Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Meeting of the Regional Transport Committee

Date: 12 July 2024

Time: 10.00am

Venue:

Council Chamber

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

159 Dalton Street

NAPIER

Agenda

Item Title Page

1. Welcome/Karakia/Notices/Apologies

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on 24 May 2024

4. Public Forum 3

Information or Performance Monitoring

5. Regional Transport Programme July 2024 update 7

6. RoadSafe Hawke's Bay update 11

7. Public Transport July 2024 update 13

8. Waka Kotahi/NZTA Central Region Regional Relationships Director’s update 19

9. Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) update 35

10. Verbal Advisory Representative reports

11. Follow-ups from previous Regional Transport Committee meetings 37

Glossary of Transport terms

CERF	Climate Emergency Response Fund
DSI	Death and serious injury
EECA	Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
ERP	Emissions Reduction Plan
GHG	Greenhouse gases
GPS	Government Position Statement The government’s land transport priorities for a 10-year period. Includes details of how funding through NLTF can be utilised
ILM	Investment logic map
LTMA	Land Transport Management Act The core legislation that sets out how Councils can manage land transport
NLTF	National Land Transport Fund
NLTP	National Land Transport Plan
ODPT	On demand public transport A public transport service designed to suit the needs of the user, operating in the same manner / style as a service such as Uber rather than a regular scheduled service
PBC	Programme business case
PT	Public transport
RCA	Road Controlling Authority
RLTP	Regional Land Transport Plan A statutory document established by the RTC setting the strategic direction and transport investments across HB - reviewed every three years
RPTP	Regional Public Transport Plan Prepared by HBRC, this sets out the public transport services across HB and defines policies and procedures for public transport. It also details information and infrastructure supporting public transport.
RSHB	Road Safety Hawke’s Bay
RSMP	Regional Speed Management Plan Plan sets a ten-year vision and a three-year implementation plan for speed management on all HB roads.
RTAG	Regional Transport Advisory Group Specialist council officers and subject matter experts that provide advice to the RTC
RTC	Regional Transport Committee – includes Councillors from every Council in HB
SH	State highway (SH5, SH2, SH50 etc)
SIP	Speed and Infrastructure Programme
tCO2e	Tonnes of CO2 equivalent
VKT	Vehicle kilometres travelled

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

12 July 2024

Subject: Public Forum

Reason for report

1. This item provides the means for the Committee to give members of the public the opportunity to address the Committee on matters within its terms of reference (attached).

Background

2. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Standing Orders provide for public forums as follows:

14. Public Forums

Public forums are a defined period of time, usually at the start of a meeting, which, at the discretion of a meeting, is put aside for the purpose of public input. Public forums are designed to enable members of the public to bring matters to the attention of the local authority.

In the case of a committee or sub-committee, any issue, idea or matter raised in a public forum must also fall within the terms of reference of that meeting.

Requests must be made to the HBRC Governance Team (06 8359200 or governanceteam@hbrc.govt.nz) at least one clear day before the meeting; however, this requirement may be waived by the Chairperson.

14.1 Time limits

A period of up to 30 minutes, or such longer time as the meeting may determine, will be available for the public forum at each scheduled Regional Council, Corporate & Strategic Committee, Environment & Integrated Catchments Committee and Regional Transport Committee meeting.

Speakers can speak for up to 5 minutes. No more than two speakers can speak on behalf of an organisation during a public forum. Where the number of speakers presenting in the public forum exceeds 6 in total, the Chairperson has discretion to restrict the speaking time permitted for all presenters.

14.2 Restrictions

The Chairperson has the discretion to decline to hear a speaker or to terminate a presentation at any time where:

 a speaker is repeating views presented by an earlier speaker at the same public forum

 the speaker is criticising elected members and/or staff

 the speaker is being repetitious, disrespectful or offensive

 the speaker has previously spoken on the same issue

 the matter is subject to legal proceedings

 the matter is subject to a hearing, including the hearing of submissions where the local authority or committee sits in a quasi-judicial capacity.

