Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Follow-ups from Previous RTC Meetings

Attachment 1

Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings

Meeting Held 7 March 2014

Agenda Item	Action	Person Responsible	Due Date	Status Comment
NZIER Report	Report to be prepared on the significance of the NZIER Report for the HB Region and implications for GPS submission	Chris Bain	May 2014	Agenda item at 16 May meeting
GPS Development	Have input into the development of the next GPS	Transport Mgr / NZTA	May 2014	Verbal update at this 16 May meeting
R Funds	Has a response been received from Minister Brownlee on information collated and sent in relation to R funds	Transport Mgr	May 2014	Awaiting a letter of reply from the Minister
State Highway 38 – Request for Sealing	Residents’ efforts to get SH38 sealed		Ongoing	To be left on the list for regular follow-ups
Ford Rd extension, Whakatu and Pakowhai Links Rd	To be left on the list for regular follow-ups	NZTA	Ongoing	Update at 16 May meeting
East Coast Rail Line	For regular update	AD	May 2014	Update at 16 May meeting
Public transport Update	Report to HBRC in relation to Route 12 peak time services between Hastings and Napier	MW/HC	March 2014	Refer to Public Transport Update item 16 May
Public Transport Update	Assessment taken relating to provision of evening services between Napier and Hastings	MW/HC	May 2014	Refer to Public Transport Update item 16 May
Public Transport Update	Clarification on the Total Mobility Statistics from January 2012 – March 2013 sought	MW/HC	May 2014	Refer to Public Transport Update item 16 May
RoadSafe Up Date Report	Report be prepared by NZTA outlining issues and priorities for driver licence testing	Jenny Chetwynd/Karen Styles	May 2014	An agenda item at 16 May meeting
Minor Items not on Agenda	Sealing of Expressway	Chuck Dowdell	May 2014	Verbal update 16 May on NZTA Meeting held with concerned residents

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 16 May 2014

SUBJECT: Development of the Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan

Reason for Report

1. This report is to:

1.1. approve the timeline and process for the development of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP); and

1.2. discuss and agree in principle the key strategic focus for the RLTP.

Background

2. The Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA) was amended in 2013 and now requires regional councils to prepare and approve an RLTP every six years. This plan replaces the Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) and the Regional Land Transport Programme and sets the strategic direction for land transport for the region for at least ten years, as well as forming the region’s funding bid to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for six years.

3. The full requirements for and content of the RLTP are contained in Sections 14 and 16 of the LTMA. The plan must be consistent with the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding 2015, expected to be released in July 2014.

4. The final RLTP must be adopted by the regional council no later than 30 April 2015.

5. The LTMA also requires the preparation of a Regional Public Transport Plan by 30 June 2015, to reflect changes to the way public transport services are contracted and managed.

6. An indicative timeline for the preparation of the RLTP and the RPTP was presented to this committee at its November 2013 meeting. This timeline has since been further developed and changes made due to the extended vacancy in the HBRC transport manager role. A revised timeline for both plans is attached. (Attachment 1 to this report).

RPTP Initial Steps

7. Prior to the commencement of the RPTP process, HBRC must revise its transport procurement strategy. This is an operational document setting out policies and methods for the procurement of transport services, which must be approved by NZTA.

8. A review of the bus network completed by Traffic Design Group will be presented to this committee for discussion and a decision in August. The outcomes of this review will inform the RPTP development, which will begin in earnest after this.

Strategic Direction for the RLTP

9. Under Section 16(1) of the LTMA, the RLTP must set out the region’s land transport objectives, policies and measures for at least ten financial years.

10. It is anticipated that the region’s strategic direction for the plan will build on the RLTS which was adopted in 2012. However, as the plan must also be consistent with the GPS, it is important to evaluate how the RLTS direction is likely to fit with this. In November 2013, NZTA released an early planning and investment signals document (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/planning/nltp-2015-2018/docs/nltp-15-18-early-signals.pdf), which it intends to update as consultation on the draft GPS commences in May. These signals build on the previous GPS and other policy developments.

