Message from

            the President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s hard to believe we are at the end of another year. This year we did see the major achievement of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the government in adopting the introduction of the BCM from July next year.

 

During Christmas it is still business as usual for the Association and we are still lobbying and negotiating a sustainable industry for the future.

 

This year has also seen several trips to Canberra to start industry lobbying at the top. There has been endless meetings with all segments of our State and Local Governments.

 

As we enter 2007 we hope to see the positive and rewarding outcomes that we have been trying to achieve for many years. We are a industry who has been a long time waiting

 

Next year we will still have our challenges and many issues that we still need to address, especially regarding to:

 

Travel to Inspection Stations

The Association has negotiated for travel to inspection stations with payment due early 2007.  The payment will be calculated on the same basis as for 2006 with the Association compiling a data base of operators to enable the TBA to calculate the applicable rate for operators within the varying travel distances to inspection stations.

 

Members who have not invoiced DIER for the value advised for the year 2005/06 previously must submit there claim before 31st December, 2006.

 

Security and Terrorism Threats

This is another very important issue that the industry has been asked to take responsibility for. We are in discussions with DIER and also security experts on the best way to move forward.

 

Road and Student Safety Programs

The Association continues to implement safety measures with emphasis on the safety of children in and around school buses.

 

Disability Discrimination Act

This is a big concern of the Association, with the Government putting its head in the sand over the industry’s time frame to be compliant without funds to introduce the requirements.

 

Accreditation for Open Tour & Charter

Discussions have continued positively with Tourism Council, we will be looking at having an agreement on how best we can deliver a tourism accreditation that suits our businesses and making it cost effective and simple audit processes.

 

Review of Core Passenger Services

As we have mentioned in our last Bulletin the Association continue to contribute to the review, having regular meetings on a fortnightly basis with the review team.  Contracts and funding arrangement continue to be major topics of discussions.

 

Industry Data

The Bus Industry Confederation has released a booklet with vital industry statistics.  You can get access to this and other industry information on:

 

 

www.ozebus.com.au

 

 

Bus Cost Model

While this year has seen the completion of discussions in regards to the make up of the new Bus Cost Model (BCM) to the Free to User Contracts we are now in discussions in regards to a BCM for RPT top up and general access services.

 

National Awards

Congratulations to Michael Larrisey on his nomination in the National Award for Outstanding Contribution.

Congratulations also go to Russell Kerger or should I say Mayor of Penguin for winning our local Young Achiever Award and his nomination in the National Awards.

 

During the year we have also welcomed nine new members.

 

As I said earlier, we will not be approaching next year without our fair share of challenges. While some of our issues have an easier solution than others one of our major challenges is to overcome this Government’s poor attitude to a public transport culture and to appreciate the contribution our industry makes towards restricting social exclusion to Tasmanian communities.

 

The Board will continue its professional approach in utilising resources from both within and outside our Association in negotiating further benefits to our industry and make in roads to the Local, State and Federal Governments.

 

I would like to reiterate that the Tasmanian Bus Association is the industry’s main representative to all forms of government.  The board and Geoff have dedicated their time and services into raising the profile of our Association allowing the TBA to be heard as a strong voice and to have an input into the future structure and planning of public transport in Tasmania.

 

On behalf of our members we continue to negotiate with all stakeholders to help make a viable future for our industry and members.  While there may be unrest in the circles of non members in regards to the details of our negotiations on your behalf, you as a member do have the representatives on the Board where you can raise your issues and concerns.

 

I wish Geoff, the Directors, all members and their families and staff a very happy and joyful Christmas and trust that the New Year is safe and healthy for all our friends and relatives.

 

Shane Dewsbery (Bubbles)

 

 

 

BIC Column - December

 

After the hard work and successes of last month’s BIC National Conference, the final month of 2006 is a perfect opportunity to quickly reflect upon the year that has past, and more importantly begin to focus on the challenges and tasks of the approaching new year. 

