Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 5 May 2023

Subject: Regional Transport Committee Terms of Reference and member appointments

Reason for Report

1. This agenda item provides the means for the Regional Transport Committee to confirm its Terms of Reference and updated membership.

Discussion

2. At its February meeting, the Regional Transport Committee sought clarity in relation to amendments made to the Terms of Reference, including membership. To provide visibility of amendments and changes to membership, a tracked changes version of the Terms of Reference which was adopted by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on 29 March 2023 is attached. Specific changes include:

2.1. March 2022 as an outcome of the s17a review of the Road Safety programme; the Terms of Reference was amended to reflect the RTC’s more active role in relation to road safety (refer clause 10).

2.2. Advisory member to represent Te Whatu Ora specifically, versus the health sector.

2.3. Advisory member on the RTC representing HB Airport (Rob Stratford is in attendance today online).

2.4. There is one further change that wasn’t known on 29 March 2023, as it is the result of a resignation, that being the AA advisory representative David Murray replacing Paul Michaelson.

Decision Making Process

3. Councils and their 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:

3.1. Councils are required to (LGA sch.7 cl.19(1)) hold the meetings that are necessary for the good governance of their district or region.

3.2. Councils may appoint (LGA sch.7 cl. 30(1)(a)) the committees, subcommittees, and other subordinate decision-making bodies that they consider appropriate, including joint committees.

3.3. The establishment of a Regional Transport Committee, including its membership, is prescribed by the Land Transport Management Act 2003 Part 4, sub-part 2, sections 105-107 inclusive.

3.4. Given the provisions above, the Regional Transport Committee can exercise its discretion and make these decisions without consulting with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1. Receives and considers the Regional Transport Committee Terms of Reference 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 with the community or persons likely to have an interest in the decision.

3. Confirms the Terms of Reference for the committee as adopted by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on 29 March 2023.

4. Agrees to the membership of the Regional Transport Committee including:

4.1. Advisory member Rob Stratford, representing Hawke’s Bay Airport

4.2. Advisory member David Murray representing Automobile Association (representing access and mobility, including private motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users), replacing Paul Michaelsen.

Authored by:

Leeanne Hooper

Team Leader Governance

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Manager Policy & Planning

Attachment/s

1 ⇩

amended 2022-25 Regional Transport Committee Terms of Reference for confirmation

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

5 May 2023

Subject: Regional Transport Programme May 2023 update

Reason for Report

1. This agenda item introduces the Regional Transport Programme Tracker for May, a standing item providing an update of progress on Transport workstreams.

Background

2. The Regional Transport Programme Tracker was introduced to the Committee at the 10 February 2023 Committee meeting. The tracker provides a snapshot of the workstreams delivered by the Regional Transport Advisory Group (RTAG) with commentary provided by workstream and / or key deliverable.

Regional Land Transport Plan

3. The Investment Logic Map (ILM) workshopping process was completed in December 2022, prior to Cyclone Gabrielle. Four regional problem statements were developed, with resilience being the most heavily weighted. RTAG has reviewed the ILM problem statements in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, seeking to combine the resilience with maintenance and operations / level of service problem statements.

4. The Regional Transport Committee (RTC) workshop, scheduled for 5 May, will provide clarity and direction for the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and regional recovery works that relate to our transport network. This will then allow the RTAG to commence detailed planning, costing, and activity management plans.

5. This workstream will primarily focus on the content and development of the RLTP.

Network Resilience and Rebuild

6. This is a new RTAG workstream established to focus on the network rebuild and resilience in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Strategic direction will be a key outcome of the 5 May RTC workshop. This will then serve as a foundation for the RTAG to develop a suitable programme of work for the recovery and rebuild effort.

7. Detailed tasks, milestones, and deliverables will be further developed following the 5 May RTC workshop and brought back to this Committee at a later date.

Speed Management Planning

8. The regional speed management principles and priorities were signed off at the 10 February RTC meeting. Waka Kotahi has set 5 October 2023 as the final date for notification of consultation on full 10-year speed management plans, with certification to occur in March 2024. These 10-year plans will be developed by the Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) and once completed, will form the regional speed management plan.

