2016 Annual Report BusNSW Mission Statement BusNSW’s mission is to foster the efficient and sustainable growth of public transport in NSW and in doing so, to promote the benefits of bus and coach transport. To achieve this goal BusNSW offers its members a range of services that include business development and advocacy, designed to promote and enhance bus and coach transport for the benefit of the community of NSW. Contents Mission Statement 02 Technical Matters 26 President’s Message 04 Coach and Charter Sector 29 Executive Director’s Introduction 05 BusNSW Partner Program 32 Industry Environment & Year in Brief 06 Co-op Activities 33 State & National Representation 08 Financial 34 NSW Government - Transport and 09 BusNSW Website 34 Infrastructure and RMS Tasplan Superannuation 35 Major Events 10 About BusNSW 36 Industry Awards & Bus Driver of 13 BusNSW’s Office Bearers & Staff 37 the Year BusNSW Privacy Policy 39 Reports on Selected Topics 17 BusNSW Social Media Policy 39 Member Services 22 Industrial Relations & Industry Training 23 President’s Message 2016 was another year of significant change. The NSW government is embarking on major transport infrastructure projects while continuing to focus on improving customer experience and transport services. This is an ambitious program with a new “Transport Technology Road Map” (to plan for automated vehicles and other technological developments) and is requiring further changes to the structure of the NSW “transport cluster” (Transport for NSW, Roads and Maritime Services, etc). The roll out of a new generation of Rural and Regional Contracts was a major achievement for the industry. In 2016, we have seen a significant change in the public transport landscape with the introduction of “point to point” legislation and the formation of a point to point commission. It is important that the industry, through BusNSW, keeps ahead of the game in monitoring and reacting to this disruption of regular passenger services. BusNSW continues to be a highly respected industry association dedicated to growing public transport and demonstrating the benefits of government working in partnership with industry to grow bus and coach services in NSW. I encourage members to participate in their Branches and to get involved with BusNSW committees and events, particularly during the sustained period of change that we are currently experiencing. I would like to acknowledge the work of the BusNSW Board and Committees in 2016, and look forward to working with the NSW Government in 2017. Frank D’Apuzzo President 4 BusNSW Annual Report 2016 Executive Director’s Introduction I am pleased to provide this report for the 2016 year. I am particularly proud of BusNSW’s contribution toward researching and documenting 75 years of continuous service by the NSW bus industry to the community. The following two publications and a video clip have been produced to recognise and celebrate the industry’s history. • A Driving Force: The Private Bus Industry in NSW (commemorative booklet) • The Private Bus Industry in New South Wales: A Mirror of our Times (book) BusNSW continues to promote the growth of public transport and to highlight the advantages that bus and coach travel offers over other modes for meeting the Government and community’s needs for public transport. The work of BusNSW includes promoting improvements to transport policy and regulatory settings, particularly in relation to contracts and accreditation standards. The BusNSW governance system, described on page 44, is designed to ensure that all sectors of the industry are represented and coordinated, with the objective of moving people safely and efficiently. The changing contractual, accreditation and industrial environments and the pressures on small business were again a focus in 2016. For the year ahead I am optimistic that BusNSW member services will continue to be highly beneficial to members and that our relationships with key stakeholders will continue to grow. The future will present new challenges and opportunities as a result of the “NSW Transport Technology Road Map 2017 and Beyond”, released in November 2016. There is a strong ongoing requirement for timetabled route and school services and, the private bus and coach sector in NSW will continue to be dynamic and meet the expectations of the market. The safety of passengers, staff and the general public remains a high priority for the industry. In 2016, BusNSW made important contributions to the School Bus Safety Working Group and other initiatives including Bus Safety Week and a Bus Safety Forum. There is a continuing awareness of the value in increasing bus and coach services, as key decision makers understand the cost-benefit ratio, including the social and environmental gains, in providing more profile and priority to bus and coach services. Darryl J Mellish Executive Director BusNSW Annual Report 2016 5 Industry Environment and the Year in Brief This year saw a range of new transport infrastructure governance, reporting and KPI approach of the projects emerge, as well as changes in transport policy, Metropolitan tendered Contracts. Following