Local transport update to ranch Tuesday 21 August 2018

Statewide overview for future public transport in REGIONAL Victoria Victoria’s Regional Network Development Plan – deliver better public transport networks across Victoria improve the experience for public transport users support the trial of innovative and more flexible transport services guide long term planning and investment support the growing regional tourism industry Statewide overview

LOCAL TRANSPORT FORUMS A component of the RNDP is the establishment of Local Transport Forums; bringing together transport providers, stakeholders and local communities. The Forums consider innovative and flexible local transport solutions and better integrating local and public transport including: how existing transport assets and resources are used; and co-investment between the State and local government

Local transport forums Differ in size and scope to suit local need for example Loddon Campaspe Local Transport Forum held November 2017 Approximately 50 people attended from across the region From this forum several place based conversations are continuing Some small scale funding applications have been submitted to the Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program Some local transport forums have been established for a few years, and well before this recent government initiative

Local transport forums Mallee Region: encompasses 4 councils with a broad scope to include education, employment, medical and social access Wimmera Mallee: health and medical appointment focus Bellarine: initial priority ageing in place focus Some forums are single project focussed, others may develop an ongoing role Some local transport forums have developed links with Regional Partnership Committees

Local transport Local and community transport encompasses services activities and infrastructure that support people who may have difficulty accessing public transport or where there is limited public transport available Could include point to point medical transport, access for youth, ageing in place, social access, employment and outside of business hours transport Transport for Victoria definition of local transport

Flexible local transport solutions program An innovative grants program for one-off funding for local transport projects Approximately $1.8 million per year for the next four years No annual funding round, rather review by steering committee then recommendation to Ministers Allan and Donnellan at regular intervals

Flexible local transport program Funding Objectives Create networks of coordinated transport (public, community, active) Seed smaller scale initiatives Improve mobility options Resources developed Guide to the Program and Application Form Information Sheets: Flexiride and Use of School Bus Case Studies

Toolkits and case studies Issues around local transport and access are experienced by many communities around the World We can learn from other case studies and existing resources to develop local solutions by working together with local people

Developing local transport options In developing local transport solutions there is a generic process to assist with identifying the most appropriate solutions Key questions include: Is this for an individual or group (how many people) One-off or regular travel trips and times List all the existing local and public transport in your community, how well are they promoted, how easy is it to get to the stop See handouts “General approach to local transport” and “Identifying possible local transport solutions” Note links to toolkits (QLD and UK) are available on the last slide

Case studies Hume Community Assisted Ride Establish a volunteer car and driver scheme for very small rural communities Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council Develop multi-language how to use public transport Bike Bendigo Bike education program for uni students, plus upgrades to key cycling routes

Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Transport Program Case studies Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Transport Program Pilot community transport mini bus for rural communities, links with existing public transport and key health and medical appointment destinations Loddon Shire Audit 5 main towns for existing transport options Develop flyer/promotional materials outlining transport options by town See handout, this project is focussed on health and medical appointments

Passengers book the service in advance Woodend Flexiride The Woodend Flexi ride service is operated by a bus operator and runs 7 services per day Monday to Friday The objective is to provide an urban (intra-town) public transport service for smaller rural towns (typically population of 7000 persons) The main benefit of Flexiride is the ability to cover areas of low demand where a standard service is not viable Passengers book the service in advance See handout

Use of school bus outside of school hours Trials have occurred for use of school bus outside of school hours, or allowing non students on the school bus The first step is to understand the current school bus contract, routes, availability of spare seats There is a priority process to access spare seats on a school bus Use of school bus outside of school hours is dependant on the bus operators existing contracts See handout

Commercial Passenger Vehicle Regulations Recent reforms to the commercial and passenger vehicle regulations could make it easier for community transport providers to expand their scope to offer a commercial service. This is a choice and option that some community transport providers may seek This link is to the Fact Sheet http://taxi.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/30384 1/Community-Transport-Factsheet.pdf

Sandra Wilson Manager Regional Transport Planning Loddon Mallee Region Transport for Victoria Sandra.Wilson@ecodev.vic.gov.au