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Infrastructure, Public Utilities and Spatial DevelopmentAPPENDIX 9.1INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FORTRANSPORTAt a time when there is a major programme of investment underwayto revitalise public transport, it is useful to consider the institutionaland regulatory environment in which public transport operates. Inthe last couple of years there have been a number of papers oninstitutional issues published by the Government and the PublicTransport Partnership Forum (established under the PPF). Thisappendix reviews the key issues in these papers.A9.1 A New Institutional and Regulatory Framework forPublic TransportIn August 2000, the Government published a consultation paper, ANew Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport(Department of Public Enterprise, 2000b). This paper defined theoverall objectives for public transport as follows:●●to ensure the provision of a well-functioning, integrated publictransport system which enhances competitiveness, sustainsprogress and contributes to social cohesion;to ensure the provision of a defined standard of public transport,at reasonable cost to the customer and the taxpayers;● to ensure the timely and cost effective delivery of theaccelerated investment in the infrastructure facilities necessaryto ensure improved public transport provision.The paper proposed changes in the role of the state in relation topublic transport. Up to now the state has not specifically definedwhat standards of public service it wishes to have delivered. Thepaper proposed that the state, through the Minister for Transport,will broadly define what standard of public transport services that itwishes to see provided. The paper proposed that public financialsupport for public transport would be provided on a contractual525