Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Meeting of the Regional Transport Committee

Date: Friday 11 September 2020

Time: 12.30pm

Venue:

Council Chamber

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

159 Dalton Street

NAPIER

Agenda

Item Title Page

1. Welcome/Notices/Apologies

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on 19 June 2020

4. Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings 3

5. Call for Minor Items Not on the Agenda 7

Decision Items

6. Regional Land Transport Plan 9

Information or Performance Monitoring

7. Draft Hawke's Bay Regional Cycle Plan 2020-25 35

8. Transport Manager's September 2020 Report 55

9. September 2020 Public Transport Update 59

10. RoadSafe Hawke's Bay September 2020 Update 63

11. NZTA Central Region – Regional Relationships Director’s September 2020 Report 67

12. Update from the NZTA Investment Assurance Team 119

13. Update on Napier Port and Port Related Activities Impacting Regional Transport 137

14. Verbal Updates by Advisory Representatives

15. Discussion of Minor Matters Not on the Agenda 139

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 11 September 2020

Subject: Regional Land Transport Plan

Reason for Report

1. This item provides the Committee with an update on progress with the Hawke’s Bay Transport Study and the development of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) for 2021, and seeks the Committee’s approval of the proposed initial sections of the draft RLTP as attached.

Executive Summary

2. The Committee received information about the preparation of the RLTP and received a draft of the initial sections of the RLTP at its last meeting on 19^th June.

3. The RLTP is a statutory document that must be prepared every six years, as required by the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA) and comprises two key parts:

3.1. The strategic policy section has a minimum ten-year outlook and includes land transport objectives, policies and measures required by the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA)

3.2. The regional transport programme, which sets out a programme of proposed land transport activities over a six-year period, and a ten-year financial forecast.

4. Preparation and adoption of the RLTP is informed by the Government Policy Statement for transport and in turn informs the National Land Transport Programme. The RLTP was previously expected to be prepared by the RTC and adopted by the Regional Council by April 2021.

5. However, as we navigate the impacts of Covid-19 and develop both national and regional land transport plans, the NZTA has recently extended the deadlines for regional councils to submit their RLTPs - from 30 April to 30 June 2021, and to defer adoption of the NLTP - from 30 June to 31 August 2021.

6. There will be an extension to the 2018-21 NLTP to cover the two-month gap, and the NZTA will be working through what is needed to ensure approved activities being delivered during that period continue to be funded.

7. This report considers the next steps for the completion of the RLTP and includes the further development of the RLTP strategic context front end by seeking direction from the committee about the objectives and policies.

Background / Discussion

NLTP process

8. The NZTA has been impacted significantly by COVID-19, not just in terms of its work programme, but also in relation to budgets and financial forecasts. Consequently, there have been delays in the release of the final Government Policy Statement (GPS) and the Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal (WKIP).

9. The WKIP impacts on the preparation of the region’s RLTP as it sets out the activities that are proposed by the NZTA for investment in the NLTP. It includes proposed state highway activities and other activities NZTA leads on behalf of the sector. The draft WKIP is provided to Regional Transport Committees (RTCs) to help with preparation of Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs) and is not expected to be released until October/November.

10. Early investment signals for RLTP development from the NZTA are that the strategic direction of the GPS 2021 will build on and embed that in GPS 2018. They indicate that the government focus for investment in the 2021-24 NLTP will be on maintaining current levels of service for the land transport system, delivering continuous programmes and meeting current commitments. In meeting commitments for the baseline programmes of activities, they expect funding will remain tight for the 2021-24 NLTP.

11. The NZTA have advised that funding allocations in the GPS mean there will be limited funding for any new projects to start in the 2021-24 NLTP.

RLTP Iterative Process

12. The RTC has already addressed the start of the strategic section of the RLTP at its June meeting and will be continuing with the development of draft objectives and policies at this meeting. Alongside this, the RTC along with its technical advisors have been working with technical consultants to identify and assess a range of potential management interventions across the transport network. This work supports the Programme Business Case (PBC) for the RLTP which is being developed by Stantec Ltd, under contract to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

13. The PBC draws on data and evidence to demonstrate the scale of the problems identified and defining the benefits and opportunities that are expected from investment into identified programmes and supports the development of the RLTP.

