Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 17 May 2013

SUBJECT: Public Transport Update

Reason for Report

1. This agenda item provides the Committee with an update on the Regional Council’s public transport services, including trends since the previous update in January 2013. The report contains patronage graphs which are updated each month and provided to this Committee and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Corporate and Strategic Committee.

General Information

2. The overall performance of the bus service continues to be positive, with passenger growth still increasing.

Total Passenger Trips

3. The following graph shows total passenger trips from February 2009 to March 2013. Passenger trips for the month of March 2013 were the highest on record at 76,119.

Diagram 1 – Total Passenger Trips – February 2009 - March 2013

4. Since 2009 the total numbers of trips per year and monthly averages have steadily trended upwards, as follows.

Total Yearly Trips Monthly Average

2009 434,231 36,186

2010 512,657 42,721

2011 616,198 51,350

2012 726,373 60,531

2013 (Jan-Mar) 191,338 63,779

Capacity

5. This graph shows the seat capacity utilised on a monthly basis from March 2012 to March 2013. The average utilised capacity for 2012 was 42%.

Diagram 2 – Capacity – March 2012 - March 2013

SuperGold Card Trips

6. The following graph shows the number of SuperGold cardholder trips made from March 2012 to March 2013. SuperGold cardholders continue to make very good use of this scheme.

Diagram 3 – SuperGold Card Trips – March 2012 - March 2013

Passenger Categories

7. The following chart shows a breakdown of passenger categories during 2012.

Diagram 4 – Passengers by Category – January - December 2012

Infrastructure

Bus Stops

8. The bus stop signage trial in Flaxmere is due to began in late April/early May, with the installation of bus stop signs, each with a unique bus stop number, installed at 31 bus stops across Flaxmere. The signs will be monitored for durability and if the trial is deemed successful, may be rolled out at other bus stops in Hastings and Napier.

Bikes on Buses

9. The uptake of bikes on buses has exceeded expectations. Since the installation of the bike racks on the front of most of the buses in the fleet, over 640 bikes have been carried.

Other

10. To enable the public to find bus stops more easily, ‘bus stop locator’ cards for each route have been designed and will be available for distribution in late April/early May.

11. A new range of promotional posters and postcards will be available in late April/early May for display and distribution. The design style was specifically chosen to appeal to students/teenagers/young adults.

12. The mobile bus timetable application for Smartphone users is proving to be very popular. In March there were 1100 hits on the website via the mobile app (15% of total hits on the goBay page).

Total Mobility Update

13. Below is a table showing details of Total Mobility client numbers and expenditure from July 2012 to February 2013. (March statistics were unavailable at the time of writing this update).

Diagram 5 – Total Mobility Statistics – July 2012 - March 2013

Decision Making Process

14. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the Public Transport Update.

Megan Welsby

Sustainable Transport Coordinator

Carol Gilbertson

Transport Manager

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 17 May 2013

SUBJECT: Transport Manager's Report

Reason for Report

1. This regular report provides the Committee with a snapshot of relevant transport matters; comments on issues that have been actioned since the last Regional Transport Committee (RTC) meeting; updates from the Transport Advisory Group (TAG) on issues raised at their regular meetings; and outlines what is coming up within the transport sector.

Current Issues

2. Update from Transport Advisory Group (TAG) Meetings

2.1. Two TAG meetings have been held since the last RTC meeting. The main items discussed at these meetings were:

2.1.1. 8 March 2103 - Ford Road Project

· As requested by the RTC at the February meeting TAG discussed reprioritising the Ford Road project to allow for the project to be funded earlier than programmed in the National Land Transport Programme. The conclusion reached by the majority of TAG members was that the priorities stay as consulted in the RLTP, and that the Ford Road project will not be re-prioritised and not submitted by the RTC for consideration of earlier funding, until there is greater certainty about the higher priority projects design and cost profiles.