9. In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, most of the RCAs have expressed a strong appetite to seek an extension to the 5 October deadline. This is supported at the RTAG level, and advice is being sought from Waka Kotahi around options and opportunities to extend the deadline for full consultation on RCA 10-year plans and the subsequent regional speed management plan.

Road Safety

10. The road safety strategy development continues. All key highlights and next steps are set out in the RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay agenda item.

11. Business as usual activities continue across the region with recent highlights including the ongoing work with Police, partnership development and education opportunities with Iron Sister motorcycle club, and youth aid delivery with Police.

Transport Emissions Reduction Plan

12. The transport emissions reduction plan will form a chapter of the regional emissions reduction plan. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the scope of the regional emissions reduction plan was reduced, with transport still forming a chapter. Planned SME workshops have been cancelled due to resource and time constraints.

13. The first draft of the transport chapter will be developed by Heather Bosselmann, Senior Policy Analyst – Climate Resilience at Napier City Council, and Bryce Cullen, Transport Strategy and Policy Analyst, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. The draft will focus on emissions reduction opportunities in the context of the network rebuild and on resilience and encompass elements, such as active transport and mode shift.

Active Transport

14. Planned Transport Choices and Streets for People projects are moving ahead as planned. RTAG has been working to develop a network gap analysis with a focus on the current environment and future opportunities.

15. Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) reductions will be a central focus on the Active Transport strategy along with safety, connectedness, and access.

PT Implementation

16. The Regional Public Transport Plan, adopted in September 2021, is planned to be implemented across the next two years. This involves the development of a contract, a request for tender, and infrastructure improvements. A workstream has been put in place to implement the details of the network plan, including the development of new bus stops, improved bus stops, and network efficiency interventions.

17. This work will be ongoing until the date of the next contract begins.

MyWay

18. MyWay Hastings is officially in trial until July 2023. The trial will be reviewed in May 2023. The service may be extended, varied, or ended based on an evaluation of the success of the trial. This is explained in further detail in the Public Transport Update report.

19. MyWay Napier is planned for delivery in 2023, subject to the success of the Hastings trial. Due to the increased cost of service delivery since the long-term plan was adopted, the Napier trial would need to be rescoped, or further funding requested.

Decision Making Process

20. 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 Regional Transport Programme May 2023 Update staff report.

Authored by:

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy & Policy Analyst

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Manager Policy & Planning

Attachment/s

April 2023 Regional Transport Advisory Group Programme tracker

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

5 May 2023

Subject: Regional Land Transport Plan investment and delivery update

Reason for Report

1. This agenda item updates the Committee on Regional Land Transport Plan investment and delivery.

Background

2. Regional land transport plans (RLTPs) are six-year plans that document the region’s land transport objectives, policies, and measures as well as providing a statement of transport priorities for the region. The plans incorporate programmes of regional land transport activities, including those activities proposed for inclusion in the National Land Transport Programme, which are reviewed after three years.

Discussion

RLTP 2024 timeline

3. In most cases Waka Kotahi aims to adopt the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) by 30 June of the year immediately preceding the start of the NLTP.

4. This means that the final RLTPs are required to be submitted to Waka Kotahi by 30 April of that year (2024) so that they might inform the NLTP and associated funding.

5. The date by which the final RLTP must be published is usually set at 31 July of the start year of the RLTP.

6. Where development of the NLTP is delayed, e.g., due to late release of the Government Policy Statement (GPS), Waka Kotahi has until 31 August of the first year of the NLTP to adopt the NLTP.

7. As a consequence of such a delay, Waka Kotahi may adjust the deadlines for RLTP submission and publishing.

8. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council aims to consult on the draft RLTP by November or December 2023, pending any timeline changes brought about by Cyclone Gabrielle.

9. The Regional Transport Advisory Group (RTAG) will begin reviewing and developing the RLTP no later than 30 June 2023 and may seek to include some or all of the projects and programmes developed and defined in the network rebuild and resilience RTAG workstream.