11. The current GPS seeks “an effective, efficient, safe, secure, accessible and resilient transport system that supports the growth of our country’s economy, in order to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunities for all New Zealanders”. To deliver on this, the GPS identifies three priorities – economic growth and productivity, value for money and road safety.

12. The ‘early signals’ document highlights that 80% of the National Land Transport Fund will already be committed to existing projects, and that there is therefore limited discretionary funding available. A key focus is therefore on maximising the value of existing investments, i.e. making the best possible use of the existing network and services.

13. Appendix 2 of the document (Attachment 2 to this report) sets out the location of the key national transport issues and therefore provides high level signals as to where NZTA may be likely to prioritise its spending in the next NLTP. The issues assessed are across six areas of investment focus – moving people and goods, moving goods, network resilience, network levels of service, safety (collective risk) and safety (personal risk). Hawke’s Bay rates low across all of these except network resilience and safety (personal risk), which are medium.

14. The key focus of the current RLTS is to improve the economic efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the routes servicing the region’s economic production centres and in particular, transport routes to and from the Port of Napier. This means that in the RLTS, it was proposed that most of the available R funding should be allocated to projects aimed at facilitating safe freight movement, as described above.

15. While this may seem contrary to Hawke’s Bay’s low rating for freight movement in the early investment signals document, NZTA emphasises that this analysis alone does not determine where future investments will be made – it is high level and does not reflect the way transport networks are used and operated. Networks need to be analysed in detail to determine the location and scale of key transport issues and the outcomes that will be achieved by different investment proposals.

16. The RLTS underwent a robust development process, based on the recommendations of the Heretaunga Plains Transport Study 2012 and the Wider Region Transportation Study. Many of the large projects included in the Regional Land Transport Programme 2012 are still to progress significantly. The scale of these projects means that their implementation is a slow process and will continue on into the next three years. In light of this it is suggested that the draft RLTP should probably maintain the strategic focus set in the RLTS of improving the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the routes servicing the region’s economic production centres and the Port of Napier. However, to ensure a robust decision-making process, the Transport Advisory Group (TAG) will workshop further strategic options during June and July, and report back on the outcome of this at the August meeting.

Next Steps

17. Over the next three months the approved organisations in the region will prepare budgets and programme activities for the six financial years from 2015. The Technical Advisory Group will undertake a moderation process to ensure strategic fit and that all the necessary detail is submitted to NZTA’s online programming tool. Draft regional objectives, policies and measures will be prepared, building on those in the current RLTS. These will be brought to the August meeting of the committee for consideration.

Decision Making Process

18. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained in Part 6 Sub Part 1 of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded the following:

18.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset.

18.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation, although it may be used when the draft Regional Land Transport Plan is consulted on in late 2014.

18.3. The decision does not fall within the definition of Council’s policy on significance.

18.4. The persons affected by this decision are all ratepayers in the region.

18.5. Options that have been considered include revising the strategic focus set in the Regional Land Transport Strategy 2012-2042.

18.6. The decision is not inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

18.7. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted policy on significance and that Council can exercise its discretion under Sections 79(1)(a) and 82(3) of the Local Government Act 2002 and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community and persons likely to be affected by or to have an interest in the decision due to the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided.

2. Receives, considers and endorses, subject to any amendments, the proposed timeline and process for the development of the Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan.

3. Receives, considers and endorses in principle, subject to any amendments, the proposed strategic direction for the Regional Land Transport Plan, noting that testing of other strategic options during June/July will inform the final decision at the August 2014 Regional Transport Committee meeting.

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Attachment/s

1	RLTP / RPTP Timelines		Under Separate Cover
2	National Transport Planning Overview		Under Separate Cover

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 16 May 2014

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, provides 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) Meeting of 30 April 2014. The Transport Advisory Group is made up of road asset managers, planners and staff from Approved Organisations (AOs) - NZTA, Wairoa District Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and co-ordinated by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Transport Manager. TAG meets at least quarterly and its main purpose is to support the operation of the RTC and provide co-ordinated and timely advice backed up by technical knowledge. It gives AO staff the opportunity to discuss relevant roading issues, provide updates on key projects and any applications made for funding of projects and share information about reference groups members may have attended.

