Passenger Transport Legislation Review
Introduction
Passenger Transport is a valuable element of Tasmania's transport system with a vital role to play in meeting the essential travel needs of the community.
The Government is committed to continually improving passenger transport services and wants to ensure that the current Passenger Transport Act best supports the management of public passenger transport services in Tasmania.
To ensure the regulatory framework achieves this aim the Government has announced the commencement of a review of the following legislation:
- Passenger Transport Act 1997;
- Passenger Transport Regulations 2000;
- Passenger Transport (Review of Decisions) Regulations 2000; and
- Relevant consequential impacts on other associated legislation.
Review Purpose
The purpose of this project is to review, develop and then implement a contemporary regulatory framework to support the safe, sustainable and affordable delivery of public passenger transport services.
Passenger Transport Services Affected
Passenger transport services affected by the review of the legislation are those delivered by:
- Regular passenger transport services - both government subsidised, i.e. core passenger services and private bus services;
- Tour and Charter Services;
- Hire and Drive Vehicles;
- Taxis and Luxury Hire Car services (NB: the Passenger Transport Act only covers accreditation of operators not licensing and operational matters which are dealt with by the Taxi and Luxury Hire Car Industries Act 2008); and
- Other miscellaneous services that come under the ambit of the Passenger Transport Act 1997.
Passenger Transport Services not Affected
The review does not cover passenger transport services delivered by the 'community' (or the not-for-profit) sector which is the subject of another review in progress. The Metro Tasmania Act 1997 and the Taxi and Luxury Hire Car Industries Act 2008 are not part of the review.
What is being reviewed?
The main focus is to establish where the current legal framework could be improved and then to implement any changes required.
The following matters will be addressed by the review:
- Definitional Issues, including definitions of service types, the concept of reward, etc;
- Clarification of the objectives of the legislation;
- Accreditation (all passenger transport services including taxis);
- Tendering and contestability;
- Offences and penalties;
- Authorisation and determination of passenger transport services;
- Powers and functions of the Transport Commission in relation to passenger transport; and
- Relevant issues raised by stakeholders.
Who do we want to hear from?
If you are a passenger transport operator, driver or user (passenger) of these services, or another road user or member of the community with an interest in this area, we would like to know what you think.
Next Steps
The general information paper will provide you with additional information about the review.
The closing date for submissions is Friday 27 March 2009.
Following this initial response from stakeholders a more detailed position paper will be prepared with proposals for change. It is hoped to release this paper by June 2009.
Information Paper (PDF, 97.1KB)
Response
Your response or submission can be sent to:
Project Manager
Passenger Transport Legislation Review
Passenger Transport Policy
DIER
GPO Box 936
Hobart TAS 7001
Or by email to:
frank.vanravels@dier.tas.gov.au
Or you can contact Frank for further information on 62333165.
