DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION PLAN (DAIP) OUTCOMES
The PTA continued to strengthen its relationships with Disability Support Agencies to improve access to public transport for people with disabilities. The DAIP for 2007-2012 was released in June for public comment. See section “Accessibility for People with Disabilities” for additional information.
RECORDKEEPING
In 2006/07, the PTA commenced a recordkeeping improvement program, resulting in the development and approval of the PTA’s Retention and Disposal Authority, development and implementation of a File Plan and Thesaurus and development of recordkeeping policies and procedures. The evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the recordkeeping system will be undertaken in 2008, once these initiatives have been embedded in the agency as standard recordkeeping practices.
In the recordkeeping improvement program, the development of a training and information program was identified as a key strategy in improving corporate knowledge and understanding and the application of good recordkeeping practices. An integral part of the program will be recordkeeping awareness training. The PTA purchased a commercial training package for recordkeeping awareness training, which will initially be introduced to administrative employees at the Public Transport Centre. The package will be rolled out to at least 90% of employees at this location within 12 months of its implementation.
Pending formalisation of the new training and information program, the PTA continued delivering its existing recordkeeping information and training in 2006/07.
This was provided through:
- presentations for new PTA employees and information provided in the Induction Manual
- information sessions at the invitation of business areas
- informal training and information sessions where staff are consulted or interviewed relating to recordkeeping activities
- regular notices on the intranet newsletter “Transnet”
- one-to-one and group training in the use of the records management system (for new staff and at a recent system upgrade)
The PTA will also formalise methods for measuring and evaluating efficiency and effectiveness of the PTA’s recordkeeping system. This will be modelled on the quality management framework for ISO9001:2000.
SUSTAINABILITY
The PTA five-year Sustainability Action Plan was submitted in February 2005. The plan outlines a number of priority areas to maximise sustainability during the planning, development and operations of its integrated public transport system. The plan also encourages PTA staff to actively participate in the activities that make a contribution towards a better future. These activities include energy conservation, recycling, fundraising, travel by public transport, and occupational safety and health.
In 2006/07, the PTA continued to work with relevant external parties to identify opportunities to maximise sustainability during the development and planning of transport services. This included:
- Transit Oriented Development (TOD) planning
- Integration of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists
- Protection and restoration of local air, water, soils, flora and fauna
- Services to assist people with disabilities
Highlights of the implementation of the PTA’s Sustainability Action Plan’s priorities for 2006/07 include:
- First PTA report to the Western Australia Greenhouse Gas Inventory
- Establishment of a Green Transport Team to develop a Green Transport Plan for the PTA
- Participation in the development of the Premier’s Climate Change Statement
- Full implementation of the paperless SmartRider ticket system in Transperth
- Implementation of the environmental management system training program and related E learning
- Appointment of a Cycling Coordinator to establish an employee cycle-to-work program
- Implementation of an environmental induction program
- Implement recommendations of the energy audit and building greenhouse rating conduced in 2005/06
- Implemented recommendations of a water audit and worked with Water Corporation to identify improvement strategies including the trial of waterless urinals
- Participation in the “Clean Run” program
- Continued biodiesel trials
- Employee participation in the Business Clean-up Australia Day
Many objectives and priorities of the Sustainability Action Plan are integrated into other PTA initiatives, for example:
- Accessibility for People with Disabilities
- SmartRider
- Gas Buses
- Building Better Station program
- New MetroRail
- Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
GREENHOUSE EMISSION REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
During 2006/07, the PTA:
- Continued implementation of its Sustainability Action Plan
- Assisted the Department for Planning and Infrastructure in its research project into hydrogen-powered buses
- Completed delivery of its new (B-series) suburban railcars which use re-generative brakes to improve energy efficiency by over 20% (implements a similar principle which applies to hybrid cars)
- Continued purchase of gas buses which reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12%
HIGH LEVEL OF URBAN AIR QUALITY
The PTA continued its program to replace diesel-fuelled Transperth buses with compressed natural gas buses.
A total of 109 Transperth diesel buses were tested through the “Clean Run” program, including nine buses from the biodiesel fleet. The result of the tests were used to confirm the suitability of the current maintenance program and will be used to identify high emission buses for additional preventative maintenance.
All pre 1996 Transperth buses passed the emission testing requirements set by the Federal Government.
PRICING POLICY
Government continued to maintain public transport fares at an affordable level by restricting fare increases to the change in CPI. In accordance with government policy student fares were held at 50 cents.
Transwa fares are established by the State Government to ensure affordability for regional Western Australians. For the 2006/07 financial year, fares were held at 2005/06 levels.
Transperth fare information is provided at www.transperth.wa.gov.au.
Transwa fare information is provided at www.transwa.wa.gov.au.