WA Transport History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

1980

By the early 1980s, up to 40 air-conditioned coaches operated by six or more companies were making the 3000km trans-Nullabor trip regularly each week to and from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The first stage of the Land Freight Transport Policy was brought into operation on April 14 with the virtual deregulation of transport within 150km of Perth GPO and within 100km of the regional centres of Geraldton, Bunbury, Albany, Esperance and Kalgoorlie. From this date, road hauliers could compete freely for customers with each other and with Westrail — with no advantage save that of offering the best and/or cheapest service. A survey a few months later among customers who had changed from rail to road transport as a result of the new policy, gave some interesting results. Many gave as reasons for switching, either lower cost or less damage to goods in transit. But no less than 70 percent of them listed as their main reasons the advantages of door-to-door delivery or service on demand — both illustrations of the flexibility that had characterised road transport since its inception. On the other hand, Westrail had not suffered seriously from its new competition. In the first year its revenue fell by 0.5 percent — a loss, which it was confident would be partly or wholly offset by the operational economies made possible by the new policy.

The President reported at the February 6 meeting the sudden death of Treasurer A G Bray and it was decided to appoint D A Maher as the temporary Treasurer until the Annual General Meeting in August.

The Association wrote “a strong letter of objection” to the Government in February on the proposed 5 cents per litre tax on fuel to replace licence and third-party insurance.

The Association met with the Noise Vibration Council representative, Dr Hayworth, regarding truck noises in the Shire of Melville. It was emphasised by the Association that vehicle manufacturers should be producing vehicles, which conform to recognised noise levels.

The Confederation of WA Industry has formed a new Committee of Affiliated Associations at which the Executive Director would attend future meetings.

The Transport Commission agreed to extend the minimum life of licensed tour coaches of 10 years to 15 years or more subject to passing an annual inspection as defined in the Road Traffic Act.

A Safari Tour was designated by the Transport Commission as being: “Throughout the duration of which all meals and sleeping accommodation is provided for passengers by the licensee, predominantly using tentage, portable cooking, ablution and toilet equipment carried on the licensed vehicle.”

The South West Districts branch was inaugurated at the Bussell Motor Hotel, Bunbury on November 21, 1980. Nineteen transport companies were represented and the Minister for Transport, E C Rushton, was in attendance. The following committee was elected: Chairman: J Kelly. Vice-Chairman: B Kaaks. Committee: J Bovell, G Brooks, B Blum, G Olsen, L Shepherdson. Mr Rushton spoke of the Government’s Land Transport Policy regarding road and rail. Stage 1 of the policy was introduced in April with the first step towards freeing the regulations governing road transport. The limits of 9-tonne loads and the restricted areas of operation would be reviewed, although no indication could be given as to the anticipated date of any changes. The Government did not intend to spend public money to put additional vehicles into the Westrail road services, providing that private road transport could offer a service at reasonable cost and with adequate standards, he said.

A meeting of the National Road Transport Industry Training Committee on March 26 seeking to re-form the State Training Committee was attended and divisions were to be asked for comments.

The WA Freight Transport Committee was formed and WARTA members T O’Brien and R L Cummings were appointed to the committee. Mr O’Brien reported to the Association Executive meeting of April 30, 1980 that the main thrust of the meeting was the restrictions placed on road transport.

The Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation WA Branch was inaugurated on May 7. There were four motions that included the formation of the branch, adopting the WARTA constitution, that Wilfred Roy Pellew be the Officer of the Branch and the election of officers: President: R J C Porter. Vice-President: B W Sharp. Secretary/Treasurer: W R Pellew. Committee: D Corley, D N Gilham, J P Cox, D G Duffield, R Heyns, P Mackie, D A Maher, R H North, H R Ramsay

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