Who should operate your service and why?

[Haydown500]

With contracts possibly changing hands and new operators etc coming and going soon it got me to thinking....

"what bus company would I like to see run my service"???

I'd like YOU to tell me who you would like to see running your service / contract area / particular route etc

You may pick a company that is currently operating services anywhere in the world, or has operated services in the past but has now closed / moved on. You may wish to discuss why you think that company would be who you would choose as your prefered operator and what they would bring to industry...


For me I would like to see public transport run like a community asset / essential service again. It's a service that every can and should be able to use regardless of their circumstances / race / religion / preferences etc not just as a money making business.




Your thoughts......

[runawaybus]

For the O-Bahn I would like to see Transdev
For the East-West Busways
For the Outer North and Outer South including Gawler Southlnk or ATE
For the Hills- ATE or Transit Plus

However, for another side to it:

O-Bahn- Outer North East- Busways
East-West- Transdev or even ATE
Outer South- Arriva
Outer North- Southlink
Hills- ATE

[runawaybus]

Another thing i would like is the following:

* More express services in peak times on the buses
* Converting some expresses to Transit Link services
* New Loop services in many areas like The ones they are doing for Elizabeth West but expand it to other areas like the Outer North East covering large area of it as well as Eastern Suburbs and even go as far as improving the Southern Circuit to actually cover Aldinga, Willunga, Sellicks Beach and McLaren Vale.
* Extend the Suburban Connector to service West Lakes, Port Adelaide, Semaphore, Mawson Lakes and Prospect Road then along Regency Road, along Normal Suburban Connector route and number it 301.
* More mini buses used at night and Sundays on low patonage services- now you see Scania O-Bahn aritcs used on 507 routes on Sundays.
* More Go-Zones
* Timetables to highlight connecting services more ie. train to bus vice versa
* New Roam Zones but with emphasis on having fixed route coming back from its destination.

[Route 723F]

i would like to see more 7 day transit link and express services introduced

id like to see

outer south: southlink
Outer north and O-Bahn: CDC
Hills: ATE
east-west: transdev

[Eagle Eye]

I agree with most of your points, runawaybus.
Just remember, the artic doing a 507 on a Sunday could change to a J1 when arriving at the Plaza, thus requiring an artic.

I don't think it will be too long before we see more Transit Link buses on weekends. We already have the J1 which is limited stops (partly a former Transit Link service) and we had a T219 for a while on weekends (or just Saturdays??). I think we will see T500 and/or T501 buses on weekends during the daytime soon. These changes will see more weekday evening Transit Link buses to the City via the O-Bahn. Even an all stops 500/501 could come in on weekends soon. TransitPlus have taken their first step in that direction by introducing Adelaide's first 'F' bus on Saturdays, the 864F.

In regards to service providers, there is no real noticeable difference to most people between service providers. All providers have a range of new and old buses, clean and dirty buses, routes that regularly run early and late, good drivers and bad, well-patronised routes and those that 'just provide a service', the buses and uniforms are all similar between companies, and all would have similar policies and procedures. When it comes to workplace conditions and pay rates, there is a slight difference between companies, but otherwise they are all fairly similar, TT and SL especially, just that SL do more train feeders and suburban loops. The SE Freeway and hills make TP's job a little different and have slightly more powerful buses, but all in all there is little difference between the companies.

All companies are providing fresh ideas in these changes – routes through new areas around Andrews Farm and Munno Para West (SL), 'F' buses on Saturdays and extra Saturday Freeway services (TP), and the Suburban Connector around Adelaide (TT). Therefore any new service providers chosen by the Government wouldn't necessarily make for 'better' services for your area.

[SL200- 1880]

I agree with most of your points, runawaybus.
Just remember, the artic doing a 507 on a Sunday could change to a J1 when arriving at the Plaza, thus requiring an artic.
I don't think it will be too long before we see more Transit Link buses on weekends. We already have the J1 which is limited stops (partly a former Transit Link service) and we had a T219 for a while on weekends (or just Saturdays??). I think we will see T500 and/or T501 buses on weekends during the daytime soon. These changes will see more weekday evening Transit Link buses to the City via the O-Bahn. Even an all stops 500/501 could come in on weekends soon. TransitPlus have taken their first step in that direction by introducing Adelaide's first 'F' bus on Saturdays, the 864F.

