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The new contracts’ strength is that it provides an exit
payment if a contract is terminated. There is an option for
contractors to terminate their contract if the service route
is reduced by 50%, and still receive an exit payment. There
is an appeals mechanism with an independent referee to review
default notices. The new payment model provides for fixed and
variable costs and a profit margin. The contract allows for
all costs to be reviewed by an independent expert panel over
a three-year period, with the power to bind both the Government
and industry to its decisions.
These
contractual changes provide greater certainty for both contractors
and government, give clarity to the contractual conditions
of service delivery and provide greater safeguards for school
bus contractors.
Operational
issues
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of page
Services
In addition to substantial contractual reform, a number of
reviews were undertaken to maximise school bus service efficiency
and ensure the school bus budget was used to the maximum advantage
of the community, particularly in regional areas. A number
of opportunities were identified for bus route improvement
and rationalisation, and this allowed the savings to provide
school bus services in areas where student transport entitlements
had developed. In particular, school bus services were reallocated
where there was a direct duplication of either Transperth
services in the metropolitan area or government subsidised
regional town bus services within regional towns. This was
done in Australind and Leschenault where Bunbury City Transit
services were expanded and routes rationalised. Similar changes
occurred in Mandurah/Rockingham when the new Mandurah Bus
Station was opened in September 2003, and most recently a
school bus route rationalisation was implemented in the Eastern
Hills area.
During
the year, a number of new school bus services were introduced
at Bullsbrook, Pinjarra, Karratha and Albany to cope with
passenger loading issues. Due to changing demographics and
declining population trends in some areas, particularly in
the Wheatbelt, a small number of school bus services were
withdrawn as student numbers fell below the minimum requirement
of four students. This occurred in the towns of Westonia,
Bruce Rock, Buntine, Ravensthorpe and Williams.
New school
bus services for students attending special education facilities
were commenced in the metropolitan area and covered the areas
of Riverside, Peel and Forrestfield. The relocation of the
Carawatha Language Development Centre to Beeliar Primary School
saw a number of services rerouted. It also provided opportunity
to rearrange a few services that had been travelling in excess
of 90 minutes so that they fall within the 90-minute threshold.
Liaison
To effectively manage the wide range of state school bus contracts,
liaison visits to school
communities are undertaken to discuss transport issues with
contractors, school principals and
school bus advisory committees. The highlight of these on-site
visits in 2003/04 were visits to
Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley to gain first-hand
understanding of school community
transport issues in that region.
Bus
maintenance
During the year, 1,630 inspections were conducted to ensure
school buses were roadworthy and well maintained, and only
29 infringements were issued. This result highlights the benefits
of the bus inspection program and no doubt contributes to
the high safety record of the State’s school bus arrangements.
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