VICTORIA TRANSPORT REGULATION BOARD Annual Report For the Year ended 30 June, 1980 Presented to both Houses of Parliament pursuant to the provisions of the Transport Regulation Act Ordered by the Legislative Assembly to be printed MELBOURNE F. D. ATKINSON, GOVERNMENT PRINTER 1980 No. 1 Cnr. Lygon and Princes Streets Carlton 3053 The Honourable Robert Maclellan, M.L.A., Minister of Transport Melbourne 3000 Dear Mr. Minister, We have pleasure in submitting to you for presentation to Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Transport Regulation Act the Annual Report of the Board for the year ended 30th June, 1980. The Report highlights the more significant aspects of the work performed by the Board and personnel of this Administration during the year. Yours faithfully A. V. C. COOK, Chairman. P. A. HOCKING, Member. K. P. SHEA, Member. C. J. V. SMITH, Secretary. Cnr. Lygon and Princes Streets Carlton 3053 The Honourable Robert Maclellan, M.L.A., Minister of Transport Melbourne 3000 Dear Mr. Minister, We have pleasure in submitting to you for presentation to Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Transport Regulation Act the Annual Report of the Board for the year ended 30th June, 1980. The Report highlights the more significant aspects of the work performed by the Board and personnel of this Administration during the year. Yours faithfully A. V. C. COOK, Chairman. P. R. HOCKING, Member. K. P. SHEA, Member. C. J. V. SMITH, Secretary. BOARD K. P. Shea A.V.C.Cook P. R. Hocking (Member) (Chairman) (Member) SECRETARIAT Secretary C. J. V. Smith Deputy Secretary W. R. Key Assistant Secretary (Administration) R. G. Jacobs Assistant Secretary (Operations) P. L. Golden EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Accounts A. M. McPherson Administrative Services J. W. J. Larman Costing and Financial Analysis G. V. Smithwick Goods Services R. J. Stevens Passenger Services F. B. Lindsay Planning and Research J. V. Vucic Technical and Field Services M. Stewart REGIONAL OFFICERS East Gippsland Region (Bairnsdale) N. F. McOuinn Central Highlands Region (Ballarat) A. L. Stott Loddon Region (Bendigo) R. V. Wood Barwon Region (Geelong) J. F. Humphrey Glenelg Region (Hamilton) A. A. Blaby Wimmera Region (Horsham) L. W. Hoare Mallee Region (Mildura) G. W. Lindsay Gippsland Region (Morwell) M. D. Ouinn Upper Goulburn Region (Seymour) P. R. Martin Goulburn Region (Shepparton) W. J. Hoey Corangamite Region (Warrnambool} R. C. McDonald Upper Murray Region (Wodonga) R. H. Pitcher PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS Legal J. R. Connell Engineer· Vehicle Safety and Design J. Middlehurst CONTENTS Page LEGISLATION ADMINISTERED 9 YEAR IN REVIEW New and Amending Legislation Motor Registration Act 1980 10 Transport Regulation Act 1958 10 Transport Consolidated Regulations 1977 10 Motor Car Regulations 1966 10 Important Developments Motor Registration Act 1980 10 Victorian Transport Study 12 Bus Operations in Hazardous Areas 12 Changes to the Licensing and Regulation of Charter Operations 13 Enquiry into Tow Truck Operations 13 Road Movement of Groceries 13 Trial Restrictions on Heavy Vehicles Using Beach Road 14 Goods Transport VicRail Regional Freight Centres .. 15 Transport of Unseasoned Sawn Hardwood from East Gippsland 15 Transport of the Grain Harvest 16 Tow Trucks Licence Applications 16 Notice of Enquiry into the Operation and Control of Tow Trucks 16 Bus Transport Financial Assistance Scheme 18 Bus Fares 18 Concession Fares for Pensioners 18 Operating and Financial Information 18 Provision of Information on Services 18 Changes in Bus Services 18 Rationalisation of Private Bus Services 19 Public Transport in Developing Areas 19 Bus Service • Greensborough to Broadmeadows 19 Urban Bus Services 19 Replacement of Uneconomic Country Rail Passenger Services 19 Demand Responsive Bus Services 19 Limited Use of Taxis 20 Community Bus Services .. 20 Airport Bus Service 20 Croydon Modal Interchange 20 Changes to the Licensing and Regulation of Charter Operations 20 Program to Upgrade Bus Shelters in Metropolitan Area 20 Towing of Trailers by Buses 20 Drivers' Certificates 21 Private Omnibus 21 Taxis Licensing and Organisational Changes to Melbourne Taxis 22 Depot Amalgamations 22 Taxi Fares 22 CONTENTS - continued Page Changeover to Liquid Petroleum Gas 22 Taxi Performance Data 22 Licensing of Medium Size Sedans for Taxi Operation 22 Gift Vouchers for Use in Paying Taxi Fares 22 Special Purpose Vintage Vehicles 23 New Hire Car Licences 23 Advertising on Taxis 23 Replacement of Taxis 23 Enforcement, Investigations, Offences and Prosecutions Enforcement and Investigation Activities .. 24 Co-Ordinated Policing 24 Prosecution Proceedings 24 Offences Reported .. 24 Warnings Issued 24 Other Authorities .. 