10. The Investment Logic Mapping (ILM) is a necessary precursor to the review of the RLTP, setting the regional strategic direction. An updated Regional Programme Business Case (PBC), with direction from the ILM, informs the review of the RLTP.

10.1. The ILM was in final draft as of January 2023 but requires review and potential refresh post cyclone.

10.2. The PBC is due to be peer reviewed and updated between March and May 2023. This timeline may be extended as a result of post-cyclone activities and the ILM finalisation.

10.3. Given the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle it is likely officers will undertake a fulsome review of the RLTP that will take into account the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on the region’s transport network.

RLTP Investment Logic Mapping (ILM)

11. The RTAG met twice in December 2022 to workshop and develop the regional ILM and benefits map in advance of requesting funding through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).

12. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the RTAG came together and reviewed the draft ILM through the lens of network rebuild and resilience. RTAG identified an opportunity to combine two draft problem statements and rework them to better reflect the impacts of Gabrielle and any rebuild, or future resilience opportunities presented, applying a higher weighting of importance.

13. A proposed combined problem statement has been developed by RTAG for discussion and further refinement. RTAG recommend the RTC seek to endorse the proposed changes to the ILM problem statements to reflect the post-cyclone reality.

14. The ILM drafted in December 2022 and proposed changes developed by RTAG following Cyclone Gabrielle are attached.

Regional Programme Business Case (PBC)

15. The Regional Transport Committee (RTC) did not have an approved PBC ahead of the 2021 RLTP. The document was completed as a Transport Study and had not been endorsed as a PBC by Waka Kotahi. The document needs to be reviewed and finalised based on Investment Quality Assurance (IQA) feedback from Waka Kotahi.

16. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Waka Kotahi have reviewed the scope of work outlined from the current draft programme business case, to determine if there is any work outstanding with the current contractor. Stantec is now undertaking a review of the work delivered in 2021 in accordance with the feedback from the IQA.

17. Due to the work Stantec are undertaking post-cyclone, there may be a delay in delivering the PBC in response to the IQA feedback. Stantec are currently working on the economic aspects of the PBC.

18. It is possible the scope of the PBC may change as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle. Any scope changes will largely depend on the scale of recovery and rebuild works.

19. The PBC needs to be completed in the next six months to ensure the region is best placed to begin reviewing the RLTP which will be ready for consultation in November-December 2023.

Regional Technical Advisory Group (RTAG)

20. The RTAG now meets quarterly with a full-day agenda, made up of workstreams for each area of transport, focussed on modes and outcomes. The workstreams meet more regularly, ranging from monthly to bi-monthly depending on the subject matter and work programme.

RLTP investment and delivery issues

21. The RTAG RLTP workstream has met several times following Cyclone Gabrielle, primarily to review and discuss the draft ILM and to understand emergency works underway across the region.

22. The development of an RLTP is necessary as it is a key statutory plan and the primary funding vehicle for the Hawke’s Bay transport network. In the context of a post-cyclone environment, it is likely the region will require significant investment, work, and focus for the network recovery and rebuild over the long term.

23. Further clarity is still required on which elements of the network rebuild and resilience will be covered in the Regional Recovery Plan, and which will be built in to the RLTP. This will ultimately dictate the format, scope, and scale of the upcoming RLTP.

Decision Making Process

24. 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 Regional Land Transport Plan investment and delivery update staff report, and endorses the proposed changes to the Investment Logic Mapping to reflect the post-cyclone environment.

Authored by:

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy & Policy Analyst

Katie Nimon

Transport Contractor

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Manager Policy & Planning

Attachment/s

1 ⇩

Investment Logic Map compare and contrast

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 5 May 2023

Subject: Regional Road Safety update

Reason for Report

1. This report provides an update on the RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay rebrand process and ongoing activities.

Executive Summary

2. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay (RSHB) has developed a new strategic direction and framework to facilitate and enable greater community integration, intervention development, and educational opportunities. This was presented to the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) at the 10 February meeting.

