Report 1-55 - Inter-regional Public Transport

Recommendations

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INTER-REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTThe Committee heard a range of suggestions from inquiry stakeholders about how NSWTrainLink could improve its services and facilities to enhance the traveller experience andattract more tourist customers. Stakeholders suggested that NSW TrainLink should:• improve the timetabling of its services to better meet the needs of tourists• implement measures to reduce the travel times of its rail services• implement a more flexible booking system, enabling tourists to add-on extra services tothe travel component• promote local regional food and beverage specialties on board trains• introduce services for children, such as a dedicated children’s car and complementaryactivity packs• provide on-board amenities, such as Wi-Fi, battery charging facilities for mobile phones,laptop computers and tablets, and entertainment systems and• improve tourism-related rail and bus infrastructure.The Committee considered that an effective way to enhance inter-regional tourist travel wouldbe for Transport for NSW and Destination NSW to work collaboratively to identify measures toimprove the services and facilities that are provided to NSW TrainLink’s customers.Consequently, the Committee recommended that NSW TrainLink and Destination NSWprepare a strategy focusing on short and long-term initiatives to improve the touristexperience of NSW TrainLink services, with the aim of encouraging more tourists to use theseservices; and that the strategy also addresses disincentives for tourists using NSW TrainLinkservices.Carriage of bicyclesIn order to take advantage of the growing bicycle tourism market, the Committee heard thatNSW TrainLink’s rail and coach services should be better equipped to store and carry bicycles.At present, there is a limit of two bicycles per train, bicycles must be pre-booked, and bicyclesmust be partially disassembled and boxed prior to being stored in the luggage area. TheCommittee agreed with stakeholder views and recommended that NSW TrainLink considersenhancing its capacity to carry bicycles on its services and simplifies the procedure for usingthis facility.Advertising and promotionStakeholders suggested that the visibility of NSW TrainLink’s tourism packages would beenhanced with increased promotion and marketing, and that this would result in increasedtourist patronage. The Committee considered that there is scope for wider promotion of NSWTrainLink’s services, particularly to the international and domestic tourist market.Consequently, the Committee recommended that Transport for NSW reviews and updates itscurrent marketing strategy for promoting NSW TrainLink’s services to the international anddomestic tourism market, with a view to increasing the visibility of its services.Co-ordination between NSW TrainLink and other organisationsMARCH 2014xiii
STATE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEInquiry participants called for increased collaboration between NSW TrainLink, DestinationNSW and regional tourism organisations, as a means of identifying and creating new tourismopportunities in an effective and co-ordinated manner. The Committee agreed and concludedthat the best way for NSW TrainLink to establish closer strategic alliances with regional tourismorganisations is through Destination NSW, given the agency’s existing close ties with thetourism industry. For this reason the Committee recommended that Destination NSWconsiders developing a strategy to enhance collaboration and engagement between NSWTrainLink and regional tourism organisations to identify and develop tourism opportunities.Services for regional tourist destinationsThe Committee heard that there were tourist destinations in regional NSW that were notadequately serviced by the NSW TrainLink network and that this had restricted the growth oftourism in those regions. The Committee noted stakeholder suggestions about possible trainand bus routes that could create new tourism opportunities. The Committee recommendedthat Transport for NSW works with Destination NSW to determine existing services gaps and toidentify new NSW TrainLink train and coach services targeted towards growing the regionaltourism market.Future trains and busesThe Committee examined NSW TrainLink’s ageing fleet and the types of trains and buses that itmay use in the future. In considering the fleet of the future, the Committee looked at thepotential benefits to passengers, such as reduced travel times, increased comfort andenhanced accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. Finally, the Committeeconsidered the capacity of NSW TrainLink’s services to carry light freight.Future train and bus optionsThe Committee heard that the increasing age of NSW TrainLink’s fleet and the condition of thetrack on which trains run has impacted on NSW TrainLink’s capacity to provide optimal servicesto passengers. The Committee heard stakeholder evidence that options such as tilt trains,high-speed rail, upgrading the existing track network, smaller rail car sets and modern buses,should be considered when determining the trains, buses and related infrastructure to be usedfor the NSW TrainLink network in the future. Common across all stakeholder views was ashared call for fleet solutions that reduce travel times. Consequently, the Committeerecommended that Transport for NSW, in determining the trains and buses to be used for theNSW TrainLink network in the future, purchases vehicles that reduce travel times, enhancepassenger comfort and better meet the regional transport needs of customers. The Committeealso recommended that Transport for NSW considers acquiring rolling stock that incorporatestilt train technology and using smaller rail car sets for NSW TrainLink services, with a view toproviding more frequent services, where possible and practicable.Potential for carrying light freightThe Committee heard evidence on both the potential benefits and the challenges of NSWTrainLink services carrying light freight, with a number of stakeholders giving in-principlesupport to the notion on the condition that it does not negatively impact on the core businessof transporting passengers. Inquiry participants suggested that possible benefits included thereduction of heavy road freight traffic on regional roads and light freight transport being anadditional revenue stream for NSW TrainLink. Inquiry participants also outlined some of thexiv REPORT 1/55
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Report 1-55 - Inter-regional Public Transport

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