BusNSW contracting, accreditation and regulatory environments. representation, the Minister for Transport notified This has proved challenging both for transport agencies BusNSW in December 2016 that Outer Metropolitan and transport providers. There have been further changes contracts will be extended for 12 months, and that to the structure of NSW transport agencies over 2016 Transport for NSW will commence negotiations with and more changes are planned to meet the needs of the current operators for an additional two years more agile and engaged partnerships. operation of services after the initial 12 month extension. The negotiations will be based on NSW Government In March 2015, BusNSW promoted the need for an procurement guidelines and achieving value for money. Industry Liaison Officer to be appointed within Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to facilitate the coordination of policy A new generation of Rural and Regional Contracts were and procedures impacting on bus operations from the rolled out in 2016. This was achieved after the Minister’s different functional areas within the transport cluster. support for industry engagement which ensured that the This need continues to grow with the expanded use of contracts, initially drafted by TfNSW, were significantly contractors/consultants within the cluster, to progress modified to recognise the different operational and social government reforms. needs of rural and regional communities. The contract reform cycles roll on with metropolitan and The regulatory environment in NSW also continues to outer metropolitan operators now two to three years into the evolve, with a new Passenger Transport Act 2014 partly new generation of performance-based contracts designed to introduced. Key changes include the removal of many reduce costs to government and at the same time improve contract conditions (e.g. contract terms) that were customer outcomes. previously mandated by legislation. Also significant is the move to accredit community transport providers to Although Outer Metropolitan Contracts were negotiated place these operators more on par with contracted route with incumbent operators, they follow the prescriptive and school bus operators. The Passenger Transport 6 BusNSW Annual Report 2016 Regulation is expected to be revised in 2017 to expand TfNSW retains responsibility for managing bus contracts, upon changes to the Act. while Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is the agency responsible for safety and accreditation for buses with On 22 June 2016, the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and 13 seats or more. BusNSW continues to work towards a Hire Vehicles) Act 2016 was passed by Parliament. “Point “preventative” approach to compliance, rather than focusing to point” refers to travel where a passenger is picked up on penalties and enforcement once an incident has occurred. (and dropped off) at a location pre-arranged (“booked”) between the passenger and the driver/operator. The new The long distance, tourist and charter sectors continue legislation will only apply to vehicles with 12 seats or less to operate under mixed policy settings despite the (including the driver). establishment of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and initiatives from the reforms within Destination NSW. The Point to Point Act introduces a number of reforms More work is needed by the responsible agencies to to the safety regime for the point to point transport recognise that coaches, while heavy vehicles, operate in a industry and will commence in early 2017. The Act also significantly different way to the trucking industry. In 2016, establishes a new regulator for the industry – the NSW BusNSW launched a campaign to improve coach access Point to Point Transport Commissioner. Once the new and layover in and around the Sydney CBD. Act and regulations commence, a provider of a booking service like a bus (with 12 seats or less) will have a The industry’s employer/employee relationship continues primary duty to ensure the health and safety of drivers, to evolve under the National Industrial Award system as customers and other persons in the provision of the does the NSW template Enterprise Agreement initiatives service. Similar to the requirements under Work Health supported by BusNSW and APTIA. and Safety legislation, they must identify, eliminate or In 2017 BusNSW remains committed to providing quality mitigate risks to health and safety. The new laws give services for its members and to working with government service providers flexibility in how they manage these risks and other stakeholders to ensure bus and coach services in order to comply with the legislation. meet customer expectations. BusNSW Annual Report 2016 7 State and National Representation State associations, including BusNSW, focus on state As part of this effort, BusNSW works with BIC and other policies and procedures. This is where transport services states to coordinate its events program. are procured, transport contracts are negotiated and BIC’s focus is on national transport policy advocacy with passenger demands are met.