14.3 Questions at public forums

At the conclusion of the presentation, with the permission of the Chairperson, elected members may ask questions of speakers. Questions are to be confined to obtaining information or clarification on matters raised by a speaker.

14.4 No resolutions

Following the public forum no debate or decisions will be made at the meeting on issues raised during the forum unless related to items already on the agenda.

Decision-making process

3. 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 Forum speakers’ verbal presentations.

Authored by:

Leeanne Hooper

Team Leader Governance

Approved by:

Desiree Cull

Strategy & Governance Manager

Attachment/s

1 ⇩

2022-25 Regional Transport Committee Terms of Reference

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

12 July 2024

Subject: Regional Transport Programme July 2024 update

Reason for report

1. This agenda item provides an update on the progress on the Regional Transport Advisory Group (RTAG) workstreams and updated Regional Transport Programme Tracker (attached).

Background

2. The Regional Transport Programme Tracker was introduced in February 2023 and provides a snapshot of the RTAG workstreams in addition to the commentary provided in this paper.

Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP)

3. The RLTP, focused on resilience, maintenance, connecting our communities, and our local / rural roading network, was consulted on from 16 March to 14 April 2024. The Committee heard from 14 submitters during the public hearings. Following deliberations, the Committee resolved to add a number of items, along with adjustments and amendments as needed.

4. The draft RLTP is scheduled for adoption by the Regional Council at the 24 July meeting.

Regional Speed Management planning

5. This work was stopped by the Transport Minister following the election. However, proposed changes to the existing ‘Setting of Speed Limits Rule’ were out for consultation, closing 11 July.

6. The proposed changes differ from the previous rule in a number of ways, most notably the requirement for a cost benefit analysis for each proposed speed change, robust consultation requirements, implementation of variable speed signs outside schools, introduction of a Ministerial speed objective, and updated certification requirements.

7. The proposed changes also seek to reverse speed limit changes made since 1 January 2020. No consultation will be required to reverse speed limits. Further, it is proposed that reduced speed limits on State Highways can be retained if NZTA can show community support.

8. TAG will present a discussion paper at the next RTC meeting, once the consultation period has closed and next steps are clearer.

RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay

9. The Road Safety Strategy is progressing as staff time and resourcing allows.

10. A separate RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay agenda item provides detailed updates on activities.

Transport Emissions Reduction Plan

11. The draft Transport Emissions Reduction chapter, endorsed by the Committee on 3 November 2023, has been built into the Regional Emissions Reduction Plan presented to the Climate Action Joint Committee. Transport-related actions were built into the draft RLTP where applicable.

Active Transport

12. Planned Transport Choices projects will not proceed as planned due to funding no longer being available.

13. Progress on the Regional Active Transport Strategy has been delayed. The primary reasons for this are the impacts of cyclone on staff time and RLTP development. It is expected work will resume throughout 2024.

Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) implementation

14. The RPTP, adopted in September 2022, set out a step change for public transport services across the urban areas. The RPTP outlined a move away from the current one-way loop coverage model to a frequent bi-directional patronage model.

15. Staff continue to work towards the new network, scheduled for mid-2025.

Decision-making process

16. 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 July 2024 update.

Authored by:

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy & Policy Analyst

Approved by:

Katrina Brunton

Group Manager Policy & Regulation

Attachment/s

1 ⇩

Regional Transport Programme tracker

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

12 July 2024

Subject: RoadSafe Hawke's Bay update

Reason for report

1. This report provides the Committee with an update on the business-as-usual activities of RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay, including the 2024 Youth Road Safety Expo.

Strategic fit

2. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay provides education and interventions across the region linked to and informed by risk factors. By doing this, RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay helps to reduce the impact and severity of road trauma, creating safer communities.

Discussion

Youth Road Safety Expo 2024

3. The Youth Road Safety Expo is a large-scale annual event run by RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay, in collaboration with partner agencies such as Police, Fire and Emergency NZ, St. Johns, NZTA / Waka Kotahi and others. The expo runs across the first week of May, welcoming year 11 – 13 students from across the region.

