1. Local transport update to ranch
Tuesday 21 August 2018

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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
1/Community-Transport-Factsheet.pdf

16. Sandra Wilson
Manager Regional Transport Planning
Loddon Mallee Region
Transport for Victoria