24 Summary of Prosecutions 24 Vehicle Inspection and Safety Increased Attention to Road Safety 25 Annual Inspection of Buses, Taxis and Tow Trucks 25 Vehicle Inspection Facilities 25 Roller Brake Testing Equipment .. 25 Inspection of LP Gas Installations 25 School Bus Safety .. 25 Private Omnibuses .. 25 Inspection of Buses Registered in Victoria for Interstate Operation 25 Safety of Bus Seats and Seat Anchorages .. 25 Development and Improvement of Vehicle Safety Requirements 25 Street Closures, Roundabout Construction and Street Repairs 26 Truck/Trailer Brake Compatibility 26 Insecure Loading of Goods Vehicles 26 Motor Boats Motor Boating Act 1961 27 Annual Registration Fees 27 Fees Collected 27 Total Contributions 27 Registrations of Motor Boats 27 Finance Revenue 28 Expenditure 29 External Contact and Studies Annual Conference of Road Transport Authorities 30 Co-Operation with Departments and lnstrumentalities 30 Contact with Industry Organizations 30 Project Planning and Research Activities .. 30 Special Planning and Research Investigations with Consultants 30 Representations on External Committees .. 31 Administration 31 CONTENTS - continued Page LICENSING Commercial Goods Vehicles Responsibility to License 32 As of Right Licences 32 Discretionary Licences 34 Tow Truck Licences 35 Country Services 37 Distribution of Goods Licences 39 Number of Goods Licences 40 Licence Fees 40 Discretionary Licence Fees 41 Permits 42 Commercial Passenger Vehicles Responsibility to License 43 Licensing Procedures 43 Types of Licences .. 43 Number of Passenger Vehicle Licences 45 Licence Fees 46 Number of Operators, Licences and Routes 46 Country Services .. 47 Changes to Bus Services 52 Suburban Taxi Depots 54 APPENDICES Revenue and Expenditure .. 55 2 Licence Fees Collected 57 3 Statement of Expenditure .. 59 4 Comparison of Fines, Costs and Convictions 61 5 Summary of Offence Reports 62 6 Motor Boat Registrations .. 63 LEGISLATION ADMINISTERED THE TRANSPORT REGULATION ACT 1958 establishes the Board as a corporate body and gives it its charter, powers and duties in relation to the road transport industry. lt provides for commercial passenger vehicles to be 1icensed at the discretion of the Board and for private buses to be licensed. THE COMMERCIAL GOODS VEHICLES ACT 1958 provides for certain classes of goods vehicle licences to be issued "as-of-right" to applicants and for other applications to be granted or refused at the Board's discretion; this latter group includes tow trucks. All decisions of the Board for discretionary licences are subject to review by the Governor in Council where objection has been lodged or by the Minister where there is no objection. THE TRANSPORT CONSOLIDATED REGULATIONS 1977 complement the powers conferred by the Transport Regulation Act and the Commercial Goods Vehicles Act. THE MOTOR BOATING ACT 1961 requires the Board to maintain a register of motor boats and to collect the registration fees payable by motor boat owners. The Board also collects stamp duty on new registrations and transfers as provided for in the Stamps Act 1958. OTHER LEGISLATION under which the Board has specific responsibilities:- Ministry of Transport Act 1958 Motor Car Act 1958 Motor Car Regulations 1966 Road Traffic Act 1958 Road Traffic Regulations 1973. 9 YEAR IN REVIEW NEW AND AMENDING LEGISLATION THE MOTOR REGISTRATION ACT 1980 the operation of car pools where passengers received Royal Assent on 20 May 1980. The contribute to the cost of the journey. Act transfers the administration of the This form of arrangement had previously Recreation Vehicles Act 1973 and the been prohibited by the Act. registration, licence testing and licensed vehicle tester superVISion functions THE TRANSPORT CONSOLIDATED contained in the Motor Car Act 1958 from REGULATIONS 1977 were amended to the Minister of Police and Emergency give the Board a discretion to grant drivers' Services to the Minister of Transport. certificates to probationary licence holders, to remove the fixed period of vehicle life The Act provides for the appointment of of taxis and hire-cars, to remove the specific two part-time Board members, one the dress requirements for drivers and Chairman of the Country Roads Board conductors of licensed commercial passenger or his nominee, and the other the Chief vehicles, and to provide for higher standards Commissioner of Police or his nominee. of driver skill and vehicle safety equipment Those Sections of the Act which enabled for omnibuses operating in mountainous these appointments to be made were and hazardous areas of the State. proclaimed by the Governor in Council to come into effect on 9 July 1980. THE MOTOR CAR REGULATIONS 1966 were amended by the Motor Car (Securing THE TRANSPORT REGULATION ACT of Loads) Regulations 1980. This amend· 1958 was amended by