3. The main items discussed at the 30 April meeting included:

3.1. A strategic case prepared for the HB Expressway by Simon Barnett of NZTA - a similar format could be used by other authorities for the development of their projects.

3.2. The One Network Road Classification project – see progress report in Section 7 below. Concern was expressed by TAG members that in developing the proposed customer levels of service for this project, guidance has been provided on appropriate speed levels which may be in conflict with the Setting of Speed Limits Rule. Members are seeking clarification on council liability in regard to this.

3.3. The timeline and strategic direction for the Regional Land Transport Plan development, which is discussed elsewhere in this agenda.

Regional Cycling Plan

4. The last meeting of the working group for this project was on 19 November last year. Good progress was made on the content, actions, targets and timeframes for the Plan. A governance group to oversee the implementation of the plan is currently being established, with the first meeting likely at the end of May.

Regional (R) Funds Update

5. A delegation of regional councils met Minister Gerry Brownlee in August 2013 to discuss their concerns about the incorporation of the 5c per litre fuel tax (collected since 2005) into the National (N) funds. This would mean that funds which had been ring-fenced for each region would no longer be available for regional projects. Instead we would have to compete for national funding with Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury etc. The Minister requested further information on what the regions concerned had been able to achieve with the R funds to date. This has been provided and we await a formal response. However, NZTA has notified regional chairs that a contestable fund may be set aside for regions outside the major metropolitans in the Government Policy Statement 2015-18. The details of this will be released together with the draft GPS during May.

National Freight Demand Study 2014

6. This update of the 2008 freight demand study has now been released. The study was commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and can be found at http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Research/Documents/National-Freight-Demand-Study-Mar-2014.pdf

7. The study reports that nationally, there has been relatively little change between 2006-7 and 2012. Total tonnages of freight carried have risen slightly and total tonne-kilometres have fallen slightly. In terms of the tonnes carried, road, rail and coastal shipping have increased their totals but with rail growing more strongly than the other modes. In terms of tonne-kms, road and coastal shipping have fallen, partly matched by an increase in rail.

8. However there have been significant changes in the tonnages of particular commodities. The tonnage of export logs has increased by 108%, and liquid milk and dairy products are also up significantly. There has been a decline in a number of other commodities, including aggregates, concrete and petroleum.

9. The report notes that “The period since 2006-07 has been marked by a resurgence in the volumes carried by rail despite an overall demand for freight transport that has remained broadly static. ... the Hawke’s Bay line grew significantly, as a result of the transfer of Fonterra traffic to Napier. It grew over 40 per cent, but still only carried 639,000t in 2012. Since 2012 a further 200,000t has been added to this line as the traffic from Winstone Pulp International at Karioi and Tangiwai has transferred to Napier port from Wellington.”

10. The report predicts that nationally, there will be a 58% increase in tonnage of freight carried over the next thirty years.

11. In 2012, 10.29 million tonnes of freight originated in Hawkes Bay, and a further 9.92 million tonnes was transported into the region. By 2042 these figures are predicted to increase to 15.84 and 14.88 million tonnes respectively.

Funding Assistance Rates Review Update

12. Submissions to the Funding Assistance Rates Review: Options Discussion Document closed on 28 March and a decision on the proposed rates for 2015-18 will be made by NZTA Board in mid-May. NZTA reports that each council will be contacted individually after that to discuss the decision, with a formal announcement of the final rates expected by early July.

One Network Road Classification Update

13. The One Network Road Classification project has three elements. The first is classifying roads into categories based on their function in the national network. This was completed in December 2013 following engagement with road controlling authorities and other stakeholders.

14. The second element is the Customer Levels of Service (CLoS), which define what the fit for purpose outcomes are for each category in terms of mobility, safety, accessibility and amenity. Provisional CLoS have been developed but they will remain provisional until they can be fully tested as detailed performance measures for the network’s operation and maintenance are developed.

