Moving Regional South Australia
March 2003 Volume 1, Issue 1

Address from the Executive Director
Welcome to ‘Moving Regional SA’ - a quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date on regional passenger transport issues.

It's been an exciting time with the first of the Integrated Transport Services up and running successfully in the Coorong Council area (Coorong Coaches), Strathalbyn and surrounds (TransitPlus), Mount Pleasant to Tea Tree Gully (Affordable Coaches) and Meadows and Callington to Mt Barker (Magor's Bus Service).

Tendering for services in the Southern Yorke Peninsula, Mid-Murray, Karoonda East Murray and Southern Mallee are in the final stages of being implemented. Tenders have also been offered for the provision of services in the Upper North and Gladstone areas.

These build upon the existing transport services provided by valuable route service operators, the town bus services and the fantastic work of the CPN’s.

In addition, medical services have been implemented from Tailem Bend to Adelaide (Coorong Coaches). A similar service is currently being progressed for Clare and Burra to Adelaide.

Studies have commenced for the Clare/Wakefield Council areas, including previous work done in Goyder, the Tatiara District Council area, the Riverland and the South Coast. It is expected that Integrated Studies for each of these areas will be completed over the next year.

We look forward to working with you all as we address the transport needs of regional South Australians.

Integrated Transport Plans
Integrated Transport Plans are a new concept bringing together local communities and the Public Transport Division. They commenced with the Murray Mallee Transport study in May 2001 which sought to address the passenger transport needs of the Murray Mallee region.

This study was an initiative of the Murray and Mallee Local Government Association (M&MLGA), the Murray Mallee Strategic Task Force (MMSTF) and the Murray Mallee Community Transport Scheme (MMCTS). The study arose from increasing concerns about the lack of transport options in the region.

The study consisted of two key components, the first of which was a detailed needs analysis of the region to ascertain the key transport needs of the community through a series of targeted consultations.

The second component involved the development of a passenger transport plan to meet these needs. These proposals are then taken back to the community through public meetings to gather feedback and implement changes.

The study, resultant strategies and recommendations are based on 4 key principles. In broad terms these are:

1. to encourage the coordination and integration of existing transport services and infrastructure;
2. to promote more efficient use of government resources;
3. to support private operators to deliver identified transport services and
4. to encourage strong community involvement in identifying the transport needs of the region and development of strategies to address these needs.

We all recognise that not all needs can be met, however the plans aim is to be a starting place which can be built upon according to the communities needs.

They have a strong community focus which is built into the process and the contract to ensure ongoing community consultation.

Meet the Team
The Integrated Regional Services Team came together in May 2001 to specifically focus on the transport needs of regional South Australia.

The team is led by Phil Saunders, formerly an agricultural scientist and accountant with wide experience in working with regional communities.

Michelle Spagnoletti has played a pivotal role in guiding the team since its inception. She has a large amount of experience within the industry going back to the Taxi Board days. Michelle is currently taking 6 months maternity leave and will return to work in September.

Len Lehman has been with the team from the beginning and has worked with regional commercial operators for over 25 years. He has an extensive knowledge of the Road Traffic Act, Australian Design Rules and Code of Practice for buses.

Loretta Sassi joined the team in January 2002 with a background in economics & phycology. She is currently studying for her MBA.

Dennis Walsh moved to the regional team in September 2002 after working in the metropolitan contracts area for a number of years.

Belinda White and Natasha Quist joined the team soon after. Belinda brings skills in urban and regional planning and is currently studying for her Masters in International Studies.

Natasha provides a high level of customer service and administrative support, particularly as most of the team are often on the road.

John Wilkinson recently joined the team as a graduate in Recreation Planning and Management.

Integrated Regional Services (from L to R) Front: Natasha Quist, Michelle Spagnoletti, Loretta Sassi, Dennis Walsh, Back: Phil Saunders, Len Lehmann, Belinda White.

What the? Uncovering the myths...
With the growing number of services it can be confusing what they all mean. So here are just a few of them:

• Community Passenger Networks (CPN’s)
  There are 11 CPN’s now operating around regional South Australia. They primarily act as a transport brokerage and information service. Some also offer last resort transport for the transport disadvantaged. They provide a supportive role for the new services.
  
