Well, now that even the moderator has joined in on an off topic discussion
I can see that it's a free for all. I think that matters relating to
overall transport policy and trends are valid discussion on an electric
transit (tram) forum because they provide context and overviews, but I'm
uncomfortable with specific and prolonged discussion about non electric
modes, notably buses (unless electric) and ferries. Either we want an
electric transit forum or we don't. If we don't, then declare that and
we'll move forward on a wider front from there.
There's a lot of absolute bunkum being spouted about Sydney transport at
the moment on the eve of an election and the Herald and its readers are
very partisan, so I wouldn't place any value in what is published there. Of
course Mal, NSW franchise operators are subject to performance targets and
penalties just like in Victoria and pretty well anywhere else. The figures
are published monthly by TfNSW and, for buses they can be seen here:
https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/data-and-research/data-and-insights/buses-on-time-running
As you can see from the colour coding, there are almost zero months where
any operator has fallen below target for on time running (defined as 95%).
If an operator falls below, they pay a penalty. In the days of State
Transit, being a government agency, there was no penalty for non
performance because government wasn't going to penalise government or
terminate their entitlement to run the operation (still the case with the
railways, except metro). This is one of the major problems of government
operation. The performance of the ferries under the former government
operation by the 2000s was so bad that even the last Labor government held
a Royal Commission and decided to franchise it out, a job that was left to
the Coalition government as Labor lost office before they could implement
that. Sydney ferries' reliability is now typically 98 to 99%, the same with
the metro.
The last decade has been an awesome one for public transport in NSW, the
greatest investment since the 1930s. Under the previous Labor government it
was cancel cancel cancel and now Labor is promising to cancel things again.
When they start talking up buses, as Minns has been, you know what's coming
- yet again.
Tony P
On Wednesday, 22 March 2023 at 18:39:16 UTC+11 Mal Rowe wrote:
> On 22/03/2023 17:26, Greg Sutherland wrote:
>
> I should also point out that providing information from the public media*
> without commenting for or against* enables people who need to be informed
> to come to their own conclusions'
>
> This article, from today's Sydney Morning Herald, and the public responses
> are an interesting example of public concerns about the state of public
> transport in Sydney. Comparison with the quality of public transport
> services in Melbpurne, for example, and public opinions are something
> worthy of widespread consideration.
>
> Victorian franchisees are subject to penalties if they don't meet their
> performance targets.
>
> The relevant target for Yarra Trams in terms of driver shortages is
> "reliability" as defined in the agreement.
>
> The franchise agreements (except for dollar figures) are public at:
>
> https://www.tenders.vic.gov.au/contract/view?id=63990
>
> The tram target for reliability is 98%. The operators are required to
> post their performance monthly on their website.
>
> Yarra's performance page is at:
> https://yarratrams.com.au/performance-results
>
> There is also a monthly report published by PTV at:
> https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/data-and-reporting/network-performance/monthly-performance/
>
> It shows a different reliability target (98.5%) to what I read in the
> franchise agreement - not sure why.
>
> In the event of reliability falling below 93% this triggers the option of
> cancellation of the franchise.
>
> Mal Rowe - wondering what the reliability figure is in Sydney buses
>
>
>