Joint Nelson Tasman Regional
Transport Committee Agenda – 09 August 2024
7.2 Public Transport Update
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Report
To:
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Joint
Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee
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Meeting
Date:
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9
August 2024
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Report
Author:
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Lyndon
Hammond, Team Leadert -Transport Activity Managment, Nelson City Council
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Report
Authorisers:
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Dwayne
Fletcher, Strategic Policy Manager
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Report
Number:
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RNTRTC24-08-3
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1.1 To
update the Joint Nelson and Tasman Regional Transport Committee on public
transport services including patronage, revenue reporting and other matters.
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That the
Joint Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee
1. receives
the Public Transport Update and its attachment (1862260321-71163) report RNTRTC24-08-3; and
2. notes
the New Zealand Transport Agency review scope and the draft Project Outline
for the Public Transport Review (attachment 1 to the agenda report);
and
3. approves
an extension of the dogs on buses trial until the full public transport
review is completed.
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3. Background
and Discussion
Patronage
Update
3.1 Total bus patronage
for the last 24 months is shown in figure 1:
Figure
1: Total Patronage
3.2 Monthly
bus patronage has varied significantly over the last six months. January
patronage was lower, as expected due to the summer holidays for schools and
many workplaces. This was followed by much higher patronage in February and
March as schools returned and parents fully returned to work to a peak of over
90,000 passenger trips in March. Following the general trend of bus patronage
over the last few years, patronage has dropped again in April through to June.
Figure2: Total patronage 23-24 by
month
3.3 Each of the bus
routes has seen monthly increases and decreases roughly proportional to the
busyness of the route. This has resulted in the two Richmond bus routes seeing
the largest increases and decreases over the last three to four months in
particular. Patronage on Route 1 still requires overflow buses at peak times.
Figure 3 Total Patronage by route
3.4 The Community
Connect subsidies for non-Community Service Card holders ended on 1 May 2024
which significantly altered the cost of child and adult fares. Children under
12 travelled for free under Community Connect and the removal of the subsidy
reintroduced fares. This change had an immediate effect on the number of
children using the service with a drop of almost 60% in child patronage between
April and May.
3.5 A seasonal
variation is expected with a traditional increase in patronage in May. This
year’s increase was smaller than in past years (6% compared to 39% in May
2023). There was also a drop in patronage in June of 17% (average across all
fare types) and this drop is larger than the drop of 7% in June last year.
3.6 With the smaller
increase in May and larger decrease in June it is apparent that, as expected,
the removal of the subsidies has had a cooling effect on patronage on the eBus
system. With Bee card fares increasing by a small amount (5%) in July, staff
will be carefully monitoring any further changes.
Figure 4: Total patronage by fare
type
Revenue Update
3.7 eBus ticket revenue
(excluding GST) for the 11 months of the contract is shown in figure 5 below.
These figures represent ticket sales only and do not include NZTA subsidies
under the Community Connect Scheme.
Figure
5: Total ticket revenue by month
3.8 A
cost scope adjustment request was made to NZTA regarding the 2023-24 overspend
in public transport and was considered by the NZTA Values, Outcomes and Scope
(VOS) Committee in May 2024. Following robust investment quality assurance work
done by officers, NZTA agreed to support the operational overspend adjustment
for both Councils with the exception of the Stoke On Demand service. Valuable
lessons have been learned as part of the process.
3.9 In June Council
received notification of the indicative funding for continuous public transport
programme. A condition imposed as part of the approved cost scope adjustment
was that NCC and TDC carry out a service review of their PT services for the
12-month period August 2023 to August 2024, and the Council provides NZTA with
information required by NZTA for the purpose of assessing funding approval for
the 2025-27 period. This condition states the Continuous Programme funding for
Nelson City and Tasman District Councils is limited to financial year 2024/25
only, with funding contingent for years 2 and 3 being held and approved subject
to review outcomes.
3.10 NZTA have also directed that a
detailed business case for the year 3 planned improvements to frequency of
services from Wakefield and Motueka is required before co-investment from
central government is confirmed.
Public
Transport Review
3.11 Council has always intended to
review the services one year on from introduction. A project manager and
project team of key stakeholders has been established. The importance and
urgency of this review has been heightened since NZTA have informed
councils’ that continuous Public Transport funding for years 2 and 3 of
the NLTP is dependent on the outcome of that review.
3.12 It is likely that the review
will be in three main parts. A project outline for the review, including the
NZTA scope, is appended as attachment 1.
3.12.1 Firstly, to provide NZTA with
the information they require to guide funding decisions, and this is due back
with them in late November for consideration by the December VOS committee.
This part of the review will focus on exploring the performance of the current
services, compared to the forecast performance and on ensuring the maximum
value for money is being gained from the existing investment in services.
Details are included in part 1A of the attachment to this report.
3.12.2 A second aspect of the review
will consider steps that may be taken to support the service if anticipated
NZTA funding does not fully eventuate. This may include a lowered level of
service (routes or timetables withdrawn), fare increases or exploring opportunities
for third party funding. This work will inform the 2025-26 Council annual
plans.
3.12.3 The third part of the review
is at a more strategic level and will explore questions the Councils want to
consider guiding the 2027 Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP). This part of
the review will identify and recommend changes and/or improvements to the
current services, for consideration by the Joint Regional Transport Committee.
It will inform future business case requirements for planned service
improvements and capital investments.
National Ticketing Solution update
3.13 The new National Ticketing
Solution (NTS) has been branded Motu Move. Motu Move is the new ticketing and
payment solution for all public transport across New Zealand that will
introduce new ways to pay. Customers will be able to tag on and off with their
credit card or debit card, mobile phone or smart watch, or with a prepaid Motu
Move card. Roll out will commence in Canterbury in late 2024.