  
• Regular Passenger Services
  - Route Services
  These are commercially operated services primarily to Adelaide. These include services operated by Premier Stateliner, Yorke Peninsula Coaches, Greyhound Pioneer/McCafferty’s, Murray Bridge Passenger Service, Barossa Valley Coaches and Transitplus.
  - Special Services
  These are services to Adelaide for people who are unable to access route services and are primarily used by people accessing medical appointments (see article on Coorong Coaches).
  - Integrated Transport Services
  These are based on the Integrated Transport Plans and are services into, out of and within the study area.

Local Updates
CLARE & GILBERT VALLEY, WAKEFIELD & GOYDER STUDY
Dennis Walsh together with the Clare & Gilbert Valley Council, Wakefield Regional Council, Northern Areas Council & Regional Council of Goyder conducted 29 consultations in February for the Clare/Wakefield/Goyder Integrated Transport Study.

TATIARA
A new study of the Tatiara District Council will be commencing soon. Consultations are currently being planned.

SOUTH COAST
The South Coast study is underway. This covers the District Council of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Council who are currently identifying key stakeholders for the first round of consultations.

UPPER NORTH & GLADSTONE STUDIES
Tenders have been evaluated for both studies.

CLARE & BURRA SPECIAL SERVICE
Tenders have been evaluated for this service and negotiations are commencing.

Auburn Community Consultation - February 2003

SOUTHERN YORKE PENINSULA
Negotiations with tenderers are in progress. Services are expected to be implemented in May 2003.

PROVINCIAL CITIES
Tenders have been released for the provision of the town bus services for Murray Bridge and Port Pirie. Tenders for Mount Gambier and Whyalla are expected to be released over the coming months and will be followed by Port Augusta and Port Lincoln.

Services will not change as part of this process. Contracts will now be held with the OPT rather than Councils, where Councils will continue to play a strong community advocacy role.

MID MURRAY, SOUTHERN MALLEE & KAROONDA EAST MURRAY
Negotiations are taking place for the provision of these services. These will form the last of the Murray Mallee services to be implemented.

RIVERLAND
The Riverland study has commenced. This covers the District Councils of Loxton Waikerie, Berri Barmera, Mid Murray (River North Ward excluding Swan Reach) and Renmark Paringa. Targeted consultations will soon commence to gather the transport needs of these communities. This study complements the Murray Mallee Transport Study.

The Public Transport Division
The Public Transport Division (OPT) is a statutory authority established by the State Government in 1994 to plan, regulate and fund South Australia’s land-based passenger transport.

Mission and Vision:
The OPT will work to improve land passenger transport services for the benefit of the South Australian community.

The OPT's vision is for integrated and accessible passenger transport services that respond to the diverse and changing needs of our customers.

These services are viable for providers, reduce the environmental impact of travel and provide many other benefits to the community.

"Moving Regional South Australia" is distributed to Local Government, Community Passenger Networks, Commercial Passenger Transport Operators, District Superintendents of Education and Regional Health Managers.

TO BE ADDED TO THE DISTRIBUTION LIST PLEASE CONTACT NATASHA QUIST ON (08) 8303 0887 OR VIA EMAIL:
natasha.quist@sagov.sa.gov.au

Coorong Coaches Special
Coorong Coaches have been operating a service from Tailem Bend to Adelaide for six months. This service is predominantly for people accessing medical services who are unable to use regular route services, such as the Murray Bridge Passenger Service.

The service commenced in September 2002 and has been designed to be affordable and easily accessible. It is a door-to-door service and has facilities for wheelchair access. Drivers are also trained in first aid.

A total of 293 people have been carried in the last six months to a variety of destinations. Hospitals have been the major destination (58%) with the majority travelling to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The service has also carried a number of other people who cannot use the route services (people who previously were unable to travel). Fares are $25 for Lameroo & Pinaroo, $15 for Murray Bridge & surrounds and $20 for all other areas for a return trip to Adelaide. Carers travel free.

Most people boarded in Murray Bridge, closely followed by Tailem Bend. Coonalpyn and Meningie also had a high number of people using the service. Overall this has been a successful start thanks to Coorong Coaches, the Murray Mallee Community Passenger Scheme, the Rural City of Murray Bridge and the local community.

For bookings or more information about this service, please contact the Murray Mallee Community Transport Scheme on (08) 8572 4288
or Murray Bridge Council on (08) 85391116.

Page last updated on March 23, 2005