Strategic fit for public transport – programmes

Introduction

This section sets out the guidance on assessing strategic fit for programmes of existing services activities within the public transport activity class, for the 2015-18 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 .

The existing services activities within the public transport activity class incorporates:

• 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 517 – Total mobility services
• Work category 519 – Total Mobility wheelchair hoists and ramps
• Work category 521 – Total mobility wheelchair hoist use payments
• Work category 524 - Public transport information supply, operations and maintenance

For further information on Public transport programmes, including what qualifies, what is excluded and a definition, refer to the Public transport programmes section.

Links to planning

The Transport Agency requires public transport programmes to be well linked to long-term planning documents, particularly Regional Public Transport Plans (RPTPs) and Long Term Plans Plans describe the tactics to give effect to a strategy. They are specific in content, action oriented and outputs focussed, resulting in a tangible set of activities to be delivered within a clear timeframe. (LTPs).  These documents should describe the assumptions and forecasts underpinning the programme.

The forward programme and funding plan, ongoing operational costs and any major investment proposed must be derived from the RPTP A plan which specifies how the regional council intends to give effect to the public transport service components of the regional land transport plan that applies to the region. As of June 2013, the contents and management of the plan is defined by Part 5 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003. .  Approved Organisations must demonstrate how activities optimise the public transport network to ensure its effectiveness and benefit and cost appraisal.

Information provided to support public transport programmes should make reference to the relevant parts of these planning documents.

Default strategic fit

By default, and without evidence to the contrary, the strategic fit rating for an existing public transport services programme is low.

Requirements for medium rating

A public transport programme may be given a medium rating for strategic fit if, in the short to medium term,  there is a positive contribution to:

• providing access to social and economic opportunities.

Requirements for high rating

A high rating for strategic fit must only be given to a public transport programme if, in addition to meeting the criteria for “medium”, the problem, issue or opportunity is:

• severe congestion Severe congestion congestion is where the volume to capacity ratio exceeds 80% for 5 days per week over at least a 1 hour time period that affects at least 1.5 km of a route.  For information on the volume to capacity ratio, see Appendix A3 of the NZTA's Economic Evaluation Manual is where the volume to capacity ratio exceeds 100% for 5 days per week over at least 1 hour in a time period on at least 3 km of a route and the average annual daily traffic (AADT) is greater than 20,000 vehicles per day.
  For information on the volume to capacity ratio, refer to Appendix A3 of the NZTA's Economic Evaluation Manual in major urban areas Major urban areas An area within a permanent speed limit of less than or equal to 70 km/h. have the highest concentration of economic activity in employment and firms within the main urban areas Main urban areas An area within a permanent speed limit of less than or equal to 70 km/h. represent the most urbanised areas with respect to the concentration of employment, firms and population. Main urban areas are centred on a city or main urban centre. They have a minimum population of 30,000 and an above-average concentration of businesses (typically greater than 90 businesses per 1,000 population). Main urban areas are as defined by Statistics NZ.  Under these criteria the main urban areas are represented by Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier-Hastings, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Kapiti, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. The extent of the main urban areas is depicted in maps which can be found on the Statistics NZ website. . These are currently represented by the major business and employment areas within the main urban areas An area within a permanent speed limit of less than or equal to 70 km/h. of Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.  (evidenced in travel time and journey reliability measures on main corridors and arterials across the network).