15. The third element is the development of the performance measures and targets, which will effectively determine how the categories and customer levels of service translate into specific maintenance, operational and investment decisions. This work has started and will be completed by June 2014.

16. The NZ Transport Agency Board has now formally adopted the One Network Road Classification (ONRC) for use in the development of the NLTP 2015-18. It has also replaced the State Highway Classification system with the ONRC and has reclassified the State Highway network using the ONRC.

17. Because the ONRC will be used to develop the next National Land Transport Programme 2015-18, local authorities will have to apply the ONRC to their network, identify differences in CLoS, agree appropriate performance measures and understand the financial implications of the ONRC, namely that NZTA funding will be to the agreed CLoS only. As the preparation of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) for 2015-18 is underway, it is recommended that road controlling authorities commence this work as soon as possible.

East Coast Regional Economic Potential Study

18. The East Coast Regional Economic Potential Study was released in late April and provides an overview of economic development issues and opportunities facing the East Coast study area - which covers Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier and Hastings.

19. The study was divided into two parts: Stage 1 reviews existing data and reports and includes targeted interviews with stakeholders, while Stage 2 models five economic growth scenarios and the implications for transport and skills over the next 10, 20 and 30 years. The executive summary of the Stage 1 Report is attached. (Attachment 1).

20. The study was jointly commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Ministry of Transport. A local steering group for the study was formed with the Mayors of Gisborne, Napier, Hastings and Wairoa, the Chair of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the Chairs of Te Rūnanaga o Ngāti Porou, Te Rūnanga o Turanganui a Kiwa and Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated.

21. On releasing the report, the Minister of Transport said that the study shows the economic importance of maintaining and boosting the road network in the East Coast, particularly in Gisborne. “There will be an increase in logging freight over the next decade and improved roading will be vital to support that and other industries”, Mr Brownlee says. “The study illustrates the need to develop further capacity for heavy vehicles on State Highway 35 north of Gisborne and to maintain the quality of State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Napier, and northwest of Gisborne to the Bay of Plenty. I will be asking the New Zealand Transport Agency to review its plans for these highways in light of this study.”

22. Chuck Dowdell, NZTA highways manager for the region, acknowledges the Minister’s comments and agrees that there are some resilience issues on the network, which will be addressed in time. Investment to facilitate the movement of freight on key routes is already underway, with State Highway 2 between Napier and Gisborne now open to 50 Max vehicles and regional HPMV Second Tranche investment routes having been submitted and included in the national consolidated list for subsequent economic evaluation.

Update on Priority Projects in the Regional Land Transport Programme

23. The RTC requested a regular progress / status report on the key improvement projects in the Regional Land Transport Programme, as shown in Attachment 2. The updates are high level status reports from the Approved Organisations (AOs) 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

24. For this section of the report each approved organisation (AO) provides a brief comment on any significant issues or update that is relevant to the RTC.

25. NZTA – Highway Network and Operations

25.1. Investment Logic Mapping processes (part of the Better Business Case approach) have been held in recent months, focussing on problem areas such as the Airport intersection.

25.2. Pakowhai Links Road is progressing – there is no road designation required so the project can proceed to land purchase. HNO hope that enabling works for construction will proceed in the next construction season.

25.3. Safety Retrofit programme – HNO will request funding for next year for a group of staged safety retrofit activities, with initial works likely to be on SH2 Napier- Wairoa.

25.4. The PakiPaki SH2 intersection upgrade has been confirmed as a safety project to be funded from N and will commence construction in 2014-15.

26. Hastings District Council – as reported in the update on priority projects.

27. Napier City Council – No significant issues.

28. Wairoa District Council

28.1. Road Safety statistics in the district continue to be of major concern.

28.2. Travel time on State Highway 2 Wairoa to Napier needs to be a focus of attention.

29. Central Hawke’s Bay District Council – no significant issues.

Decision Making Process

30. 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

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the Transport Manager’s report.