In regards to service providers, there is no real noticeable difference to most people between service providers. All providers have a range of new and old buses, clean and dirty buses, routes that regularly run early and late, good drivers and bad, well-patronised routes and those that 'just provide a service', the buses and uniforms are all similar between companies, and all would have similar policies and procedures. When it comes to workplace conditions and pay rates, there is a slight difference between companies, but otherwise they are all fairly similar, TT and SL especially, just that SL do more train feeders and suburban loops. The SE Freeway and hills make TP's job a little different and have slightly more powerful buses, but all in all there is little difference between the companies.

All companies are providing fresh ideas in these changes – routes through new areas around Andrews Farm and Munno Para West (SL), 'F' buses on Saturdays and extra Saturday Freeway services (TP), and the Suburban Connector around Adelaide (TT). Therefore any new service providers chosen by the Government wouldn't necessarily make for 'better' services for your area.

Thats exactly how I see it.
'
Now reguarding the highlighted bit. I have seen a shift that does a 507, 507, J1A, J1T then a 543G to surrey downs then a 541 to ttp. It might change tomorrow

[jibb]

What are the chances of the same 2 companies(Torrens Transit and Southlink who control Transit Plus) winning the tenders again.Both companies know what is required to win the tender,know the Adelaide System inside out as well as the politics and of course have the local management and planning skills?I would have thought it would be quite high!
Would be interesting to hear what other people think!

[witsend]

I think you will see Torrens lose part of their contract areas, and ATE/Southlink/TransitPlus maintain their contracts. A new 4th operator I think will pickup either the East/West or North/South or North-East. I'm reasonably sure, all through running will continue, in one form or another, as buses parked in the city on layover doesn't look good.

[runawaybus]

Given the contracts stipulated you need 10 years of bus operating experience means that the current contractors will be around but in a smaller fashion (ie. less contract areas) it is true the Govt has always wanted a fourth operator but for some reason the last contract round i won't name the person but she favoured very much how it is now for some reason even the Auditor General questionned why Torrens Transit had the majority of the contract areas and routes.

[tramfan70]

Don't really care who runs any service but if someone at the DTEI Public Transport division can run a "Queensland Translink" type website that would be a great start. The Translink site was updated so frequently during the flood crisis it is a true credit. The "major disruptions" web page at AdelaideMetro.com does not even compare!

[Haydown500]

I would like to see an operator who puts their drivers first, who actually makes sure buses can run to timetable not just work on paper / computer screen (2 buses on same route supposed to be 15 mins apart) doesn't help anyone.

Also a company who treats all passengers with respect. Those with disabilities and special needs have the right to travel as much as anyone else.

A company would be great if they ran their services not just to save the government money, but to run it for a profit but also to provide employment for people, and also as a service for passengers.

[Mercedes]

When are the contract winners meant to be announced?

[runawaybus]

From Memory they are either meant to be announced very soon or in June 2011 and then they start the contract in September 2011 for some strange reason.

[marshall]

Would like to see a company that provides a a quality of service in which should seek the opinions of drivers as well as the public.

[Fleet Lists]

That is rather a motherhood statement. Every company putting in a tender would say they would meet that requirement. But how would you be able to prove beforehand whether they could actually meet such a requirement?

[jibb]

When are the contract winners meant to be announced?

It is supposed to be towards the end of March-this will then allow 6-7 months for the succesful tenderers to prepare for handover(that is if there are any changes!)

[TT]

And if TransitPlus didn't win the Hills contract area, there would be an awful lot of Scanias on the market?

And if Torrens don't win anything there'd be some ex-Busways Scania K92s, some ex-Harris Mercs, some ex-Melborune MAN SL200s, some ex-Brisbane MAN SL202s and a good MAN 18260 on the secondhand market?

Torrens certainly gained in the last tender process by winning much of the previous Serco areas, so how about Torrens winning the lot, North, south, east, west, Hills? Would that be a good result or not? That should get the talk going?

[witsend]

If TT picked up the whole lot, I'd be very fearful of just how long the 300 would become. It'd prolly continue up the OBahn to Golden Grove then around to munno para and link in Southgate, Colonades and Seaford Shops. Hypothetically of course.