2014, finally developing the industry over the coming Adelaide. settling at offices on Hindmarsh Square in years. The launch was timed to take Suite 515, 147 Pirie Street. The small office • The consideration by Government of advantage of the election due in March of leased provides the Association with city introducing operator accreditation the next year, and Moving People SA was access to key decision makers, including and private bus inspection as a duly sent to all politicians of all political Government agencies, other not for profits result of a “Bus Safety in SA” paper parties. and local government representatives. As provided by Bus SA. We have iterated a result, the office at Enfield has been fully The original recommendations were to Government often that a set of leased to the Multiple Sclerosis Society refined in early 2015, and reduced to 7 minimum standards that apply to all of SA & NT, providing Bus SA with a simpler key outcomes that will be reflected bus operators is essential to ensure worthwhile income. in an updated Moving People SA: that we maintain a very good safety record. embership 1. Establish Regional Access Committees The key to delivering on these outcomes It would be fair to say that 2. Establish a Ministerial Passenger is to remember that the wheels of Mmembership growth remains Transport Forum Government are slow. We must be patient a great challenge for the Association. 3. Support the 20 Minute and consistent and be prepared to provide The industry has been fragmented for Neighbourhood Policy and apply it in the Government with supporting evidence some years, and this has not made it the SA context as to why the policy direction proposed is easy to maintain our membership base. the right way for them to progress. to deal with our accounts. look forward to the National Conference returning to SA in a few years. Moving People SA will be reviewed in During 2014/2015 Bus SA sought advice soft copy before the end of 2015, with a relating to our tax status, as a result of atigue Management, February 2014 refinement of key outcomes included. which the Board agreed to assess the Around 15 operators attended Association as tax exempt, as we are a not ommunications Fa training session on fatigue for profit with a primary goal of industry management held by Transport Training As part of our branding development. This is a beneficial outcome Solutions. This was quite topical at the Cchanges, Bus SA has chosen to for our position. time due to changes to the work diary as gradually increase focus on electronic With an acknowledgement that instigated under National Heavy Vehicle communications. The Member Alert, an membership revenue growth will be Law. e-newsletter can be sent more regularly difficult in the coming years, Bus SA has with more direct material included. It is Operators were taken through the also moved to diversify income. We planned for this service to be upgraded legislative and regulatory environment, have experienced excellent support from and improved in the 2016 year, providing followed by practical sessions on how the suppliers and we are grateful for their a higher quality easily printable newsletter law actually applied to operations. renewed interest in South Australia. that will be sent at least monthly. We us SA State Conference, May 2015 aim also to improve content with regular As mentioned above, we have been material from business advisers, including engaged to work on a social media trial for The Association re-introduced the industrial, legal and financial advice. the industry that we hope will become an Bannual Bus SA State Conference ongoing activity. We receive worthwhile in May 2015 after a few year’s hiatus. Our website was renewed to a new domain income from leasing Enfield. The conference, held at Crowne Plaza name in late 2014 (www.bussa.asn.au) Adelaide, attracted over 70 registrations, that includes policies from Moving People At the same time, we have carefully and featured a staged program that was SA, lists of our sponsors/partners, and removed the Association from agreements aimed at providing useful information for a trip planner that lists our members by and activities that cost us time or money operators. their category of service. The website will for little or no return. It is this pragmatic continue to be upgraded as Bus SA’s key approach to our operation that underpins We are grateful to Susan Close, Minister communications hub. our financial goals. for Education and representing Stephen Mullighan, Minister for Transport, for We also commenced a social media us Industry Confederation National providing remarks just after lunch. strategy, introducing a Twitter and Conference, October 2013 Corey Wingard, MP, Shadow Minister Facebook feed. Twitter is a key tool BThe Bus Industry Confederation for Transport, providing some excellent for informing politicians about policy Conference was held in Adelaide in opening remarks that highlighted how developments around the world, and Bus October 2013, with main sessions held at access to mobility choices is important to SA was an early mover in providing bus the Adelaide Convention Centre. young and old. and public transport feeds within the bus industry in Australia. Early in 2015, BIC and The Conference was an opportunity Representatives of government, Paul BusVic agreed to fund Bus SA to manage to showcase South Australia on the Gelston of DPTI and Ross Treadwell of their social media feeds as a trial that runs national stage, and many delegates were DECD, provided approachable insight into 2016. We believe we are making able to enjoy uniquely South Australian into how Government is viewing the link useful inroads into this new technology. experiences such as the O-Bahn and the with industry, and how we as industry can newly completed Adelaide Oval, as well as engage effectively with Government. inancials fine Adelaide food and wine. The professional advisory sessions – legal, Our focus on the financials of the The conference had a focus on planning industrial, strategic – were provided FAssociation has been to create a and land use, with speakers from local and by Peter Dwyer of Piper Alderman, Ian sustainable business model that allows for state government, academia and policy MacDonald of APTIA, and Matthew Wilson quality, modern representation. We have bodies. There was a focus on “future of Pitcher Partners. These session were worked on managing expense lines, and proofing your business” and regulation aimed at revealing the current situation developed a plan for revenue growth. Our developments from around Australia. and offering some thoughts for the future. financial management has been enhanced by engaging a professional financial officer The conference was well supported and we The policy discussions in the afternoon segued from those talks. Ward Tilbrook particularly thank Geoff Lewis of TasBus, we are hopeful that some of our proposed of the South Australian Tourism Industry and Chris Lowe of BusVic for facilitating initiatives – RACs and Bus Safety – might Council provided his highly knowledgeable access to a number of excellent procedural be genuinely in play during the 2016 year. view on the state of tourism promotion in material that we have reworked into We will continue to update you on these SA, whilst Chris Lowe of BusVic spoke to documents that we have presented to matters. his valuable research that shows the social our Government. To have created much Finally, some thanks for the people who benefits delivered by bus services. of this from scratch would have been a support the Association. I would like to challenging and time consuming activity. John Stanley brought the 20 minute thank Renae Sullivan for her excellent city concept to the attention of ey Events Attended work in developing our website, starting delegates, explaining how connecting social media, and getting our renewed Over the course of the year, Bus neighbourhoods and regions has Conference to fruition. Renae has been a KSA represented you at a number of significant benefits for communities when great asset to the Association during this activities and events, including: properly planned for. period of reinvention. I would also like to • BusVic Maintenance Conference and thank the Board for their support and input Michael Apps of BIC updated the Expo, Melbourne, July 2013 over the past year. They have provided conference on national issues and the day invaluable feedback on the initiatives we finished with a panel discussion looking • BIC Council, Canberra Lobbying Day are leading. at the future of mobility, that covered and Annual Dinner, March 2014 regional access committees, taxis and • TasBus Conference, Hobart, May 2014 what activities operators may undertake in future years. • BusVic Maintenance Conference, Melbourne, July 2014 Our thanks to speakers and our sponsors, who made significant contribution to the • Association Presidents and ED’s conference both financially and in their Meeting, Melbourne, November 2014 attendance. • Bus Australia Network, ED’s Meeting, ational Adelaide, January 2015