2.1.2. 17 April 2013 – Funding Assistant Rate (FAR) Review

· TAG held an extra meeting to consider and agree the content of the submission on the FAR review from the Regional Transport Committee. This was then submitted on 1 May 2013. An acknowledgement of receipt of the submission has been received. The second round of consultation will be in early 2014.

3. Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) – Consultation Document

3.1. The consultation document on PTOM, which includes proposed changes to the NZTA Procurement Manual, was released by NZTA on 23 April. Subsequently NZTA held a workshop on this on Thursday, 2 May where Transport officers, operators and NZTA were given a briefing on the contents of the document. Submissions are open until 21 June 2013. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will be submitting on this document.

4. Submissions to Territorial Authorities Annual Plans – National Car Pooling Initiative

4.1. At the request of the Regional Transport Committee submissions have been made to each of the TA’s, as part of consultation on their annual plans, requesting provision be included in their 2013/14 Annual Plan to enable Hawke’s Bay to become part of the national car pooling initiative. Hawke’s Bay is the only region in the north island yet to sign up to the ‘Lets Carpool’ programme.

Reporting on Priority Projects in the Regional Land Transport Programme

5. The RTC asked for a regular progress / status report on the key improvement projects in the Regional Land Transport Programme, as shown in Attachment 1. The updates are high level status reports from the Approved Organisations (AO’s) and give the RTC a brief overview of current progress. The RTC will note that not all projects in the RLTP are shown, only the key improvement projects with the highest priority in the RLTP and those that contribute to the key aims of the Regional Land Transport Strategy.

Approved Organisations – Significant Issues and Update

6. Hastings District Council

6.1. No significant issues to report.

7. Napier City Council

7.1. No significant issues to report.

8. Wairoa District Council

8.1. No significant issues to report.

9. Central Hawke’s Bay District Council

9.1. CHBDC will be carrying forward funding ($1m+) from this year’s maintenance and renewal programmes to complete work in the new fiscal year.

Looking Ahead

10. Regional Cycling Plan

10.1. As outlined at the last RTC meeting a workshop is being held on Friday, 24 May to seek input from key stakeholders for inclusion in the Regional Cycling Plan. The workshop is entitled “Maximising the Return for Hawke’s Bay” and focuses on three key themes – liveability; health; and tourism. Three key speakers will address the workshop and an interactive panel discussion will follow the speakers.

11. Land Transport Management Amendment Act (LTMAA)

11.1. The LTMAA was due to be considered by Parliament in March and the Act enacted in April. Due to time constraints the second reading of the bill never took place. This is now expected sometime between now and July.

Decision Making Process

12. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee receive the Transport Manager’s report.