 

It has been a big year for us at BIC, with quite a few crucial events taking place this year including the BIC Lobbying Day, Shadow Minister’s Forum and, of course, the BIC National Conference in Canberra, one of the highlights being the Prime Minister’s address to BIC delegates in the marble foyer of Parliament House.  We have seen the introduction of the fuel tax credits scheme and been involved in ensuring its smooth transition into industry, and are currently involved in ensuring the concerns of the bus and coach industry are heard in the ongoing debate regarding driving hours and fatigue management and the seatbelts on school buses issue.  Important publications produced by BIC this year include the revised BIC Policy Statement, which was launched on Monday 30th October at the BIC Conference by BIC Chairman Stephen Lucas, and the CRA Report into the ‘Impact on the Australian Economy of Increased Bus Patronage’.  Both publications form an integral part of the armoury with which we will be campaigning for better treatment of, and greater investment in the Australian bus and coach industry.  Copies of both of these publications are available on www.ozebus.com.au or by calling the office on 02 6247 5990.

 

Speaking of OzeBus, this brings us to one of the major developments and achievements to come out of this year and that, of course if the OzeBus web portal.  For those who may not yet be familiar with the site, it has been designed with the needs of our industry in mind and serves as a recruitment tool, a discussion forum, a noticeboard and general repository of information for the bus industry.  That short sentence doesn’t really do the site justice so I’d like to discuss further developments in the portal in the rest of this month’s BIC news.

 

 

OzeBus Job Centre Update

 

There are now 17 jobs posted on the Job Centre for November and rising by the day.  They range from drivers to mechanics to apprentices and management and are being posted by businesses in locales all over the country.  Prospective employers should sign up now via the Job Centre link on the OzeBus home page and start advertising their vacancies. 

 

 

Remember OzeBus is a free service.  So far these jobs have seen 15 applicants and we count this as a breakthrough result which is an indication of the future successes the website can achieve with greater participation. 

 

We have established links with various government agencies for the cross promotion of job vacancies on the site and in the coming months we will see the results of these efforts.  One of the partnerships we have established is with the Federal Government’s JobSearch website which is the largest online government employment website in Australia.  Aside from providing links to OzeBus and an advertisement banner on the JobSearch home page, there will soon be an automated function in place whereby all OzeBus employers job vacancies will be advertised through the JobSearch network to take advantage of their employment market coverage and penetration. 

 

We are also arranging to have OzeBus job vacancies automatically sent to the local area Job Network members, for them to be advertised in government funded local employment and training agencies.  OzeBus is an important part of the BIC and State Association’s strategies to address the skills shortages currently taking place in our sector.  To take advantage of the website all you need to do is place any and all vacancies on OzeBus and we’ll take care of the rest.

 

The Ozebus Job Centre has a further function that enables people who are actively seeking work to advertise themselves and their skills and experience on the site and we encourage registered employers to take the time to see who is looking for work in your area.  There are currently 12 job seekers posting their skills and availabilities on the Jobs Wanted page.  Please note this area is only available to registered employers, but registration takes place online at www.ozebus.com.au and is free and instantaneous.

 

 

Ozebus Forum Update

 

A further success is the OzeBus Forum which has showcased the diversity and strength of opinions relating to issues that affect the bus and coach industry.  Some topical and contemporary subjects discussed recently include climate change, nuclear power, bus lanes and driver discipline.  To have your say all you need to do is log on and register as an OzeBus user and you can let us know what issues are affecting you and you business, what concerns you and what annoys you!  The BIC Team and I are regular contributors to the forum and it is an interesting and useful exercise which I implore you to use.

 

 

OzeBus Competition

 

 

 

 

$500 worth of accommodation

anywhere in the world

 

OzeBus features a competition section which will see regular competitions running on the website.  The ‘choose your destination’ competition is underway on OzeBus and the prize is $500 of accommodation through www.wotif.com.au which can be used wherever you want in the world.  Simply enter the competition by clicking the competition icon on the top right of screen and completing the survey and you are in the running.  Bacchus Management are running the OzeBus competition at the moment but other suppliers or interested advertisers with their own ideas for Competition Corner or other advertising spots should contact the BIC to discuss the opportunities. 

 

The winner of our first OzeBus competition was Skye Naismith

from Mt Gravatt Coach & Travel,

in Slacks Creek, Queensland.

 

Skye has won 2 free registrations to the BIC Conference in 2007 in Perth, and we congratulate her for her good fortune. 

