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It’s always quite interesting talking to Australian operators about how they came to be operators in the first place. Some are from families that have been in the industry for three or even four generations, others were simply offered the opportunity to buy a bus business without really knowing what they were getting themselves into. In the case of Darren Calow of Calow’s Coaches, it’s the latter. He had no exposure to the industry whatsoever until his new neighbour offered to sell him his bus service in north-east Tasmania – more or less out of the blue. Fast forward 15 years and he now has 30 vehicles, two depots, almost 30 drivers and a small team of administrative staff. He had previously worked in a wide range of industries and…
“Trials serve important roles in increasing people’s familiarity with this technology” The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources has recommended that Federal Government join forces with state governments and local councils to fund trials of automated vehicles with a public transport application in urban and regional areas. The recommendation came largely from a submission made earlier this year by the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) to an inquiry on social issues relating to land-based automated vehicles in Australia. BIC executive director Michael Apps presented at a public hearing on the matter in late May this year. His aim, very broadly, is to ensure that existing bus and coach operators are engaged and have an ongoing key role to play in the adoption of automated vehicles [and…
Fare compliance on Melbourne’s metropolitan buses has dropped below 90 per cent for the first time in years, with 10.8 per cent of passengers travelling without a valid ticket in May. The figures have been released as part of Public Transport Victoria’s May 2017 Fare Compliance Survey. According to the report, when combined across all three metropolitan modes (trains, trams and buses), 94.8 per cent of passengers in Melbourne travelled with a valid ticket, though this figure was lower on buses (89.2 per cent). Fare compliance also remains high on V/Line services at 94.2 per cent as the regional network continues to experience significant growth in passengers and services. V/Line now operates 2000 weekly services for the first time in its history, a 40 per cent increase since November 2014.…
Bus patronage in Ballarat is booming, attracting hundreds of extra passengers every day since the Victorian Government delivered more frequent, reliable and direct services earlier this year. New data shows an average of 5768 passengers used Ballarat’s bus network every weekday in August – up 15.6 per cent from the same time last year. Ballarat’s bigger, better bus network commenced in January, as part of the Victorian Government’s $100 million investment in better bus services for passengers across Victoria. Ballarat passengers now have faster and more direct services, with the simpler network of 15 routes operating more often across weekdays and weekends, giving locals better connections to trains and key destinations. “These numbers show local passengers are getting on board with Ballarat’s bigger, better bus network,” Victorian Minister for Public…
The Bus Association Victoria (BusVic) and the Bus and Coach Association SA (Bus SA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that brings the two organisations closer together in their collective aim to support the delivery of mobility options in south eastern Australia. Both associations support private bus operator businesses that provide the backbone of school, route and intercity services, as well as undertake tour and charter activities throughout Australia. The agreement is focused on finding efficiencies in back-of-house functions and working together more closely on achieving policy outcomes that lead to the delivery of safe and quality services for travellers in each and between each state. BusVic executive director Chris Lowe says the agreement enables both organisations to work closely together in good faith on as many issues as possible…
Canberra will get its new rapid bus network two years ahead of schedule with nine more direct routes starting next year, the Australian Capital Territory Government has announced. The first stage of light rail is also on track for completion towards the end of 2018. ACT Minister for Transport Canberra and City Services Meegan Fitzharris revealed the new network while opening the Dickson Bus Interchange recently. “A new era of public transport in Canberra starts in 2018, making it easier than ever before for all Canberrans to get where they need to go,” she says. “Our upgraded network will revolutionise the way people use public transport in Canberra, taking cars off the road and increasing patronage across the city. “The first stage of light rail will free up a million…