Carol Gilbertson

Transport Manager

Attachment/s

1 View

May 2013 Update on RLTP Projects 2012-15

May 2013 Update on RLTP Projects 2012-15

Attachment 1

Prioritised Activities for 2012-15 – RTC Update – May 2013

RTC Priority	Organisation	Project name and description	NLTP Decision	Funding source	Indicative NLTP Funding Allocation	Status Update
1	HDC	Whakatu Arterial Link 2012/15.	*Probable*	R	*2,865,000*	Design and Assessment of Environmental Effects phase is on track. It is expected to be completed by July 2013.
2	NZTA	HB Expressway Pakowhai & Links Rd Intersection	*Probable*	R	*6,483,000*	Investigation Phase initiated.
3	NZTA	SH2 Napier Road Intersection - proposed 3 legged roundabout as standalone project; 4 legged with Whakatu outlet	*Probable*	R	*3,743,000*	Subject to outcome of HDC Whakatu Arterial investigation.
4	NCC	Extension to Ford Rd to connect to existing Prebensen Dr / Severn St roundabout - including extension of off road cycle/pedestrian network	*Probable*	R	*3,571,441*	Ready to proceed.
5	NCC	Four laning of Prebensen Drive between HB Expressway and Hyderabad Road	*Reserve*	R	*6,400,000*	Currently below funding line.
6	NZTA	Prebensen Drive / Hyderabad Rd Intersection Upgrade	*Reserve*	R	*2,295,000*	Currently below funding line.
7	NZTA	HB Expressway Kennedy Rd to Meeanee Rd - wire rope barrier to improve safety and capacity of this section of expressway (possible 4 laning)	*Reserve*	R	*162,000*	Currently below funding line.
9	NZTA	Seismic Retrofit - treatment of various seismic retrofit and seismic linkage sites to ensure the delivery of a secure integrated network	*Probable*	R	*1,500,000*	NZTA: No works programmed for this region.
13	NZTA	Improved Driver Information - to optimise the network by managing the movement of people and freight	*Probable*	R	*876,800*	Awaiting confirmation of national programme.
14	NZTA	Safety Retrofit - corridor type initiatives focussed on higher risk corridors	*Probable*	R	*2,212,023*	NZTA: Programme under development.
15	NZTA	SH2/SH50A Paki Paki Junction	*Not included*		0	Currently below funding line.
16	NZTA	Te Mahanga Sth -Passing Lane	*Now N funded*			Programmed for practical completion April 2013.
21	NZTA	Property Acquisition Block and Fees - Hawke's Bay	*Probable*	R	*2,812,500*	NZTA: No draw down to date.

Regional Directors Report

Attachment 1

Report to:	Hawke’s Bay Regional Transport Committee
Presenter:	Jenny Chetwynd, Regional Director
Date:	17 May 2013

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on NZTA’s role in the delivery of the Regional Land Transport Strategy and the National Land Transport Programme in the Hawke’s Bay Region and to provide an update on key initiatives that may affect the strategic development of the regional transport network or the users of that network.

1. National Transport Operating Environment

1.1 National Economic Outlook

Following a soft patch of activity in the middle of 2012, the New Zealand economy is looking more positive. December quarter GDP rose a robust 1.5%, to be 2.5% higher for the year, its strongest growth rate since 2008. Growth was broad based across industries, with the forestry and logging sector performing especially well in the quarter and construction picking up as expected.

The strong December quarter GDP result helped to contribute to overall, a solid 2012 year for growth. The main contributors on the expenditure side were consumption and investment, including both business and residential investment. Net exports only had a slight positive contribution in the year, as the high exchange rate made imports more attractive. One factor detracting from the solid growth in 2012 has been the weak performance of the labour market. The unemployment rate remains elevated, and employment growth is subdued. The labour market is expected to show some more strength later in 2013, particularly as the Canterbury rebuild continues to ramp up.

Economic Indicators released during March point to ongoing strength in the first half of 2013. Activity indicators for the manufacturing and services sector rose, while business and consumer confidence continued to improve. This summer’s drought will have an impact on the economy, but recent rain should allay any fears of further intensification of the drought so the economic impact is expected to be largely contained to the 2013 calendar year, with the negative impact on real GDP growth estimated to be approximately 0.7% points down from what it would have been otherwise.

2. National Priorities

In response to the economic challenges facing New Zealand and also the continuing emphases on safety several national priorities are being pursued through the country’s various transport management institutions. These are all areas in which the RTC has an interest.

2.1. FAR Review

Submissions on the first stage of consultation for the FAR review closed on 3 May. NZTA presented to a workshop to our regional transport partners on 5 April and by invitation to Central Hawke’s Bay District and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council individually. This was to enable potentially affected partners to directly engage and seek clarification before making a submission. The FAR working group will spend the next couple of months working through submissions before making a recommendation to the NZTA board around the preferred approach or approaches. In November we will commence the second round of consultation on that preferred approach. Further information can be found on the NZTA website http://www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation/far-review/index.html.

2.2. Improving Efficiency of Freight Movements

Work is progressing on determining priority for local authority roads for assessment as feeders to approved HPMV routes.