3. A key part of the new direction to give effect to the new strategy is a rebrand process, focusing on visual identity, tone of voice, and how RSHB sits within the market. The report provides a brief contextual snapshot of where RSHB has come from and discusses the work underway by external agencies, Unlimited Ltd and Little Red Robot Design, to bring the new strategy to life.

4. The report provides a brief overview of some of the recent business as usual achievements that RSHB staff have enabled, facilitated and supported.

Strategic Fit

5. The RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay strategy contributes to the strategic goal of having sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. Road safety forms a critical portion of this strategic goal. Safe roads closely support and enable greater sustainability and resilience.

Background

6. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay (RSHB) is a business unit of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) responsible for delivering road safety education and messaging across the region. RSHB is funded through a mixed model that sees each territorial authority contribute some funding, as well as Waka Kotahi via a funding assistant rate (FAR).

7. RSHB education and messaging are intended to support Waka Kotahi’s Road to Zero strategy and is targeted to risk across the region.

8. In 2022 a section 17 (a) review of RSHB was conducted. The review found that it is impractical for the sole ownership and delivery of region-wide road safety education to sit solely within HBRC and be delivered by a single member of staff.

9. Following the section 17 (a) review, a new strategic direction and framework was developed. This was presented to the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) at the 10 February 2023 meeting.

Discussion

10. RSHB’s new strategic direction and framework takes a ‘by the community, for the community, within the community’ approach to delivering road safety education and interventions.

11. As part of the new strategic direction, staff identified the opportunity for a full rebrand of RSHB to support and enable the new strategic direction. The rebrand will encompass a new visual identity and, importantly, a new brand message, tone of voice, and creative approach.

12. Staff have commissioned Unlimited Ltd to develop a new market positioning, tone of voice, and overall creative approach for RSHB. Outputs will focus campaign development and delivery. This will include a new tag line to reflect the strategic direction.

13. Little Red Robot Design have been commissioned to develop the new RSHB visual identity. This will include a new logo and suite of new materials and collateral.

14. Together, the new creative approach / tone of voice and visual identity will enable RSHB to be embedded within communities and be a trusted source of knowledge, advice, and best practice. Importantly, it will be delivered by the community, within the community, for the community.

15. A refreshed website will form a key foundational element of the rebrand. This will function as a resource and information hub to enable education and interventions to be carried out within communities and districts. The website redevelopment is underway conjointly with the rebrand.

Strategy development – progress update

16. Cyclone Gabrielle significantly impacted business as usual activities across the region with officers across all councils immediately pivoting to response and recovery mode. Two months on, officers are beginning to slowly transition back to business as usual.

17. Strategy development across the region continues with progress being made at a variable pace. Staff intend to have a reasonably developed strategy by year end 2023. This will enable the refinement of the draft activity list for the 2024 - 2027 NLTP.

Rebrand next steps

18. RSHB staff and key stakeholders are to provide holistic feedback and detailed direction to Unlimited Ltd to refine the initial high-level approach. This will be done through engagement with key stakeholders to ensure views are captured and distilled to fully articulate RSHB’s new strategic direction. We anticipate the creative approach will be completed by July 2023, pending any further changes in timelines.

19. Visual identity development and refinement to continue along with website refresh and development. As with the overall creative approach, we anticipate the visual identity will be completed by July 2023, pending further changes in timelines.

20. Following finalisation of the creative approach and visual identity, resources will be developed for the website and other channels to support education, messaging, and other road safety interventions. We expect this will be completed by year end 2023.

21. The creative approach and script for a video outlining what road safety means in Hawke’s Bay will be developed as part of the rebrand process. The timeline for the production of this video is fluid.

22. Unlimited Ltd will also develop a range of RSHB campaign options that bring the ‘I, We, All Of Us’ approach to life. These campaigns, along with the rebrand, will provide the foundation of the RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay relaunch, scheduled for late November 2023. The rebrand and campaigns will be presented to the RTC before the relaunch.