Our links to our colleagues • BIC Council, National IR and Supplier Lauran Huefner Ninterstate are very strong, and Summit, National Industry Dinner Executive Director have been enhanced by the national March 2015 June 2015 “Bus Australia Network” branding. uture activities- 2015/2016 This branding pulls together the state It would be nice to say that change associations and BIC under one banner, Fwill happen quickly, but unfortunately and has been used as common branding that is not the case. The key policy during 2015. outcomes described above take time What this does is indicate to governments to get into the mindset of government, that the industry in Australia is connected and take even more time to eventually and that we share common goals and be turned into public policy that works. policies. Although policy necessarily must It is our role to continue to “sing the be locally focused, most associations same hymn” day in day out until we have actually advocate a similar set of regulatory achieved traction. and contractual settings that help It is this consistency from industry that operators to perform at their best. will finally lead to the reform we know we Our membership of BIC and APTIA give Bus need. We will continue to offer our help SA and our members access to excellent to Government to find the solutions to the policy and advice. Our relationship with challenge of Moving People in our State. our interstate cousins provide us with a Once the policy is agreed, Bus SA will move wealth of experience in relation to how to quickly to be a primary support mechanism solve some key challenges in our state. I to support the introduction of policy – and We acknowledge our Partners for 2014/2015

Gold Partners Silver Partners

Bronze Partners