The first round of the Central New Zealand freight story regional workshops has been completed. The Hawke’s Bay workshop was held in Napier on the 20^th February, and was attended by a mix of people from NZTA, industry and local government. Once we have completed the collation of all individual workshop outputs we will develop a central New Zealand summary of the freight issues.

The Hawke’s Bay workshop objective was to identify key economic and infrastructure strengths of the region, before focusing on the key issues, constraints, opportunities and priorities for improving movement of freight in, out and around the region. Unsurprisingly, the regions primary industries: forestry, primary production and manufacturing (e.g. McCains, Heinz-Wattie, and PanPac) were identified as the region’s economic strength, while the port, road network and rail were all identified as the key infrastructure strengths. We are working through workshop outputs to understand how those economic and infrastructure strengths impact on issues, constraints, opportunities and priorities. We hope to be able to report both the outcomes of the Hawke’s Bay workshops to the Regional Transport Committee at its next meeting.

2.3 Road Maintenance Taskforce / Roading Efficiency Group

While there have been no significant developments in Hawke’s Bay to report since the last RTC meeting members may be interested to note progress in Gisborne. There a collaboration agreement between NZTA and Gisborne District Council (GDC) has reached the stage where a detailed business case endorsed by GDC is progressing through the Agency’s approval process. A four person governance board will meet in May.

2.4 Achieve Safer Speeds to Reduce Deaths and Serious Injuries

The focus on safer speeds is at the heart of the safer journeys vision of creating a safe road system which is increasingly free of deaths and serious injuries. A key goal is to manage crash forces to survivable levels, by aligning travel speeds with road function and design, ensuring we have safer roads and roadsides, safer vehicles and safer people.

2.5 Land Transport Management Amendment Bill

The Government continues to progress its legislative programme, and the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee recently reported back on the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill. The Bill proposes amendments to: simplify the transport objectives of the LTMA and the NZTA, amend the makeup of Regional Transport Committees, simplify consultation processes for tolling schemes, and procurement processes in relation to PPPs. The Bill will also incorporate some of the provisions the soon-to-be-repealed Public Transport Management Act (allowing for the formal establishment of the Public Transport Operating Model).

3. Delivering the National Land Transport Programme

3.1. Funding Approvals

Activity description	Organisation	Approved	Amount
Whakatu Arterial Link Investigation	Hastings District Council	11 February 13	$399,000
Emergency Work Cost increase	Hastings District Council	28 March 13	$210,600
Emergency Work	Hastings District Council	28 March 13	$148,000
Model Communities W & C Havelock Arterial Investigation	Hastings District Council	2 April 13	$100,000
Model Communities W & C Cycling Infrastructure	Hastings District Council	2 April 13	$814,000
Model Communities W & C Monitoring and Evaluation	Hastings District Council	2 April 13	$232,000
Model Communities W & C Marketing and Promotion	Hastings District Council	2 April 13	$543,000
Activity Management Plan	Hastings District Council	3 May 13	$240,000
Preventative Maintenance	Hawke’s Bay Highways and Network Operations	4 February 13	$253,000
Napier to Gisborne Passing Opportunities Investigations Cost increase	Hawke’s Bay Highways and Network Operations	4 March 13	$142,200 now ($454,000)
Model Communities Investigation	Hawke’s Bay Highways and Network Operations	27 March 13	$200,000
SH2/50A Paki Paki Intersection Design	Hawke’s Bay Highways and Network Operations	25 March 13	$160,000
Expressway Pakowhai Links Road Intersection Investigation	Hawke’s Bay Highways and Network Operations	17 April 13	$106,000