4. Following three years of cancellations the key partners and Roadsafe Hawkes Bay were thrilled to get back in front of over 2,000 young drivers at the start of their driving journey. The Expo was well attended by 19 secondary schools and alternative education providers. Feedback from the schools show that the Expo has been well received by both the students and staff, with a good balance of strong messages that increase skills and knowledge of how young drivers can keep themselves and other road users safe.

5. The Expo had a range of interactive activities along with competitions to drive engagement and encourage learning. These also provided the ability to gain greater attendance insight and assist in the overall evaluation of the event. Post-event evaluation and feedback are underway.

Road Safety Week 2024

6. Road Safety Week is an annual event held across the country during mid May to raise awareness of risk factors and provide community education. Road Safety Week 2024 saw further check point / spotting campaigns to support the ongoing work of Police, resulting in enforcement action where necessary.

7. Complementing this, the ‘caught being good’ initiative is run alongside, seeking to reward drivers for favourable road safety behaviors, such as pulling over to use their cellphone.

Youth initiatives

8. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay has been involved with both the Building Futures programme, run out of Tumu Timbers, and the Ignite youth programme. Both of these initiatives involve regular engagement with youth in training, sharing road safety messaging, education, and best practice.

9. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay, along with a range of other funders and support partners, has enabled the Community Driver Mentoring pilot programme run by Ignite Youth Employment. The trial ran for 12 months and had an initial target of 50 clients. Experiencing substantial success, the trial has successfully helped 75 clients through their driver licensing journey.

10. Rangatahi education sessions with young offenders who have driving offences, being dealt with through the youth court, continue as needed. These interventions are intensive and targeted, delivering messaging and education directly to small groups of often at-risk youth. Sessions are conducted in collaboration with Police.

Other road safe initiatives

11. A joint initiative has been undertaken in collaboration with ACC and their ‘Have a Hmm’ campaign. This involved primary school students delivering road safety messaging to their community. Alongside this, a joint cycle pathway initiative was developed to offer safety and injury prevention advice and reminders to users of the trails. These flyers were delivered via i-sites, cycle shops, wineries, and cycling groups.

12. ACC provided joint funding to enable the initiative.

Decision-making process

13. 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 update staff report.

Authored by:

Zavia Hands-Smith

Sustainable Transport Advisor

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy & Policy Analyst

Approved by:

Katrina Brunton

Group Manager Policy & Regulation

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee

12 July 2024

Subject: Public Transport July 2024 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. Prior to year end 2023, HBRC entered into mediation with Go Bus, resulting in both parties reaching a mutually agreeable position on matters including driver wage uplift, gross price reset and non-compliance deductions. These agreements, particularly the driver wage uplift, enabled Go Bus to secure more drivers, allowing the reinstatement of full services.

5. All contracted GoBay services were reinstated on 28 January 2024. Following the reinstatement of full services some key highlights include:

5.1. Route 12 returning to 20-minute frequency during peak times and 30 minutes off peak

5.2. All Sunday Services reinstated

5.3. Route 10 reinstated.

6. In March 2024, HBRC ended its contract with the live tracking operator, Track-A-Bus, in favour of Radiola, another New Zealand based provider. The Radiola platform is now used for the live tracking of all Go Bay buses, with a notable improvement in real time tracking and data reporting insights.

Public Transport Patronage

7. As Figure 1 shows, there has been a sustained increased in patronage following the full reinstatement of services from 28 January. Generally, patronage is sitting in the low to mid 40,000’s monthly – a significant improvement on previous performance.

Figure 1: Public Transport patronage (July 23 – June 24)

Fares

8. The Community Connect concession scheme ended 1 May 2024.

9. HBRC decided to increase bus fare prices from 1 May 2024. This was due to rising operational costs, and the removal of NZTA funding for specific age groups. These adjustments were necessary to ensure the sustainability of our service and ensure sufficient farebox recovery.