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Attachment/s

1	Executive Summary of East Coast Regional Economic Potential Study (2014)		Under Separate Cover
2	RLTP Project Progress Report		Under Separate Cover

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 16 May 2014

SUBJECT: Public Transport Update

Reason for Report

1. This agenda item provides the Committee with an update on Council’s public transport services, including trends since the previous update in March 2014. The report contains patronage graphs which are updated each month and provided to this Committee and the 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. Passenger trips in 2013 were almost 9% higher than in 2012. Between 2009 - 2013 passenger trips increased by 81%. In March 2014 passenger trips reached a record high of 82,265, an increase of 8% on March 2013.

3. In July 2013 the New Zealand Transport Agency gave approval for a 30 month contract extension. This means that under a contract extension variation agreement Go Bus Transport Ltd will continue to operate the urban bus contract until 30 June 2016. It is anticipated that the contract for the urban bus services will be released for tender in July 2015. The contract extension was necessary to ensure that new legislative requirements are able to be met – these include producing a new Regional Public Transport Plan and Procurement Strategy by 30 June 2015.

4. Work on the new RPTP is currently underway, with an initial network review undertaken by Traffic Design Group.

Total Passenger Trips

5. The following graph shows total passenger trips from February 2009 to March 2014.

Diagram 1 – Total Passenger Trips – February 2009 – March 2014

6. 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 789,277 65,773

2014 (Jan-Mar) 201,303 67,101

Capacity

7. The following graph outlines the seat capacity utilised on a monthly basis from March 2013 to March 2014.

Diagram 2 – Capacity – March 2013 - March 2014

SuperGold Card Trips

8. SuperGold cardholders travel free of charge between 9am and 3pm on weekdays and anytime at weekends/public holidays and continue to make very good use of this scheme. The graph below shows the number of SuperGold cardholder trips made from March 2013 – March 2014.

Diagram 3 – SuperGold Card Trips – March 2013 – March 2014.

Infrastructure

Bus Stops

9. During the 2013/14 financial year Hawke’s Bay Regional Council funded 4 new bus shelters, 2 in Napier and 2 in Hastings.

10. Regional Council staff are attempting to work with Napier City Council roading staff to implement a staged programme of formalising and marking Napier bus stops.

Bikes on Buses

11. The uptake of bikes on buses continues to increase, with over 3,000 bikes carried during 2013 and 1,059 between January and March this year.

Other

12. Due to increased patronage resulting in overloading and late running on peak time Route 12 services, the decision was made to cancel the Route 10 express service (which saw a decline in passenger trips of 12% last year) and redirect resources into 2 extra overload buses on peak time Route 12 services. These changes took effect on 5 May.

13. The mobile bus timetable application for smartphone users and the on-line bus timetable continues to be very popular, making up a large percentage of hits on the HBRC website.

Total Mobility Update

14. The Total Mobility Scheme, which is funded by regional council, local councils and the NZTA, provides subsidised taxi transport for people who have a permanent illness or disability which prevents them from using public transport.

15. The following table shows the Total Mobility Scheme statistics and expenditure during 2013-14. Staff continue to look for opportunities to ensure that any budget overspend is minimised for this financial year.

Diagram 4 – Total Mobility Statistics – April 2013-March 2014

16. In response to a query at the March meeting, Diagram 5 provides a comparison of Total Mobility expenditure and trips using monthly averages for the last two years.

Diagram 5 – Comparison of Total Mobility monthly cost and trips

17. This shows that the average cost per trip decreased in 2013 due to the variable nature of this type of transport. In Hawke’s Bay, much of the regular disability travel is rehab activity that happens in one twin city or other but not both. This can mean regular trips over longer distances. There are many variables that constantly change but overall there was an increase in activity for 2013.

Late Night Bus Services

18. At the March meeting, the Committee sought a report on the assessment that has been undertaken in relation to the provision of late night services between Napier and Hastings.

19. The Regional Public Transport Plan was adopted in 2011 and is due for revision this year. The Plan set out the levels of public transport service required in the region and specifies what improvements are planned during the following three years. A special consultative procedure (as specified in the Local Government Act 2002) is required when preparing this plan.