14. The first part of the PBC process looked at problems, benefits, investment objectives and opportunities. These were identified and discussed by the study team and key stakeholders at the Problem Definition workshop where participants looked at evidence in support of the problems and investigated the case for investment. A report on the workshop held on 29 May to commence preparation of the strategic case was provided to the Committee in June. A further workshop, following one-on-one discussions with the investment partners, was held June 22. The workshop included a wider group of stakeholders to review the draft the investment logic map (ILM (developed from the first workshop). The workshop also identified a long list of activities or interventions to address the problems or opportunities.

15. The process used to reduce the long list of interventions using a multi criteria assessment methodology was discussed and agreed by the partners technical advisory group at a workshop on 27 August. The workshop outputs and methodology were further considered by the RTC at a workshop prior to this meeting. This work will be described in the final PBC report.

16. Completion of the PBC also requires consideration of the financial and programming aspects. It cannot be fully completed until the NZTA have completed their WKIP and GPS processes. The final PBC report will be based on the best available information and is expected in October.

17. The RLTP also requires submissions from each of the contributing organisations. This includes the local land transport plans and investment priorities currently in development by the 4 territorial authorities as part of the preparation of Council Long Term Plans. These are normally collated from the information provided by the agencies through TIO (Transport Investment Online data base). Timelines for input into TIO have been delayed at a national level. While the data can be prepared for inputting in advance of TIO being available, it is complex data and its assembly for inputting into the RLTP is greatly facilitated by TIO.

18. Delays at the national level as well as in the delivery of the PBC mean the next steps of the RLTP development process will need to be somewhat iterative as objectives and policies are examined and the range of options are considered within the context of funding and priorities at both local and national levels.

19. Given the government has provided for an extension to the completion of the RLTP, the RTC could delay final decision making until their next scheduled meeting and release a consultation document then. The next scheduled RTC would normally be in March 2021 unless an alternative date is scheduled to enable earlier progress. This will impact on other work programmes, including preparation of LTPs by all the councils. A decision on the draft RLTP could be made in December provided some additional process steps are included but progress is still dependent on outside influences.

20. Should the RTC wish to proceed with decision making on a draft RLTP with the aim of agreeing on a draft for public consultation at their December meeting, it is suggested that the committee approve an additional workshop in November to consider financial and plan implementation of the RLTP prior to their final decision making in December. Despite this, the delivery of the final draft for the committee’s consideration is still impacted by the later timeframes for delivery of the national direction and it may not be possible to complete the final decision making until early in 2021.

Next Steps

21. The strategic case section of the Programme Business Case will be completed following the direction provided by the workshop prior to this meeting. The final PBC report is expected in October.

22. Decisions about prioritisation of the work programme are still to be made by the RTC. This could be part of the further RLTP development at the suggested additional November workshop.

23. The completion of these remaining workstreams will enable the strategic front-end to be completed and the back section, including the programme of activities that are being proposed for funding from the National Land Transport Fund to be commenced and presented to the RTC for agreement in December, (and provided all the required information has been made available). Consultation on a draft RLTP could then commence either before or soon after the Christmas holiday break. There is a degree of uncertainty that this timeframe is achievable.

RLTP Objectives and Policies

24. This report includes further development of the strategic context and draft objectives and policies by the RTC. The additional parts of the front section of the RLTP are provided in Attachment 1

25. These objectives and policies have been developed from:

25.1. the work done to develop the PBC problem and benefit statements (in the draft Strategic case)

25.2. Arataki – the 10-year view of what is needed to deliver on the government’s current priorities and long-term objectives for the land transport system. (The manager’s report to this RTC meeting notes the recent release of Arataki V2 which updates the document to account of the impact of Covid-19.)

25.3. The current RLTP document.

26. The approval of the RTC to include these objectives and policies in the draft RLTP is being sought at this meeting. Note that the final version of the RLTP for public consultation is subject to further review and input by the committee.

Significance and Engagement Policy Assessment

27. This decision is not significant in terms of Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

28. Consultation and engagement with key stakeholders will take place through the HB Transport Study processes. A public consultation process on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan is still to be undertaken.

Strategic Fit

29. The Regional Land Transport Plan contributes to the HBRC’s Strategic Plan 2017-21 priority area of Sustainable Services and Infrastructure.

Climate Change Considerations

30. The transport system’s contribution to climate change and mitigation of the effect on transport networks will be a major consideration in the development of the Regional Land Transport Plan.

Considerations of Tangata Whenua

31. Tangata whenua communities’ connectivity and well-being is impacted on by regional transport policy. Their considerations are being particularly accounted for through direct engagement with the Maori committee and their specific input into the identification of problem statements and long list interventions and the multi-criteria assessment process for identified interventions.