3.14 Nelson / Tasman was originally
scheduled for roll out in December 2026; however, amendments have bought
forward to late 2025 to coincide with other Councils using BEE cards. Officers
are working on setting up a local project team which will be well supported by
the central NTS transition team. Budget for the project is approved but will
require adjustment into the 25-26 financial year through the Annual Plan
process.
Timetable
and Route changes
3.15 The operator is having trouble
with some drivers and buses making turns at the roundabout at the start/end of
Route 1 in Richmond west. A temporary workaround involves the bus looping via
Summersfield Blvd and McShane Rd.
3.16 In mid-July, by necessity,
amendments were made to the Wakefield and Motueka services to bring them into a
more reliable timetable. These services were struggling to meet the timetable
as printed due to congestion. Buses were regularly running 10 -15 minutes late
and in some cases buses were running 40 minutes behind schedule. This resulted
in scheduling challenges for drivers and risked noncompliance with required
driver rest breaks. In addition, any large deviation from the printed timetable
risks reliability and credibility of the service in the eyes of patrons. These
changes will cost $28,000 per year and this has been accounted for in forecast
budgets. Pressure remains on timetables on other routes and changes to
these will be considered as part of the planned one year Public Transport
Review.
Dogs on Buses trial
3.17 On 1 April 2024 the second
part of a trial that allowed larger leashed and muzzled dogs onto off peak
buses commenced. Prior to this, only small dogs in carry containers were
allowed on buses. The trial has been running for 4 months and feedback has been
gathered from users (via Shape Nelson) and the operator.
3.18 Shape Nelson received 16
postings of questions or concerns regarding the trial. Reoccurring comments,
concerns and questions included;
3.18.1 Concern about allergies.
Officers note that dog allergy is not as common as cat allergy. No reports of
allergic reactions have been received. Buses are commercially cleaned each day.
3.18.2 Concern about soiling. A
number of comments and questions feared a dog soiling while on the bus and
questioned who would clean it up. Officers note that the rules are very clear
that the dog owner is responsible for any mess and cleaning kits were placed on
all buses. The operator reports no incidents where dogs have soiled the bus.
3.18.3 Concern about muzzles. A
number of comments against the need to muzzle dogs were made. Respondents cited
experience overseas where muzzles or crates are not required and felt the local
requirement for muzzles was at odds with this. Officers note that all other
services carrying dog trials within New Zealand (with the exception of
registered assistance dogs) require muzzles and recommend this continue.
3.18.4 Other animals. A request was
received to extend the trial to include cats or other animals. Officers
recommend that the trial remains dog based only.
3.18.5 A small number of comments
were simply against dogs on buses or in any public environment such as retail.
3.19 Rules about carriage of dogs
were clearly communicated and the operator reports high compliance with them,
with only one or two instances when patrons accompanied by dogs without
approved muzzles were refused entry. Further communication on what the approved
muzzle and container types was caried out as a result.
3.20 The operator has requested
that the trial to be extended to gauge any seasonal variation or issues that
may arise as the weather warms. Officers propose continuation of the trial
beyond 12 weeks and for it to be more fully considered as part of the one year
review.
Millers Acre
3.21 NZTA
have advised that while the Nelson regional bus hub facility at Millers Acre
may be eligible for consideration for funding from the NLTF, that no
funding decision will be made on this matter prior to September or October, and
that the particular funding category is highly oversubscribed. To keep the
project moving at pace Nelson City Council has proceed into pre-implementation
work involving consent and design. NZTA is aware of this and advise that if the
project is funded they will not penalise NCC for continuing on and later
seeking retrospective funding for the pre-implementation work.
4.1 
There is one decision to be made and officers recommend Option 1.
5. Important
considerations for decision making
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5.1 Fit
with Purpose of Local Government
Providing and giving effect to
Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan is a
requirement of the Land Transport Management Act 2003.
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5.2 Consistency
with Community Outcomes and Council Policy
Councils have adopted a joint
Regional Land Transport Plan and joint Regional Public Transport Plan as a
requirement of the Land Transport Management Act 2003. The development and
operation of a Public Transport service contributes to the community outcome
“our infrastructure is efficient, cost effective and meets current and
future needs”.
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5.3 Risk
Support for the ongoing dogs on
buses trial makes no substantive change to the RLTP or RPTP.
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5.4 Financial
impact
There is no financial impact
related to the decision to extend the dog trial on buses
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5.5 Degree
of significance and level of engagement
These matters are of low
significance and ongoing support of the dog trial makes no substantive change
to the joint RLTP or PTP which have previously been widely consulted
on.
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5.6 Climate
Impact
Support for growing public
transport use will contribute to reducing transport emissions.
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5.7 Inclusion
of Māori in the decision making process
No engagement with Māori has
been undertaken in preparing this report.
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5.8 Delegations
Areas of Responsibilities:
· provide the relevant councils with any advice and assistance
requested in relation to their transport responsibilities;
Powers and Limitations:
· a Joint Regional Passenger Transport Plan, including undertaking
all required consultation processes related to the preparation of this Plan.
The Joint Regional Transport Committee is responsible for the
operational oversight of the joint Nelson Tasman Public Transport Operations
Contract and associated public transport activity, including the authority to
make decisions and approve policies that support operations.
The Joint Regional Transport Committee
may approve changes to the Public Transport Operations unless the change
requires:
· A permanent change of route; or
· A permanent change to fares; or
· A permanent change to timetable.
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1.⇩
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Nelson-Tasman
PT Services 12 Month Review - Project Outline V1.3
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