Public transport improvements

Introduction

Public transport improvements comprise all public transport infrastructure projects and new public transport services and operations that fall outside the definition of a Public transport programme, i.e. activities that are separate and in addition to the Public transport programme, although the same work categories may still apply.

Such activities must be treated as improvement projects and identified separately to the public transport programme in the Approved Organisation’s proposal for inclusion in the National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. (NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied ) or for funding approval.

Qualifying work categories

Service and operational improvements can be carried out under the following work categories, as standalone activities, separately identified and funded:

• Work category 511 – Bus services
• Work category 512 – Passenger ferry services
• Work category 515 – Passenger rail services
• Work category 514 – Public transport facilities operations and maintenance
• Work category 524 - Public transport information supply, operations and maintenance

If the qualifying work is related to infrastructure improvements:

• Work category 531 - Public transport infrastructure, major renewals and minor improvements

For further detail on these work categories refer to the links provided above.

Exclusions

Activities excluded as improvement activities include:

• Work category 517 – Total mobility services
• Work category 519 – Total Mobility wheelchair hoists and ramps
• Work category 521 – Total mobility wheelchair hoist use payments

Definition of Public transport service improvements

Service and operational public transport improvements are:

• activities under the services and operations work categories listed above that are expected to result in an increase in the annualised cost of the approved Public transport programme in place in the financial year immediately prior to the first year of the NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied under development.

And could include:

• new services or reconfigurations within a network resulting in additional funding required per annum to provide the total level of service, or
• variations in public transport units, which will impact the total cost provision, and increase both the total annualised cost and the level of services being provided to a specific activity, i.e. where no cost savings are instigated in other parts of the network to keep expenditure within the existing allocation provision.

Examples of service improvement applications include:

• small scale new services or service trials with a whole of life cost of up to $300,000 can be treated as minor improvements under Work category 531: Public transport infrastructure, major renewals and minor improvements,
• new services or service variations that will result in a cost increase to the programme of less than $5M whole of life cost, (these can use the simplified procedures in the Economic Evaluation Manual for benefit and cost appraisal and be supported by a fit for purpose business case),
• new services or service variations that will result in a cost impact to the programme over $5M whole of life cost, which will require application of full benefit and cost apraisal procedures in the Economic Evaluation Manual, and must include a business case and risk assessment related to the improvement(s) being intiated,
• public transport initiatives in addition to the services themselves, e.g. marketing, minor on-street A road within an urban locality. infrastructure, terminal upgrades, park and ride facilities, improved access via walking or cycling, etc.  These should all form part of the packaged application (i.e. where there is interdependency across activities seeking additional funding).  For further information on programme packages refer to Programme Business Case.

Any proposed Public transport improvement must demonstrate of how it will add value to the existing network.

Public transport service improvements use the same work categories as the public transport programme, but the activities need to be identified and submitted as separate improvement projects in Transport Investment Online.

Definition of Public transport infrastructure

Public transport infrastructure can either be major or minor, dependent on the total cost of the infrastructure.   Any proposal with a cost in excess of $300,000 over the whole life of the activity needs to be the subject of a separate application supported by full justification, including a business case and benefit and cost appraisal.

Activities, which cost $300,000 or less over the whole life of the activty, should be proposed for inclusion in the NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied or for funding approval as part of public transport minor improvements.

Both major and minor infrastructure improvements, as well as like for like replacement/renewal of facilities and infrastructure totalling more than $5 million, are funded under:

• Work category 531: Public transport major renewals and minor improvements

Any proposals under this work category A type of activity – not confined to a particular activity class, e.g. new roads (work category 323) appears in:

* activity class 12 – local road improvements
* activity class 13 – state highways improvements are improvement projects and must be submitted as such in Transport Investment Online for consideration for inclusion in a Regional Land Transport Plan and the NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied .

Public transport minor improvements

Public transport minor improvements are funded under Work Category 531 with the same funding assistance rate as all other activities in this work category A type of activity – not confined to a particular activity class, e.g. new roads (work category 323) appears in:

* activity class 12 – local road improvements
* activity class 13 – state highways improvements . 

The Knowledge Base contains more detailed information and guidance on public transport minor improvements.