20. The current RPTP lists a wide range of planned improvements to the services which were requested or supported during the public consultation phases of its development, but this list does not include the provision of late night services.

21. However, as a result of safety concerns raised by alcohol harm reduction groups, Road Safe HB funded a ‘sober driver’ bus service which provided safe transport options for individuals socialising in the Ahuriri and Napier CBD areas during 2011 and 2012.

22. Benefits of the service were expected to be the reduction of public disorder and the quick dispersal of patrons at ‘spill out’ time around 3.00am. The fare was a gold coin donation and bulk funding was provided by Road Safe HB.

23. The route of the service was from Ahuriri across Bluff Hill to the Napier CBD, Taradale Road, and Kennedy Road, through Taradale and back to Ahuriri. The service was provided from December to February over the Christmas, New Year Holiday period. The ‘Thirsty Whale’ bar staff encouraged patrons onto the bus at the end of the night for a 3.15am departure. The bus used for this service was the double-decker bus owned by the Thirsty Whale.

24. During this time the bus was never full and it became apparent that it was being used by individuals and groups to be transported to private parties around the greater Napier area. This was not the intention of the service; it was intended to provide a safe mode of travel to get people back to their homes at the end of the night. There were also incidents onboard the bus including vomiting, public disorder and arguments which necessitated the provision of onboard security.

25. The ‘sober driver’ bus was not instigated through any formal process, it was an initiative that resulted from alcohol accord group meetings. There was an informal agreement between the Thirsty Whale and Road Safe HB to trial a transport service during the Christmas/New Year period. Following a 2-year trial the service was discontinued due to low patronage.

26. Other noteworthy points around the provision of late-night services include:

26.1. To provide wide coverage of the Napier/Hastings/Havelock North areas 3 buses and drivers would be needed

26.2. Without funding it would need to be a ‘user pays’ service and given the choice of a circuitous route home, it is likely many people would opt for a taxi

26.3. Security and safety concerns for passengers and the bus drivers

27. If more funding was made available for public transport, it is likely that improved services and frequencies during weekends would have a higher priority than the provision of late night services.

28. Most other regions of similar sizes to Hawke’s Bay do not run late night services, due to the low cost recovery on such services. In the Horizons region, the latest services are those to and from Massey University which cease soon after 9pm. In New Plymouth, services cease running between 6 and 7pm.

29. In Wellington, due to the large number of people socialising in the Courtenay Place/Cuba Street area of Wellington, Greater Wellington Regional Council operates late night services directly from the city centre to Eastbourne, Porirua and the Hutt Valley. Although well established these services have a low cost recovery and on some occasions disorder issues have resulted in the need for (and extra expense of) a security guard. A later service added when the licensing laws/closing hours changed proved unsuccessful and was subsequently discontinued.

30. The review of the Regional Public Transport Plan this year will provide a further opportunity to evaluate the demand for late night services.

Decision Making Process

31. 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 May 2014 Public Transport Update.

Megan Welsby

Sustainable Transport Coordinator

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 16 May 2014

SUBJECT: Transport Funding Issues – Implications for the Hawke's Bay Region

Reason for Report

1. The purpose of this report is to highlight transport funding issues for the Hawke’s Bay region in light of broader government expenditure. It has been prepared by Mr Chris Bain, the Coastal Advisory representative for the Regional Transport Committee.

Background

2. In April 2013, the NZ Institute of Economic Research published a report prepared for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Treasury on crown spending in each region of New Zealand for the fiscal year to 30 June 2012. It is the first time that government spending has been analysed on a regional basis.

3. Expenditure in each region is split into operating and capital expenditure, and then presented in two formats. The expenditure approach reflects where the money is physically spent and the service approach modifies the information to consider where the benefits of the expenditure are felt.

4. The report states that some regional differences in government expenditure are due to demographic or socioeconomic factors. Hawke’s Bay operational expenditure for instance is over-represented by social welfare, health, education and law and order spending.