Financial and Resource Implications

32. The cost of the Hawke’s Bay Transport Study and Regional Land Transport Plan has been included in long term and annual plan budgets.

Decision Making Process

33. Council and its committees are required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

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

33.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation, and public consultation process on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan will be undertaken from December 2020

33.3. The decision is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy

33.4. The persons affected by this decision are all persons interested in the management and development of transport systems in Hawke’s Bay

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

33.6. 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. Receives and considers the “Regional Land Transport Plan” staff report.

2. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, and that Council can exercise its discretion and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community or persons likely to have an interest in the decision.

3. Agrees on the draft content of the RLTP provided in Attachment 1, subject to further advice about prioritisation and financial implications.

Authored by:

Mary-Anne Baker

Acting Transport Manager

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Acting Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

⇩1

draft Regional Land Transport Plan

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 11 September 2020

Subject: Transport Manager's September 2020 Report

Reason for Report

1. This item updates the Committee on a range of transport issues.

Regional Speed plans

2. The government’s Road to Zero Strategy sets long-term outcomes and measures relating to safety, health and access, and incorporates long-term outcomes and measures for speed management. One of the elements of this programme includes a change to the speed management legislation. This change is intended to establish a new process for setting speed limits, and remove the current bylaw making requirements.

3. Further briefing on the proposed approach to speed management is being provided to the committee at this meeting by Emma Speight (Director Regional Relationships, Waka Kotahi).

4. The Regional Council Transport Special Interests Group is engaging with the NZTA as this proposal is further developed as there are a number of implications for both regional and territorial councils including.

4.1. Resources and funding

4.2. Clarity around content and process for development of Speed Management Plans

4.3. Timing for preparation of plans

4.4. Requirement for state highway plans as well regional plans.

Driver licensing programme

5. Unlicensed or partially licensed drivers has been and continues to be a notable factor in crash statistics and within social, justice, education and employment forums across Hawke’s Bay. This issue is likely to be worsen given the predicted economic impacts of Covid-19 on the Hawkes Bay community. The Driver License Programme aims to increase the number of drivers moving from their learner’s license to become fully licensed drivers. It is targeted in areas such as Wairoa where advancing to full licenses is constrained distance to testing facilities and economic issues.

6. The governance group for the Driver Licensing Programme agreed on the process to be followed in re-establishing this programme for the 2020-2022 years.

7. Funding for this programme is mainly from the NZTA but local share has been committed from a range of parties including local councils, Ngati Kahungunu and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.

Arataki

8. Arataki is the NZTA’s 10-year view of what is needed to deliver on the government’s current priorities and long-term objectives for the land transport system. It has recently been reviewed updated to include an assessment of the potential impacts and opportunities of COVID-19 on New Zealand’s land transport system, regional economies and communities. Arataki V2 has updated regional information which can be found here. It includes the following findings.

8.1. Given the relative resilience of the Hawke’s Bay economy, no significant changes are expected in the nature, scale and location of transport demand over the medium to long-term. The 10 year outlook remains largely unchanged.

8.2. Maintaining safe and reliable connections to Napier Port and between Napier and Palmerston North remain critical to supporting recovery.

8.3. There will be an ongoing need for transport services to support the COVID-19 recovery by improving access to employment and essential services for vulnerable communities.

8.4. There will be ongoing pressure on transport revenue as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown levels.

Funding Assistance Rates

9. The NZTA supports regional transport programmes and sets the Funding Assistance Rates (FAR) to provide funding. This is paid to local government from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) for local land transport activities approved for funding within the NLTP, such as local road maintenance and improvements, public transport services and cycling improvements.

10. The FAR is reviewed each year and updated to reflect any changes in centreline kilometres, capital values, rating units and the index of deprivation. The NZTA has just advised the Council that the FAR will remain the same at 51%.

11. The current FAR for all the Total Mobility Work Categories will also continue.

Wairoa Public Transport

12. HBRC transport staff recently met with HBDHB staff regarding public transport challenges in Wairoa and to discuss current roles and responsibilities of the agencies for delivery of transport services in rural areas.

13. There is currently a service is funded by the Wairoa Disability Trust with Age Concern managing bookings

14. However, Age Concern is struggling to administer the service and have advised they are no longer able to take bookings.

15. Wairoa residents do not have a public transport and have been reliant on this Disability Trust transport to attend their doctors/ specialist appointments whilst also attending to daily/ weekly chores in town for the same day. Recent community consultation by the HBDHB showed that Wairoa people identified issues with transport from rural areas into town for a range of reasons.

