ARTA Media Release
2 October 2007

Govt legislation a step forward for better public transport services in Auckland

The Government’s new public transport management legislation, which was tabled in the House today, will help provide a better framework to achieve more efficient, affordable and effective public transport services in Auckland that meet the needs of the public, says the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA).

ARTA’s media spokesperson, Sharon Hunter, said the Bill is a considerable step forward in delivering an improved passenger transport network in Auckland with enhanced services, quality and performance standards.

“While we are very pleased that the Government has recognised the deficiencies in the existing public transport procurement legislation, it is not quite the full deal that we wanted.”

ARTA, as the authority tasked by the Government to be accountable for public transport in Auckland, is seeking the ability to deliver services that the public say they want through public consultation, including integration of modes, timetables, ticketing and fares.

ARTA also wants the ability to enforce high service quality and performance standards, which it currently cannot do on privately operated services used by approximately 41% of the public.

In addition to working with its regional, local and district council partners on infrastructure improvements, ARTA is seeking long-term relationships with private service providers.

Ms Hunter says, “We are pleased that the proposed legislation will allow customer service quality and performance standards to be applied to all public transport services. It is unclear how empowered ARTA is likely to be to enforce these in a timely and efficient manner.

“The introduction of a 90-day notice period for private operators to register, vary or abandon commercial services is another step in the right direction (up from the legal 21 days notice at present), however, ARTA already has a 90-day notice period through its concessionary fares arrangements and this has not previously proven to be adequate to replace large service abandonment, as occurred in recent years, which has cost ratepayers millions of dollars.

“We also strongly welcome the ability for ARTA to group services that can be operated commercially or contracted, which will lead to improved value from public subsidy. This needs to be applicable across multiple service routes.

“ARTA, with the support of all Auckland local and district councils and the Auckland Regional Council, previously identified that a fully contracted service model, with ARTA contracting with private operators for all services, would be best suited to Auckland along similar lines to those in Melbourne, London and Brisbane, which work extremely well (Option C in the Bill).

“The key now is to review the detailed implications of the proposed legislative change. It is important that discussions continue with Government and the transport service providers to ensure we have a managed transition to the new procurement framework.

“We believe that a passenger network that meets public needs can best be achieved through partnerships with other stakeholders, in particular local city and district councils, and private commercial transport operators.

“We look forward to working with private operators in delivering an effective transport system for Auckland moving forward,” says Ms Hunter.

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