Business as usual activity update

23. In conjunction with the new strategy development process, business as usual activities continue to be delivered by RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay staff across the region, where possible and practical. Key highlights and achievements include:

23.1. ‘Ignite’ youth employment community driver licensing pilot programme. Road Safe Hawke’s Bay was given the opportunity to support a pilot driver-licensing project leveraging the community driver mentor model. ‘Ignite’ provides holistic wrap-around life skills and employment services for at-risk youth. The pilot programme sits as part of a wider holistic approach to breaking down barriers and creating employment opportunities. Outcomes will be assessed on a range of metrics and presented to the RTC upon the pilot’s completion in 2024.

23.2. Iron Sisters Motorcycle Club – Iron Sisters is a Hawke’s Bay-based motorcycle club focused on safety, camaraderie, and the enjoyment of the ride. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay, in conjunction with ACC and their Ride Forever Programme, had the opportunity to deliver four motorcycle safety education evenings to Iron Sisters Hawke’s Bay and affiliated clubs. To date, two evenings have been delivered with a further two planned. As part of this, RSHB subsidised a portion of the Ride Forever cost, enabling 20 riders to complete the course to date; funding is available to enable another 40 riders to participate. Riders who have completed a Ride Forever course are 45% less likely to be involved in a crash.

23.3. Business as usual police activities. RSHB is committed to long term road safety activities in conjunction with NZ Police. RSHB is working with police on routine checkpoints, focusing primarily on identifying distraction and providing education and messaging around distraction, fatigue, restraints, speed, and safe driving behaviours.

23.4. Rangatahi initiatives / Youth aid. Working closely with Police, RSHB has been delivering targeted and intensive interventions through the youth aid scheme. This seeks to address driving-related behaviours which have come to attention of youth officers. This model is a true intervention model seeking to provide intensive intervention and behaviour change education to assist attendees to stay outside of the justice system. This is an ongoing initiative.

23.5. Building futures. This is an ongoing initiative in conjunction with Tumu Timbers and is focused on creating education and employment pathways for youth. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay provides road safety education and messaging to attendees, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to get to and from work safely, and play their part in making our roads safer.

Decision Making Process

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Roadsafe Hawke’s Bay staff report.

Authored by:

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy & Policy Analyst

Approved by:

Ceri Edmonds

Manager Policy & Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

5 May 2023

Subject: Public Transport update

Reason for Report

1. This agenda item provides an update on Public Transport operations in the region.

Background

2. The responsibility for contracting public transport services is assigned to regional councils under the Land Transport Management Act 2003 section 35.

3. As part of Council’s responsibility to the transport disadvantaged, Total Mobility services are provided where suitable transport operators exist to deliver the service. 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).

Discussion

goBay operations

4. Cyclone Gabrielle has disrupted the goBay service. From 14 February to 28 February 2023, the service did not operate due to road closures, power outages, and driver displacement. From 1 March, goBay resumed suburban services, including MyWay, but did not operate intercity services due to ongoing road closures and extreme congestion. As of 21 April 2023, goBay is operating all suburban services, including an express service between Taradale and Napier, and an intercity service between Napier and Hastings via Clive, which operates hourly. Two services are not operating in full: route 15 has not extended to Bay View due to cyclone impacts, and route 11 is not currently extending to Havelock North due to the need for the service to operate between Napier and Hastings more frequently. Two services are not operating at all: route 12 is not operating due to the road closure at Waiohiki, and route 10 is not operating due to the extreme congestion on the Expressway preventing a service to operate on a reliable timetable.

5. While the current varied service is in place due to cyclone impacts, there have been no cancelled trips due to the reduction in operating trips. Due to the ongoing driver shortage, restoring additional routes would result in cancellations of trips on the currently operated services. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Go Bus continue to monitor the impacted corridors, and continue to discuss options to restore services, as well as the ability to deliver them.