16. The HBDHB provide funding for transport (by Red Cross van) from Wairoa Hospital to Hastings Hospital but this is a limited service. The HBDHB also administers a National Travel assistance for patients where this van is inappropriate.

17. Health is the only agency providing public transport in Wairoa and people wait for a health need so they can access transport for other needs.

18. Prior to 2017, a concessionary fare agreement had been arranged with the Disability Trust but this was discontinued.

19. The meeting did not resolve any solutions but a number of short and longer term actions were discussed including:

19.1. Work with the Disability Trust to identify what short term support is needed to ensure the current system can continue

19.2. Approach the WDC for administration assistance for the disability trust bus scheme

19.3. Investigate how other rural communities meet this transport need

19.4. Consider submissions on the RLTP and potentially explore feasibility of ratepayer funding to support a public transport service for Wairoa.

20. HBDHB and HBRC staff are to meet again to continue this discussion.

Decision Making Process

21. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee receives the “Transport Manager’s September 2020” report.

Authored by:

Mary-Anne Baker

Acting Transport Manager

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Acting Group Manager
Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 11 September 2020

Subject: September 2020 Public Transport Update

Reason for Report

1. This item provides the Committee with an update on HBRC’s public transport operations.

Background

2. The responsibility for contracting public transport services is assigned to regional councils under the Land Transport Management Act 2003. Under Section 35, the council must consider the needs of the “transport disadvantaged” when preparing its Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP), which sets out the services that the council will provide.

3. “Transport disadvantaged” means people who the regional council has reasonable grounds to believe are the least able to travel to basic community activities and services (for example work, education, healthcare, welfare and shopping). As part of the responsibility to the transport disadvantaged, councils also provide Total Mobility services where suitable transport operators exist to deliver the service.

New Bus Ticketing System

5. After a number of delays, the new bus ticketing and ‘Bee’ smartcard system being used by nine regional councils went live on the goBay network on Monday 24 August.

6. Passengers are now able to top up their cards on-line which will speed up bus loading times. However, cards can still be topped up with cash onboard the bus, or with cash or EFTPOS at the regional council.

7. Entry to the bus is via a tag-on system and passengers will be required to tag-off when they leave the bus. This will provide councils with detailed information (not currently available) about where people are getting on and off the bus and how far they travel.

8. A new simplified fare system, which is proving very popular with passengers and bus drivers, is currently in operation.

9. At the time of writing this report over 5000 Bee cards have been issued, with over 900 registered on the Bee card website. The transport team have completed over 500 balance transfers with a value of over $8,000. The total balance in the Bee card purse is over $15,000.

Effects of Covid-19

10. Moving back to Covid-19 Level 2 resulted in reduced capacity onboard the buses, with passengers only being able to sit one person to a seat unless they were sitting with a family member, and no standing was permitted. This reduced capacity resulted in some peak-time services having to leave passengers at bus stops to wait for the next bus.

11. As the ticketing equipment was removed from the buses and replaced with the new equipment, passenger stats were not recorded in July, however for accounting purposes we are using the July 2019 trip statistics.

Onboard Security

12. Unfortunately, one of the unforeseen implications of operating the goBay services free of charge until the Bee card launch on 24 August, was that it seemed to encourage joyriding and anti-social behaviour by some members of the community. This issue was also reported in other regions.

13. The anti-social behaviour resulted in numerous calls to the Police for assistance, two buses in the workshop having smashed windows replaced, drivers (and some passengers) verbally abused and threatened with violence, trespass orders issued by both the Police and Go Bus Transport and some drivers refusing to drive one particular route.

14. Due to our health and safety concerns for the bus drivers and passengers, we contracted the services of a security company to provide a security guard to ride on the route concerned (from Tuesday 18 to Sunday 30 August). The presence of the security guard certainly helped and provided valuable support for the bus drivers. We are hopeful that this anti-social behaviour will cease with the reintroduction of fares.

Public Transport Trips

15. Diagram 1 shows public transport trips made from July to July 2012-20.

Diagram 1

Bus Service Costs

16. Diagram 2 shows the year to date net cost (after fares and excluding GST) of operating the goBay bus service from July to July 2012-20.

Diagram 2: 51% of this cost is met by the New Zealand Transport Agency. During the Covid-19 emergency, lost fare revenue has also been met by the Agency.

17. Recent cost increases are largely due to inflationary pressure (as our bus contract is adjusted by an NZTA index reflecting fuel, labour and infrastructure prices) lower fare revenue due to lower patronage, and the cost of paid breaks added to the driver hours as required by the Employment Relations Amendment Act.

