A new integrated transport authority will co-ordinate the state’s transport services and ensure transport projects are built on time and on budget, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay announced last week.
The Ministers said the establishment of the authority will – for the first time – ensure planning and policy across all modes of transport, including roads, are fully integrated.
The establishment of the authority will see policy and planning experts from all transport agencies working together, rather than in silos.
This means transport agencies will be free to focus solely on delivering quality service to customers.
Ms Berejiklian said the announcement heralded the start of real reform in the transport sector.
“This means RailCorp, Sydney Buses, the RTA and other transport agencies will no longer be responsible for major procurement, long-term planning and policy – instead, they will focus on service delivery,” she said.
“This means fewer people in the back office and more on the front line as our State grows and our transport services grow with it.
“It’s about getting rid of a dysfunctional structure with duplication and poor communication and replacing it with a streamlined agency which plans and delivers for all transport modes.”
Mr Gay said these changes will allow RTA workers to concentrate on delivering their core services to the motoring public.
“Instead of operating in silos, the RTA will now be at the core of an integrated system that will ensure planning for the state’s future roads and transport systems will be in a strategic and holistic way,” Mr Gay said.
The ITA will feature six key divisions including one which – for the first time – will be focused on the customer experience.
The divisions are:
- Customer Experience – which will make sure journeys are as simple and seamless as possible;
- Planning and Programs – which will consolidate planning for all modes and develop a comprehensive transport masterplan;
- Transport Services – which will ensure transport services cost-effectively meet the current and future needs of customers
- Transport Projects – which will ensure major projects are delivered on time and on budget;
- Freight and Regional Development – which will make sure freight services and facilities meet the needs of the State economy, with particular focus on regional NSW; and
- Policy and Regulation – which will develop and oversight polices and laws pertaining to transport across the State.
A nationwide search will be conducted to identify the six people to run the new divisions, with the search to go global if necessary.
The establishment of an independent advisory board will ensure the Government has access to independent advice on planning, delivering and managing the transport system for the NSW community.
The ‘radical overhaul’ of New South Wales’ transport agencies will equip the State to deliver joined up planning and better transport outcomes says Infrastructure Partnerships Australia – the nation’s peak infrastructure body.
“A single agency to oversee transport planning and procurement and drive accountability from line agencies makes sense”, said IPA Chief Executive Brendan Lyon.
