Report 1-55 - Inter-regional Public Transport

Recommendations

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INTER-REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTpurpose. Accordingly, the Committee recommended that NSW TrainLink implementsimprovements to on-board services and amenities on its trains and coaches that can beachieved in the short-term and without significant cost; and that it gives consideration to theCommittee’s findings with respect to on-board services when acquiring any new rolling stockutilised for inter-regional public transport.Services at railway stations and bus interchangesThe inadequacies of services and conditions at NSW TrainLink railway stations and connectingbus interchanges were highlighted by stakeholders. Issues identified included accessibility,bicycle storage and car parking facilities; timely, effective and accurate provision ofinformation to customers; and passenger security. The Committee heard that Transport forNSW was aware of these issues and was providing ongoing support to improve passengerinfrastructure in regional areas through the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure GrantsScheme and Transport Access Program. The Committee was of the view that the overall levelof service offered to customers at regional railway stations and bus interchanges would begreatly enhanced by measures to make up-to-date information on timetables and connectingservices more widely available. Consequently, the Committee recommended that Transportfor NSW implements practicable measures to improve the amount and timeliness ofinformation available at regional stations.Inter-regional bus servicesStakeholders submitted that bus transport had great potential for expanding the inter-regionalpublic transport network as it is a low-cost, flexible and reliable transport mode. TheCommittee agreed that NSW TrainLink’s coach network is an integral component of the interregionalpublic transport network and viewed it as being complementary to the NSW TrainLinkrail network. The Committee concluded that regional customers would be best serviced if thecoach network is supported in this complementary role and recommended that Transport forNSW considers measures to broaden NSW TrainLink’s coach network coverage; betterintegrate coach services with connecting train services; and remove unnecessary barriers tousing coach services.TicketingThe Committee considered issues raised by inquiry stakeholders about NSW TrainLink’sticketing, including affordability and accessibility, and whether the ticketing system issufficiently integrated to enable passengers to travel easily between the NSW TrainLink andthe Sydney Trains networks. To address the issue of affordability the Committee encouragedTransport for NSW to continue to offer the lowest fares possible to transport disadvantagedgroups.The Committee also heard of stakeholder concerns about the vexed issue of fare differentialson the NSW TrainLink and Sydney Trains networks. In this regard, the Committeerecommended that Transport for NSW examines and reviews the cost of fares on the NSWTrainLink and Sydney Trains networks, with a particular focus on the fare structure concerningthe nexus of the NSW TrainLink and Sydney Trains networks.In relation to the accessibility of ticketing the Committee noted stakeholder issues withobtaining NSW TrainLink tickets, due to factors such as lack of internet access, ticketingfacilities not being available at railway stations, and difficulties with meeting the costs of pre-MARCH 2014xi
STATE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEbooking fees. The Committee encouraged Transport for NSW to consider the stakeholderevidence received to this inquiry should it examine the issue of accessibility of ticketing in thefuture.The Committee noted Transport for NSW’s introduction of the Opal Card, and expressed itshope that the Opal Card initiative would address calls for integrated travel and ticketingbetween the NSW TrainLink and Sydney Trains networks. Further, the Committeerecommended that Transport for NSW extends the coverage of the Opal Card to incorporatepublic transport in all areas of regional NSW, so that regional passengers may also enjoy thebenefits of better integrated public transport networks.The Committee also sought to address the issue of NSW TrainLink passengers having to waitfor long periods of time at certain stops in order to take advantage of less expensive SydneyTrains fares. For this reason, the Committee recommended that Transport for NSWinvestigates the matter of customers being required to disembark at the nexus of the NSWTrainLink and Sydney Trains networks in order to obtain Sydney Trains fares, in an effort toidentify ways in which the current system can be improved.TourismThe Committee examined NSW TrainLink’s current contribution to tourism in NSW, and how itmight attract a greater share of the tourism market for its own benefit and for the benefit oftourism in regional NSW generally. The Committee considered stakeholder evidence about theeffectiveness of NSW TrainLink’s advertising and promotion strategies; how it collaborateswith other government agencies and regional organisations to develop tourism initiatives; aswell as new train and coach services that could contribute to growing tourism in regional NSWin the future.NSW TrainLink tourism packages and eventsThe Committee found that tourism packages and tourism-oriented activities had greatpotential to increase patronage of NSW TrainLink’s rail and bus services, and to grow regionaltourism and businesses. The Committee concluded that there was scope to do more in thisarea, and recommended that Transport for NSW work with Destination NSW to expand itsrange of rail and bus tourism packages to and from regional NSW, with a particular focus onpackages that support local festivals or events.Travel passesInquiry stakeholders supported measures to extend the coverage of the Opal Card to moreregional areas in NSW, and for NSW TrainLink to expand its current range of travel passes toincorporate certain features of travel passes available in other countries. The Committee alsoheard that the majority of NSW TrainLink’s travel passes are only available to overseastravellers. In the interests of increasing rail and bus tourism to regional NSW, the Committeesupported the extension of the Opal Card Scheme to incorporate public transport in all areasof regional NSW and made an earlier recommendation to this effect. The Committee alsorecommended that Transport for NSW considers introducing a comprehensive travel pass fordomestic and international tourists that can be used across public transport modes; and that itmakes all of its travel passes available to Australian residents in order to attract a greater shareof the local tourist market.Services and facilities to attract touristsxii REPORT 1/55
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Report 1-55 - Inter-regional Public Transport

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