 

OzeBus Newsletter

 

BIC is now producing a fortnightly OzeBus newsletter which is circulated to BIC Members as well as other interested parties in the government and private sector.  It features regular updates about the website, new developments and competitions as well as other general BIC news and if you would like to receive the fortnightly OzeBus newsletter then please email Clint Rosewarne on clint@bic.asn.au

 

Footy Tipping

 

Good news for the sports fans!  The 2007 OzeBus footy competition will be getting underway soon.  If you fancy yourself as quite the expert in any of our three major codes, AFL, Rugby League or Rugby Union then you should definitely sign up for the OzeBus Newsletter or keep you eyes on the website.  We anticipate the tipping competition to be ready in time for the 2007 Union season which kicks off in February.  To enter the footy tipping you will need to be a registered OzeBus Forum user, so watch the OzeBus space.

 

 

Senate Inquiry into Workforce Challenges in the Transport Industry

 

BIC is currently composing a submission to the Senate on the Workforce Challenges in the Transport Industry Inquiry, and we would like to open up the process to industry involvement.  The Senate has referred an inquiry into workforce challenges in the transport sector to its Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee.  The committee has broad terms of reference to look at current and future employment trends in the industry; industry needs and the skills profile of the current workforce; current and future skill and labour supply issues; strategies for enhanced recruitment, training and retention; and, strategies to meet employer demand in regional and remote areas.  The purpose of the inquiry is:-

 

}                to address the scope of the problem of labour and skill shortages affecting all sectors of the transport industry and the likely consequences of serious labour shortages;

}                to review labour supply research undertaken for the transport industry, to canvass the views of industry, consumers and unions in regard to recruitment and employment practices in the industry;

}                to alert Parliament to the projected labour shortage in the transport industry which will seriously affect the distribution of all goods and most travel services in the next ten years; and,

}                to make recommendations on Commonwealth-led coordination of improved training delivery for the sector, and address issues related to employment incentives and disincentives that are characteristic of the industry.

 

Key areas in which we seek industry thoughts are:

In what areas do skills and labour shortages exist?

What are the underlying reasons for these shortages?

How are operators and suppliers coping with the shortages?

What are the solutions from an industry perspective?

What are the solutions required from government?

 

We are interested in the thoughts of operators and suppliers so we have posted these questions on OzeBus as a forum topic and would invite comments. 

 

To have your say go to:-

www.ozebus.com.au/OzeBusForum

 

Other BIC News:

 

2007 Lobbying Day

 

In light of the looming Federal election, we are strapping on the boots again this year and conducting a Lobbying day on the 21^st March to run in conjunction with the first BIC Council of the year.  After our recent successes during the BIC Conference it is an optimal time to continue to raise the profile of the industry and continue to drive home the message about Federal support for public transport.  As we did last year, we aim to engage Members of Parliament and Senators from around Australia and generate discussions between them that the Bus Industry are back in town and that public transport or a National Moving People Strategy is an important part of the solution to our national transport woes.  Issues of climate change, health and fuel price stability amongst others will be some of the issues that define the coming election and we will not miss out on having our say when government policy is being formed for the coming election and well after it.  We are on the Federal Government’s radar and intend to stay there.

 

 

2007 Key Dates Approaching

 

27^th -28^th February    –   Australian Roads Summit

20^th March               –   BIC Council, Canberra

21^st March               –   BIC Lobbying Day, Canberra

16^th April                 –   BCASA Annual Awards Dinner

11^th -13^th April          –   QBIC Conference, Brisbane

20^th - 23^rd April         –   BCANSW

                                   Exhibition & Conference,

                                   Hunter Valley

4^th June                   –   TasBus AGM & Conference

1^st July                    –   BIC Council,

                                   BAV Offices Port Melbourne

2^nd - 3^rd July             –   BusVic ‘Bus Expo’ Conference

                                   Moonee Valley

 

These key dates and others can be found in more detail on OzeBus on the Events page.  If you have any further key dates to contribute please email admin@bic.asn.au

 

 

Finally on to the subject of well wishing; please have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year from all of us at BIC. 

 

See you next year.

 

 

 

Bus Industry and Security

 

BIC Representatives attended the 2006 Mass Transit Security Conference in Brisbane 4-5 December, 2006.

 

The Conference clearly highlighted that the onus was squarely on the operators of public transport services to ensure that their assets are protected against the threat of terrorism and security threats.

 

Michael Apps, Executive Director of the BIC, said "Operators like many other areas of their operations need to have in place a management plan to deal with issues such as security and terrorists acts."  "It is easy to be complacent as Australians and believe that it will not happen here; the reality is "it could" so we should be prepared."