Transport Expenditure

5. Analysis of the transport sections of the report is found below in Diagram 1 and shows that on a percentage basis Hawke’s Bay does comparatively poorly for transport expenditure, slightly inferior to Taranaki. On a maintenance basis (operating expenditure) Hawke’s Bay is at the lower end of all the main North Island regions listed below. On a capital basis Hawke’s Bay is even worse off with capital expenditure being less than half that of Auckland. In aggregate per capita terms, the $690 received for Hawke’s Bay roads is 35% less than provided for in Waikato, BOP and Wellington.

Diagram 1

6. However it should also be noted that this report is for one financial year and thus provides a snapshot in time. Analysis over a longer period would help to determine the scale of this issue.

7. Port of Napier Ltd recently prepared a submission to the Ministry of Transport as part of its early consultation round for the preparation of the revised Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding (Attachment 2).

8. In that submission, the Port highlighted the need for key exporting regions such as Hawke’s Bay to be given priority for land transport investment. While Port of Napier handles 10% of New Zealand’s total exports by weight, the above analysis shows that the region is being significantly disadvantaged by the current GPS in the way that policy setting then impacts on regional transport spending.

9. The new GPS must recognise the key role of major exporting regions such as Hawke’s Bay. A broader duality of purpose would place such regions alongside the Roads of National Significance as the prime focus of GPS 2015.

Decision Making Process

10. 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 report

2. Requests NZTA to report on expenditure on transport in the Hawke’s Bay region over the last five financial years.

Chris Bain

Advisor:

Port and Coastal Shipping

Attachment/s

1	Port of Napier Submission to GPS		Under Separate Cover
2	NZIER Report on Regional Government Expenditure		Under Separate Cover

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 16 May 2014

SUBJECT: Funding Assistance Rate Review

Reason for Report

1. To inform members about the initial outcomes of the Funding Assistance Rate (FAR) review.

Background

2. NZTA funds local road maintenance and improvements, passenger transport, road safety and transport planning activities in partnership with territorial local authorities and regional councils, by contributing a portion of the cost of these activities from the National Land Transport Fund. The proportion of the cost received by each council is termed its Funding Assistance Rate (FAR).

3. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has undertaken a review of the way the FAR is calculated, as it was not confident that the existing method of setting these rates was still valid given the statutory frameworks and policy settings in existence today and the fact that the last major changes to the FAR were made over 30 years ago.

4. In late 2013 NZTA released a document which set out a number of options for calculating the FAR and provided an indication to each council of the likely effects of each method. Submissions on these options closed on 28 March 2014.

5. The Board of the NZ Transport Agency recently made some initial key decisions on the review of the FARs. A letter setting out those decisions and outlining the additional work that is required to complete this review and determine individual FARs has been sent to councils. Additional information on the review is on their website.

6. Reviewing how FARs are set is a complex task concerned with apportioning the costs of our national transport network appropriately between the road user and the ratepayer.

7. The NZTA will provide a presentation to the RTC on the FAR review including the initial decisions made by the Board, the transition and what happens next.

Decision Making Process

8. 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 “Funding Assistance Rate Review” report.

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Attachment/s

FAR Initial Decisions

Under Separate Cover

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 16 May 2014

SUBJECT: Roadsafe Update Report

Reason for Report

1. This is to be a regular report that provides the Committee with a snapshot of road safety activities that are being undertaken under the Road Safety Action Plans and as necessary will brief the Committee on any current or upcoming issues relevant to road safety.

2. There are a number of strategic documents that provide the direction for the Road Safety Activities. These include:

2.1. Government Policy Statement for Land Transport 2012

2.2. Safer Journeys 2020

2.3. Communities at Risk Register

2.4. NZTA Briefing Notes

2.5. NZ Police Strategies

2.6. RoadSafe HB Strategic Plan (2013-16).

3. The current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS) expands on the strategic direction set out in the Safer Journeys 2020 strategy and continues the government’s strong focus on removing bottlenecks, encouraging economic growth and productivity and improving road safety.

