Page 1204 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2012
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(5) When two or more different routes pass through the same stop, how does ACTION ensure that routes are spaced evenly, effectively increasing frequency, for example, routes 27 and 28.
(6) How does ACTION estimate travel times of buses when preparing scheduling for timetables.
(7) How often are the estimates and schedules updated.
(8) How does ACTION identify routes that need their schedules updated.
(9) How many people does ACTION employ specifically to work on scheduling.
(10) Has ACTION engaged any external expertise to audit and/or revise scheduling; if so, what were the results.
Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The requirement for a bus driver to adhere to their timetable is specified in the ACTION Employees Handbook, which outlines the core operational obligations and responsibilities of a bus driver. This requirement is also an element of the national competencies that new bus drivers are assessed on during their nineteen day training course and their subsequent six month probation period. Qualified drivers are also subject to periodic on-road assessments by ACTION’s trainer assessor staff.
On a daily basis, ACTION’s four teams of field Transport Officers conduct random service compliance and adherence checks at a wide range of locations across Canberra. One element of these checks is designed to ensure that drivers are operating the service in accordance with the schedule. Drivers who are detected as operating a service where there is a risk of running early are held at a timing point.
(2) In accordance with their training, the Employee Handbook and ACTION’s operational principles, bus drivers are not permitted to commence a service early or pass a timing point before the schedule time.
It is a standard operating practice for a driver to reduce speed, or, stop at locations to ensure that they do not leave bus stops earlier that the scheduled time.
ACTION periodically receives complaints or feedback from the public that a bus may have run early. These matters are referred for investigation and where the driver is found to have breached their operational obligations, they are counselled or disciplined.
(3) No.
(4) No. The obligation of drivers to operate to schedule applies to all services.
(5) If two services pass through a particular timing point, where possible, the scheduling of the services will be spaced to provide additional frequency. However, as routes 27 and 28 service different parts of Weston Creek and only overlap at Cooleman Court, improving frequencies between these two routes would not be considered. Network 12 proposes to move each of these routes by 30 minutes to improve frequencies with other routes (the 25 and the 26) which service the same suburbs.
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