Total Mobility

18. The Total Mobility Scheme provides subsidised taxi travel for Hawke’s Bay residents who are unable to use public transport due to a significant, permanent impairment. People assessed for and registered to the scheme receive taxi vouchers entitling them to a 50% fare discount (some restrictions apply). The scheme is administered by the regional council and funded by both the Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

19. Diagram 3 shows the number of Total Mobility trips made from July- July 2012-20.

Diagram 3

20. Diagram 4 shows the cost of the Total Mobility Scheme (excluding GST) from July-July 2012-20.

Diagram 4 (60% of this cost is met by the New Zealand Transport Agency).

Decision Making Process

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “September 2020 Public Transport Update” report.

Authored by:

Megan Welsby

Sustainable Transport Coordinator

Mary-Anne Baker

Acting Transport Manager

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Acting Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 11 September 2020

Subject: RoadSafe Hawke's Bay September 2020 Update

Reason for Report

1. This regular report provides the Committee with an update on road safety statistics in the region and a snapshot of road safety activities undertaken by Roadsafe Hawke’s Bay.

Background

2. There are a number of documents that provide the direction for the road safety activities, including:

2.1. The Government Policy Statement for Land Transport (GPS)

2.2. “Road to Zero “– the NZ road safety strategy 2020.

3. The focus for road safety in New Zealand is the Safe System approach. This recognises that all elements of the road system need to be strengthened and that we need safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, safe road use and safe speeds. This approach recognises that all parts of the system have an important role in reducing our crash rates; if people make mistakes, then our roads, roadsides and vehicles should, as much as possible, protect them and other road users from harm.

Project Updates:

4. The region’s Work Plans have been completed and we are setting the dates with the stakeholders to implement these activities. The programme for the next three months includes the following projects:

5. Labour Weekend Fatigue Stops: Two fatigue stops are planned over Labour Weekend. The first one will be on Friday and will be held on SH5 at the Mohaka Rest Stop. This is a joint project with Eastern Police. The second one will be held in Central Hawkes Bay on the Monday afternoon. This is a joint project with The Fire and Emergency Service and St Johns Service. The fatigue stops are being filmed by the Documentary Film Maker as part of the Documentary.

6. Documentary: We are continuing to support the development of the Documentary and will feature a number of road safety stakeholders from the Hawkes Bay area.

7. University of Edinburgh: I am continuing to work with the University and most of the information has been sent. The program is under development and is being taught in late September.

8. Xmas Campaign: We are finalising the plans for the work program over Xmas and New Year. These activities will be implemented across the Hawkes Bay Region and will include alcohol checkpoints and fatigue stops

9. Resource Development: Stopping Distances: A new addition to the ‘Stopping Distances’ education resource that also features distracted driving. The resource will include the variables of stopping distances in different condition eg: weather conditions, road conditions and other elements. This will be done in conjunction with Eastern Police and the Fire Emergency Service

10. Hawkes Bay Youth Road Safety Expo: We are continuing the development for the Expo next year. We have had a number of schools registered and others will join as soon as they have completed their Year Plan. We have all the stakeholders attending again next year and we are developing new activities and other education opportunities for the 2021 Expo.

11. Social Media Campaign Development: We have a number of social media campaigns under development for the 2020-2021 Calendar. This will include an on-line resource (lead by a local Police Officer) that goes through the stages of driver licensing and other important elements. This will also evolve into other education opportunities featuring the high-risk road safety issues for the Hawkes Bay Region and beyond.

12. Driver License Social Media Campaign: We are currently investigating the opportunity to develop an on-line E’Book Parent Pack for supporting their child through the graduated driver license process. We are looking at what this should include to support parents and young/new drivers.

13. SH5 Joint Project: We are completing the joint SH5 Project (Joint Project: Taupo District Council/Eastern Police, NZTA). Activities to include: Fatigue Stop/Billboard Instillation/Targeted Patrolling and Police activities) and online education opportunities along with education opportunities through community papers and other appropriate avenues.

Hawke’s Bay Statistics

14. Road deaths in Hawkes Bay by various categories in the 5 years up to 2 September 2020 are shown in the following tables.

A screenshot of a social media post

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Decision Making Process

15. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “RoadSafe Hawke's Bay September 2020 Update” staff report.

Authored by:

Linda Anderson

Regional Manager
RoadSafe Hawke's Bay

Mary-Anne Baker

Acting Transport Manager

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Acting Group Manager
Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.