AUSTRALIA Australasian Bus & Coach has reported that on demand transport is coming to the regions as the NSW (New South Wales) Government has launched expressions of interest for an initial set of user-tailored public transport trials.
According to the magazine, NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said on demand services will play a big part in the future of public transport and it was critical to bring that future to rural and regional NSW.
“Instead of relying on timetables, on demand brings transport to you – when you want, and where you want,” he said. “This is a major opportunity for industry to partner with Government to improve and personalise transport all over the state.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said that while the NSW Government is trialling on demand services across Sydney, this call for expressions of interest is focused specifically on rural and regional NSW. He said the trials could include connecting services to existing transport hubs, schools, universities, hospitals or places of interest.
“This trial is all about putting the transport customer at the centre of the system,” he said. “We want to provide a new model of transport for rural and regional NSW that satisfies the individual and unique needs of local towns and rural cities. I really would like to see regional companies putting their hand up for this trial, because often its country businesses who know best how to deliver for country people.
“Not only do we want to hear from local innovators, we also want to hear from rural and regional bus, community transport and taxi operators – those who know the local area and understand what local transport customers need.”
Expressions of interest for the rural and regional on demand transport trial are open on the NSW Government e-tendering website. Following an evaluation period, all pilots are expected to be operational by the end of 2018.