4. Road safety incorporates a range of elements including network improvement, road policing, and education and awareness. Roadsafe HB and the road safety action plans focus on education and awareness programmes in co-ordination with road policing activities and proposed network improvements.

Regional Road Safety Priority Issues for 2013-14

5. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay is part of a road safety group that develops and implements road safety education opportunities that support the National and Regional Strategic Documents listed above. The overall goal is to work towards: “A safe road system increasingly free of death and serious injury” (Safer Journeys 2020).

6. Partners include NZ Police, NZTA Traffic Safety Engineers, HB District Health Board, ACC, district and city council transport staff and other associated groups. By working in partnership, the intention is to develop road safety programmes that focus on the region’s priority issues and support the intended outcomes identified in the regional and strategic documents. By working in partnership, the reach and scope of the activities are increased and capitalise on the expertise of the partners.

7. The Regional Road Safety Priority Issues for 2013-14 are:

7.1. Central Hawke’s Bay

7.1.1. Alcohol & Drugs

7.1.2. Loss of Control Rural Roads

7.2. Hastings District

7.2.1. Alcohol & Drugs

7.2.2. Intersections

7.2.3. Motorcycles

7.2.4. Loss of Control Rural Roads – Head on

7.2.5. Speed

7.2.6. Young Drivers

7.3. Wairoa

7.3.1. Alcohol and Drugs

7.3.2. Loss of Control Rural Roads – Head on

7.3.3. Speed

7.3.4. Young Drivers

7.4. Napier

7.4.1. Intersections

7.4.2. Speed.

8. Traffic incidents are reported in a number of different ways and a number of indicators are needed to understand whether the road safety programmes are effective.

Funding

9. The Road Safety programme is funded from three sources:

9.1. HBRC targeted rate

9.2. Territorial Authorities contribution (Wairoa District Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council)

9.3. NZTA.

10. The budget is currently on target and all funds have been allocated to the key road safety issues

Report

7 March 2014 – May 2014

11. Fatigue Stops: The 2013-2014 joint fatigue & alcohol stops have been completed for the financial year along with the Truck Health & Safety Checkpoints

12. Staff Work Plans: All activities are on track. A full review will be undertaken in June with all staff to attend.

13. HB Youth Alcohol Expo: Planning is on track, the dates are the 26 - 30 May.

May – 30 June 2014

14. Staff Meeting: A full staff meeting will be held in June to review Staff Work Plans, and discuss the 2014 – 2015 Work Plans. These will be finalised by 15 July 2014

15. Linda Anderson – Regional Manager has contracted a full review of the HB Youth Alcohol Expo. The review will include the content, the expected outcomes and learning opportunities and all other components of the Expo, as well as any improvements that could enhance the learning opportunity. This will be made available to the Regional Transport Committee and other road safety partners in August 2014.

Current Statistics

16. Attachment 1 demonstrates the reduction in crashes and the cost of crashes in the Hawke’s Bay region over the last five years.

17. There have been five road deaths in the Gisborne - Hawkes Bay regions for the period 1 January to 28 April 2014. The year to date death toll over the last five years nationally is set out in Table 1.

Table 1: Weekly road deaths update by Local Government Region as at midnight Monday, 28 April 2014


Local Government Region	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Northland	10	4	5	4	5
Auckland	22	16	15	18	14
Waikato	24	23	12	14	21
Bay of Plenty	19	4	8	8	13
Gisborne & Hawkes Bay	9	8	11	5	5
Taranaki	2	3	3	1	3
Manawatu / Wanganui	15	8	9	3	12
Wellington	4	5	6	5	1
Nelson / Marlborough	17	3	2	3	2
West Coast	1	4	2	2	2
Canterbury	4	8	11	15	8
Otago	8	9	7	2	5
Southland	4	-	3	1	5
Total	139	95	94	81	96

Decision Making Process

18. The Committee 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 report.

Linda Anderson

Regional Manager

RoadSafe Hawke's Bay

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Attachment/s

1 View

Hawke’s Bay Road Crash Summary

Item	Topic	Councillor / Staff
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