3.2 Managing State Highway Network

3.2.1 Maintenance and Operations
Road maintenance including pavement repairs, surfacing repairs, drainage, other structures, barrier maintenance, vegetation control, winter maintenance, environmental maintenance, traffic services and cycle-ways maintenance as per local authority agreements.	Majority of maintenance work is completed for the year. NZTA internal auditors commented on the high standard of the H/B network, relative to the national SH performance. We are proactively reducing our forward works programs to meet national fiscal, whist continuing to maintain service levels for the appropriate road classification. Mohaka bridge has been successfully resurfaced with asphalt. Additional drainage holes in the deck have been created to prevent water retention on deck surface, reducing the risk of aqua planning. Annual skid resistance investigation and remedial work has been completed for this year. This includes removing of “slick” surfacings, which improves the surface and with it, safety for road users. Tutaekuri (Waitangi) Bridge, SH 2, will shortly be undergoing concrete repairs and protection. Tendering will be released in May and work planning to commence in July/August. There will be minimal disruption to traffic as work will be completed from underneath the bridge.
Emergency Reinstatement	Final guard rail work is being completed as part of the work package; all significant re – instatement work have been completed.
3.2.2. Maintenance Renewals
Maintenance Chip Sealing (MCS)	Programmed work has been completed. NZTA undertook 48.1km of resurfacing this year.
Pavement Rehabilitation	Programme has been completed. NZTA completed 6.8km of pavement rehabilitation, greater that 100m long, this year.
Consultation of Renewal programme	This has been completed for this financial year.

3.3 SH2 Napier to Gisborne Passing Opportunities

NZTA is targeting the delivery of nine opportunities this coming construction season, with any residual work carried over to the following year. Seven sites are located between Napier and Wairoa, with the remaining two located between Wairoa and Gisborne - just north of Morere. There are two passing opportunities in the Gisborne Region (Kopua Hill) but will not form part of the nine targeted. The opportunity remains to deliver these with available ‘R’ funds.

It is intended to advertise four Physical Works Contracts between May and August 2013, for a timely start at the beginning of the 2013/14 construction season. Once contracts have been tendered, the NZTA will then determine whether there are sufficient funds to enable the construction of an additional passing opportunity. We have identified subsequent priorities should this opportunity eventuate but will not be able to confirm construction until significant progress on the initial nine has been made.

3.4 Improving the Effectiveness of Public Transport

NZTA is working closely with Council to ensure that the impending changes to the public transport environment are fully understood. At this time the legislation has been delayed and as a consequence NZTA has approved Council’s request for a 2 year extension to the current PT contract. This time extension will allow Council to amend its Regional Public Transport Plan as well as to ensure that the principles of the LTMA are embedded in any new contract documents. NZTA will continue to work with Council to make this transition as smooth as possible.

4. Improving the Road Safety System

4.1 Making our network safer

4.1.1 Schedule of network safety activities

Minor Safety

All AWT with safety widening has been completed.

The slip Lane at Meeanee Rd Interchange has been completed but is still under traffic control.

The Electronic "Queue Ahead" sign at Meeanee overbridge is about to be installed (within next week or so)

Flush Median has been installed at Bayview in conjunction with resealing

The wide centre line on the Expressway - Kennedy to Meeanee section - is well underway and should be completed within 2 weeks depending on weather.

Extra shoulder width at Bayview north of the Petane Domain to ensure cyclist safety will be constructed after the Wide centreline is complete.

Similarly a 50m length of shoulder widening immediately north of Mangaroa Rd will be carried out once the Wide Centreline is completed.

Guard railing on the Glengarry Hill has been completed.

Guard Railing of the curve at the Whirinaki Bluff and the north end of the Te Aute hill will commence shortly - tenders have been received.

Speed changes

Various Sections of State Highway are being reviewed with the possibility of speed reductions. These will be investigated and if appropriate, consultation will be carried out with peer groups.

Other initiatives

Passing opportunities between Gisborne and Napier have been reviewed for safety to enable tendering in line with project timelines.