Public Transport Patronage

Month	Total Patronage	Peak Patronage	Total Pax KMs	Total Fare Revenue
Jul-22	32,964	17,714	359,852	$ 19,620.00
Aug-22	44,621	27,172	460,202	$ 26,241.00
Sep-22	47,562	28,442	471,112	$ 30,501.00
Oct-22	38,157	20,566	383,367	$ 24,404.00
Nov-22	41,168	23,876	412,889	$ 26,852.00
Dec-22	31,332	14,755	317,811	$ 20,238.00
Jan-23	29,376	13,317	294,802	$ 20,114.00
Feb-23	16,361	9,960	173,553	$ 10,801.00
Mar-23	27,660	16,141	248,507	$ 15,458.00

Figure 1: Public Transport patronage (July 22 – March 23) incl. MyWay

Half Price Fares

6. The Government-funded Half Price Fares scheme has been in operation since 1 April 2022, to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices and encourage the use of public transport. During the scheme, we have not seen a noticeable increase in patronage as a result. The scheme is due to end on 30 June 2023. From 1 July 2023, the Half Price Fares will stay in place for Total Mobility users, as well as Public Transport users with Community Services Cards (CSC). This will be known as Community Connect.

7. Community Connect will go live on 1 July 2023 and will have a medium impact on the organisation. This is due to the likelihood of an increase in Bee Card sales, and the requirement to set up the concessions required for CSC holders to access the concession. The Bee Card technical team are working with technology partners to automatically integrate the data with the Ministry of Social Development, this will mean staff aren’t required to manually authorise each individual request. Council staff will simply enter the CSC number and the validation will occur in the back end. Waka Kotahi is making funding available to cover the increased administration costs that may be involved.

On Demand Public Transport (ODPT)

8. MyWay has been operating as a separately-funded improvement activity under Public Transport Programme since June 2022, with the intention to trial a new mode of transport to increase patronage.

9. MyWay performs well comparative to similar services around Australasia. The Hastings Trial has met its successful ridership targets; however, we can see that the service is vulnerable to driver shortages and struggles to meet demand during peak time due to the size of the zone and number of vehicles. Figure 2 shows the trends across the last quarter in relation to meeting demand and ride requests. MyWay did not operate from 14 February to 28 February due to power outages, driver displacement, and pressure on support services. From 18 January to 10 February, MyWay only had two of three vans operating, which resulted in a reduction in met demand.

Figure 2: MyWay Service Operation (January 23 – March 23)

10. MyWay has undergone several service-parameter changes to increase service levels in response to feedback and pressure points in delivery. These changes have included:

10.1. Increased detour rates (the time the rider spends in the vehicle can increase to allow additional riders to be collected that might be further out of range), which allows MyWay to offer more rides to users at peak times. This has now been reduced from high to medium, as all three vans are now operational.

10.2. Increased booking window (increased from 30 minutes to 45 minutes), which improves the likelihood of being offered a ride. Although this results in a longer wait time, the rider can secure a ride and doesn’t need to make ongoing attempts to book.

10.3. Reduced virtual stops (eliminating several possible stops that are within a close walkable distance to the same likely location, i.e., Kmart and Hastings Hospital) which results in a faster trip time for the passengers.

11. The Hastings MyWay service is still in its trial period. The service will be reviewed using a benefit map and an evaluation plan. The review will take place in May 2023, to determine whether the service becomes permanent, varies, ends, or continues as a trial until a later date.

12. The success of the trial is not only dependent on increased patronage, but also determined by customer satisfaction, mode shift, number of new trips, cost, revenue, capacity, and service sustainability; this is all in comparison to the previously operated fixed route service, and the proposed 2025 network routes. While there has been an increase in patronage compared to the previously operated routes, the capacity is considerably lower and the anecdotal customer experience is mixed due to its suitability for aged and disability groups but unsuitability to school students or those without access to technology and communication. The service also has a significant demand on staff support, not only in the call centre, but also the operations, monitoring, and customer resolutions.

13. The Napier MyWay trial has not been progressed due to Cyclone Gabrielle, and the associated cost implications. Due to indexation, the cost to deliver a viable service is no longer what was estimated at the time of writing the long-term plan. To deliver the MyWay service that was presented in the long-term plan, increased funding would be required.

Total Mobility

14. 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 (which is currently subsidised to 75% under the Half Price Fares scheme). The scheme is administered by the Regional Council and funded by both the Council and Waka Kotahi.

