NEWS
SYDNEY ‘REGION 8’ BUS TENDER OPEN THE TENDER for Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the Lower North Shore bus contract – Region 8 – is now officially open, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has announced. The “competitive tender process” for operating Region 8 bus services is an opportunity for leading transport operators from both Australia and overseas to demonstrate how they will deliver improved services to customers on behalf of the NSW government, TfNSW explains. “We’re looking for an operator to deliver new and innovative services for our customers on the North Shore and Northern Beaches. This will mean more frequent and convenient services throughout the day, including turn-up-and-go and on-demand routes,” said Elizabeth Mildwater, deputy secretary – Greater Sydney, at TfNSW. “We’re also looking for operators to show us how they can help the government transition to zero-emission buses, and improve 8
real-time information that will help customers to better plan their journeys and connect with other transport modes,” Mildwater added. The start of the competitive tender process in Region 8 follows several months of market sounding late 2019 and earlier this year. It will close on September 30, 2020, with the transition to the new operator expected during the final quarter of 2021, TfNSW explains.
“All operational staff, including bus drivers and maintenance staff, will have the opportunity to transfer to the new operator.”
ASSETS KEPT As part of the franchising process, the NSW government will maintain control of routes, fares, assets such as buses and the existing depots at North Sydney, Brookvale and Mona Vale, it says. “All operational staff, including bus drivers and maintenance staff, will have the opportunity to transfer to the new operator with a two-year job guarantee on the same award terms and conditions,” said Mildwater. “Every effort will be made to
Above: As part of the franchising process, the NSW government will maintain control of routes, fares, assets such as buses and the existing depots at North Sydney, Brookvale and Mona Vale, it says.
find roles for non-operational award employees before services change hands to the new operator, either with the new operator or within the public sector,” she added. Prospective tenderers can register to participate by visiting the NSW government’s eTenders website. The competitive tender process for the two other regions currently operated by State Transit – Region 7 in Sydney’s north and Region 9 in Sydney’s east – are currently planned to open in August and November 2020, respectively.
ABC July 2020 busnews.com.au
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