Approved: Jenny Chetwynd, Regional Director

Date: 8 May 2013

Regional Directors Report

Attachment 1

Appendix 1: State Highways Capital Works Projects 2012/2015

Project name	Phase	Funding Status		Comment
Tarawera Hill Realignment and PL's	I	Committed	R	Complete
09-12 Roading - VDM Projects - Hawke's Bay & Gisborne	I	Committed	N	Complete
09-12 Roading - Bay View to SH2/SH5 Intersection Seal Widening	I	Committed	R	Complete
09-12 Roading - Corkscrew Gully Northbound Passing Lane	D	Committed	NR	Practically Complete
09-12 Roading - Corkscrew Gully Southbound Passing Lane	D	Committed	R	Practically Complete
09-12 Roading - College Road to Silverstream Realignment & P	D	Committed	R	Subject to land purchase
09-12 Roading - SH2 Napier to Gisborne Passing Opportunities	D	Committed	R	Design review complete. Construction 13/14
Waipukurau Overbridge Realignment	C	Committed	N	Complete
HB Expressway Southern Extension	C	Committed	R	Complete
Matahorua Gorge Realignment	C	Committed	NR	Complete
09-12 Roading - Te Mahanga Nth Passing Lane	C	Committed	N	Complete
09-12 Roading - SH2 South of SH50 Passing Lane	C	Committed	R	Complete
09-12 Roading - Poukawa Swamp Sth Passing Lane	C	Committed	N	Complete
HB Expressway Pakowhai & Links Rd Intersection	I	Probable	R	Investigation Phase Underway
HB Expressway Pakowhai & Links Rd Intersection	D	Probable	R	Project currently in investigation phase – future phase

HB Expressway Pakowhai & Links Rd Intersection	P	Probable	R	Project currently in investigation phase – future phase
HB Expressway Pakowhai & Links Rd Intersection	C	Probable	R	Project currently in investigation phase – future phase
SH2 Napier Road Intersection	C	Probable	R	Subject to outcome of HDC Whakatu Arterial investigation
Improved Driver Information - Hawke’s Bay	C	Probable	R	Awaiting confirmation of national programme
Property Acquisition Block and Fees - Hawke’s Bay	C	Probable	R	No draw down to date
Te Mahanga Sth -Passing Lane	C	Probable	N	Practically Complete
Seismic Retrofit - Hawke’s Bay	C	Probable	R	No works programmed for this region this period
Safety Retrofit - Hawke's Bay	C	Probable	R	Programme under development
HB Expressway Kennedy Rd to Meeanee Rd	I	Reserve	R	Currently below funding line
Wairoa SEDF (North of Napier SEDF)	I	Reserve	R	Completed 2009/12
Wairoa SEDF (North of Napier SEDF)	D	Reserve	R	Currently below funding line
Prebensen Drive / Hyderabad Rd Intersection Upgrade	C	Reserve	R	Currently below funding line

Agenda Item	Action	Person Responsible	Due Date	Status Comment
State Highway 38 – Request for Sealing	To be left on the list for regular follow-ups		ongoing
Napier – Gisborne Rail Line	NZTA to meet with freight operators in HB and Gisborne re concerns about current network	NZTA	April	Any further information will be provided verbally at the meeting.
Year Ahead for RTC	Staff develop a Management Plan for HB Cycle Trails	CG	April	Drew Broadley, HBRC, will give a brief update on the Management Plan at the meeting.
Transport Manager’s Report	Napier City Council request re Ford Road Extension	CG/TAG	April	Update included in Transport Managers Report
Napier to Gisborne Rail Line	Request to provide comparison traffic counts since the rail line was closed from Napier to Gisborne	NZTA	April	Information will be provided by NZTA at the meeting.
General Business Paki Paki School	60KM Hour speed limit	CG/CWallace	April	A verbal update will be provided at the meeting.

Item	Topic	Councillor / Staff
1.	RoadSafe Governance Group – date for next meeting	Carol Gilbertson
2.
3.
4.
5.