15. Figure 3 shows the trips compared to total fares. The concession amount is the amount of subsidy the scheme covers per month. Total Mobility trips have risen because of the increased subsidy; however, they have remained stable. There is a visible increase in trips in March, likely due to the reduction in intercity bus services, which would increase the need for those without private transport to access subsidised options.

Month	Total Trips	Total Fare	Concession Amount
Oct-22	8,348	$ 164,278.81	$ 115,913.21
Nov-22	9,247	$ 187,423.20	$ 132,424.56
Dec-22	8,850	$ 174,783.10	$ 123,713.01
Jan-23	8,118	$ 163,098.23	$ 116,112.84
Feb-23	6,564	$ 128,926.85	$ 92,567.42
Mar-23	10,293	$ 219,658.92	$ 155,686.33

Figure 3: Total Mobility Trips and Cost (including flat fee hoist charges)

Contract price reset

16. The Napier Hastings Bus Unit contract requires a gross price rate reset at the end of the sixth year of the contract. This was due in July 2022 and is currently underway in accordance with section 2.4 of the Contracting Manual for SD-16-000, which is advised by the Waka Kotahi Procurement Manual, Section 10.28:

Section 10.28 – Gross Price Resets for PT units

Rule

1. Bus public transport unit contracts procured through an open supplier selection process will have a cost reset of the annual gross price informed by benchmarked price data (see appendix I Contract negotiation processes for bus public transport units) at six years of the nine-year term.

2. This section does not apply to contracts for commercial units.

3. Approved Organisations with small or medium-sized bus markets and where suitable price benchmark information is not or is unlikely to be available, can reconfirm the contract price at the current contract price when undertaking a gross cost reset.

Guidelines

Bus public transport unit contracts longer than six years, will have the annual gross price reset at year six of the contract to ensure confidence in costs. This is a reset of the price only. It is not a review of the contract terms, or an opportunity to end the contract early.

The reset price will apply for the start of year seven of the contract, and if necessary, will be paid in arrears.

The price reset is intended to recognise that agreements need to ensure best value for money is being achieved in the longer term, and a reasonable balance is being maintained between operator profit and the expenditure of public funds.

Over time, indexation payments, changes in farebox recovery and financial incentive mechanisms may shift the balance between best value for money and sustainable revenue. The reset process is designed to restore the balance.

This reset may result in the annual gross price increasing or decreasing.

Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Transport Choices Package

17. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has successfully secured funding of $1.39 million from central government to spend on projects aimed at the Transport Choices package. The funding is part of a $350 million Transport Choices package included in the Government’s Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) led by Waka Kotahi.

18. The funding secured by the Regional Council will upgrade ten bus stops in the region, as well as creating two new stops. This package is fully funded by Waka Kotahi. Bus stops will be upgraded at key locations across the network, designed in accordance with expected patronaged and use style i.e., main terminus, transfer point, high-volume stop. This also includes the development of two new bus stops at locations new to the network: Whakatu, and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park. Upgrades to the stops will include real-time bus information, solar power for real-time travel information displays, charging for scooters, bikes, and phones, as well as WiFi capability, secure bike/scooter parking, 24-hour security lighting and cameras. The bus stops will be designed for all abilities and allow bus users to get a sense of the improved services that they can expect to the region’s bus network from mid-2025.

19. The programme is currently in the development phase, with the communication and engagement plan, and the monitoring and evaluation plan, both underway. The programme is currently one month behind schedule due to Cyclone Gabrielle but is still due to be completed on time.

20. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is working with Waikato Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council to procure real time tracking software and hardware as a consortium, due to the similarities in the regions’ projects.

21. This project is considered low risk, as there is little disruption to the user, and resourcing is available. The project will consider the ability to generate new interest in the use of public transport based on the improvements to both hard and soft infrastructure surrounding the network.

Decision Making Process

22. 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 Public Transport update staff report.

Authored by: Approved by:

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy ＆ Policy Analyst

Ceri Edmonds

Manager Policy & Planning

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