 

The BIC has distributed an Incident Management Guide to operators to assist them implement a risk management plan in their business to ensure they are prepared and able to react to road accidents, bomb threats and hoaxes or terrorist threats and actions.

 

"The guide is no good on the bookshelf. Operators need to put in place policies, procedures and staff training measures so that vehicles, depots and passengers are safe and secure, and operators' staff are trained to act and respond in the event of an incident," Apps said.

 

Just as importantly, it is vital that BIC and State Associations are working with State Transport Departments and security organisations to ensure that there is a co-ordinated plan and approach across the public transport system in the event of a security or terrorist incident.

 

"There is room for improvement in this area," Apps said.  "Some States seem to have involved bus and coach organisations and operators to a greater extent than others.  Lines of responsibility and communication need to be clear.  This is an area we can do better, I believe."  "It’s not an easy task when the type of incident that might occur is so unpredictable and the circumstances so different from anything we have had to face in Australia before, but it is important that operators are prepared, partnerships with government agencies are in place and communication channels are clear.  This is the key to success."

 

This is vitally important when you understand that of the 70,000 plus buses registered in Australia, only 3,100 approximately are Government owned.

 

 

 

Private operators are doing the bulk of the bus, public transport task under Government contract, just as importantly charter and tour services operate in a deregulated market and need to be included.

 

"I would have to say that I am not completely confident that we have the communication channels between industry, operators and governments that are required."

 

It is also the view of the BIC that the Commonwealth needs to take a greater role in mass transit security.

 

The Commonwealth has introduced the Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) for trucks, rail and port interaction in the freight sector, but for public transport is placing the onus on the States to manage security and terrorism.  How do States control the informal sector of the industry, the fly by nighters touting for business at our airports and hotels?  The reality is anyone can buy a bus, register a bus and operate services outside State Government control.  Surely this is good reason in itself to see a national accreditation regime introduced.

 

The Commonwealth requires "A National Moving People Strategy for Australia" which includes a strategic approach to how we as a nation manage the threats to mass transit, particularly at major events and attractions and whenever large movement of people is occurring, (everyday).

 

The BIC welcomes the work that has been undertaken by Mick Palmer, the Inspector of Transport Security and looks forward to the recommendations of his report which will provide, the industry hopes, some direction for the Commonwealth to work more directly with States and industry on specific public transport initiatives that will make a difference.

 

"This issue is too important to play State-Federal games," Apps said.

 

The Commonwealth, through DOTARS, has done some good work to assist in the development of risk management approaches to dealing with the security threats of terrorism and the Commonwealth seem to be providing good co-ordination in the context of intelligence gathering and police response.

 

The gaps seem to be on the ground with the Commonwealth not engaging State jurisdiction and industry to a level the BIC believes is required to minimise the risks associated with a terrorist attack.

 

"Lets hope the Palmer report will change this."  Apps said.

 

 

Privatisation of Inspection Stations

 

The Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources (DIER) advertised recently for expressions of Interest to apply to be an Approved Inspection Station.

 

The scope of vehicle inspections covers:

Pre-registration inspections of motor vehicles and trailers with a GVM or GTM greater than 4.5t (includes new and used heavy vehicle inspections):

 

}               Scheduled bus inspections (6 or 12 monthly) including small public passenger vehicles.

}               Defect notice clearance inspections that require a brake test.

}               Scheduled taxi and luxury hire car inspections (6 monthly).

}               Heavy vehicles (single or fleet vehicles) otherwise called in for Inspection by DIER.

 

The Tasmanian Bus Association has registered an expression of interest and is currently developing a proposal to be an approved inspection station operating at sites throughout the State with portable testing equipment.

 

 

 

Travel to Inspection Stations

 

The Association has been successful in negotiating with DIER payment for travel to Inspection Stations on similar lines to the payment advised to operators in April 2006.

 

DIER has advised that all contracts held by operators as of commencement of first term 2007 will be paid an amount towards there inspection travel or in instances where operators have the inspections undertaken at their premises an amount the same as for the minimum travel requirement.

 

Members who have not claimed the amount advised in April 2006 and again recently should do so immediately

 

 

School Bus Index (SBI)

 

Advice has been received from DIER that the calculated index for the quarter commencing 1st January 2007 will be 174 (current 175).  In line with the clause in the Interim Service Contract there will be no change to contract payments for the first quarter of 2007.