9.1. Cash fares were increased from $2 to $3 for one zone travel and $3 to $4 for two zone travel.

9.2. The new fares are outlined in the table below.

One Zone			Two Zones
From 1 May, 2024			From 1 May, 2024
	Cash	Beecard		Cash	Beecard
Adult (18+)	$3.00	$2.00	Adult (18+)	$4.00	$3.00
SuperGold Peak	$3.00	$2.00	SuperGold Peak	$4.00	$3.00
Community Service Card	$3.00	$1.00	Community Service Card	$4.00	$1.50
Youth (5-18)	$3.00	$1.25	Youth (5-18)	$4.00	$1.50
Child (0-5)	Free	Free	Child (0-5)	Free	Free

9.3. A youth concession was implemented by HBRC as a result of public feedback. The concession sees youth riders paying $1.25 for one zone, and $1.50 to travel two zones.

9.4. Central government continues to subsidise community service card concessions at half the adult fare.

10. Figure 2 shows the farebox revenue over the last financial year. New fares were introduced from 1 May and there was a material increase in farebox revenue. In total, fare revenue in May was 117% above April.

Figure 2: GoBay Fare Revenue (July 2023 – June 2024)

On Demand Public Transport (ODPT)

11. An agreement has been reached with GoBus to extend the MyWay service until the end of the current PT contract period, which ends 31 July 2025. There is currently no intention to continue the service beyond this date.

12. The accessible van has been off the road for several months with a range of mechanical issues. This has had an impact on both capacity and access.

13. Figure 3 below show the MyWay patronage over the past financial year.

Figure 3: MyWay Passenger stats (July 23 – June 24)

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 a 75% fare discount up to a maximum fare value of $50. The scheme is administered by the Regional Council and funded by both the Council and NZTA / Waka Kotahi.

15. The Total Mobility Scheme has experienced significant growth over the past year. With an ageing population it is expected that this growth will continue. While the scheme provides connection and access for users, the costs to run the service are increasing. There has been an increase in the use of the service following the high levels of cancellation of the public bus, and again following the cyclone.

16. As a result of the sustained increases, HBRC will undertake a review of the scheme, focusing on conditions around eligibility for and use of the Total Mobility Scheme. This will also include carriage conditions, reporting and performance requirements for Total Mobility providers. Currently there is a lack of clear guidance, policy, and formal agreements with the individual operators.

17. Figure 4 below shows the trips over the last financial period. The average monthly trip count is 11,441 and the average monthly concession amount (fare portion not paid by the rider) is $190,276.10. This continues to be the result of increased subsidies, longer journey travel times as experienced post-cyclone, and longer distances travelled due to greater subsidies.

Figure 4: Total Mobility Trips

Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Transport Choices Package

18. Last year HBRC was in the process of securing funding from central government to upgrade several bus stops around the region with real-time bus information, new shelter design and security lighting all powered by solar. The CERF fund was discontinued and HBRC and other councils across the region missed out on the funding opportunity for a range of projects.

New network and contract

19. The contract for the provision of Public Transport services is due to end on 31 July 2025. In preparation for a new contract, staff released a Request for Interest (RFI) document on the Government Electronic Ticketing System (GETS) website during December 2023. The intent of the RFI was to provide basic information around the planned new network requirements to seek expressions of interest from bus companies which may be interested in tendering for the new contract. Staff received interest from five companies wishing to take part in the next steps.

20. As part of the new network, HBRC is required to undertake a robust business-case process for NZTA. The main cause of this requirement is that the new network will provide a different model / improvements for public transport services, thereby requiring the development of a business case for sign off.

21. Staff are working with MR Cagney and Taith Consulting (specialist public transport consultants) to produce the business case required for Waka Kotahi to proceed with the transition from looped routes to the new, bi-directional services outlined in the RPTP.

22. Indicative funding has been provided to HBRC from Waka Kotahi. Funding levels remain a challenge in order to implement our full adopted RPTP. This will mean service levels are likely to remain fairly similar to the current levels offered but on a new bi-directional network.

Decision-making process

23. 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 July 2024 update staff report.

Authored by:

Zavia Hands-Smith

Sustainable Transport Advisor

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy & Policy Analyst

Approved by:

Katrina Brunton

Group Manager Policy & Regulation

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.