❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about the Department of Transport's oversight of bus company performance, specifically regarding late or cancelled services and the discrepancy between company records and reported fines. The Minister defends the current audit procedures and explains the reasons for the discrepancy in reported late services.
AnsweredQoN 79Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to claims by the Department of Transport that it does not check bus company records on late or cancelled services, as it considers these are clearly privileged information that bus companies would want to keep to themselves. (1) Given that taxpayers are paying $115m per annum to these companies for these services, why does the Department of Transport not check the companies’ records to see if we are getting the services we pay for? (2) How does the minister explain the fact that the Perth Bus Company was fined for only 102 late or missed services from 8 July to 15 October 1999, when its own records show that more than 2 000 services ran behind time during that period? Mr COWAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(1) Given that taxpayers are paying $115m per annum to these companies for these services, why does the Department of Transport not check the companies’ records to see if we are getting the services we pay for? (2) How does the minister explain the fact that the Perth Bus Company was fined for only 102 late or missed services from 8 July to 15 October 1999, when its own records show that more than 2 000 services ran behind time during that period? Mr COWAN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(2) How does the minister explain the fact that the Perth Bus Company was fined for only 102 late or missed services from 8 July to 15 October 1999, when its own records show that more than 2 000 services ran behind time during that period? Mr COWAN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
Mr COWAN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(1) Given that taxpayers are paying $115m per annum to these companies for these services, why does the Department of Transport not check the companies’ records to see if we are getting the services we pay for? (2) How does the minister explain the fact that the Perth Bus Company was fined for only 102 late or missed services from 8 July to 15 October 1999, when its own records show that more than 2 000 services ran behind time during that period? Mr COWAN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(2) How does the minister explain the fact that the Perth Bus Company was fined for only 102 late or missed services from 8 July to 15 October 1999, when its own records show that more than 2 000 services ran behind time during that period? Mr COWAN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
Mr COWAN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, which allowed the Minister for Transport to provide the following written response - (1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(1) The Department of Transport is satisfied that its existing procedures for checking the on-time running and reliability of bus services are adequate. This involves an audit team that checks on the reliability of bus services. This audit process is discussed in the recent Auditor General’s report, No 6 of June 2000, which was tabled in this House. In addition to the audit process of bus service reliability, conducted by the Department of Transport, members of the public are encouraged to comment on any positive or negative issues concerning public transport services. This process has been very beneficial and is a key feature of the award winning Transperth customer information service. (2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
(2) The Perth Bus Company was penalised for the number of bus reliability failures that were considered to be correctly identified and within the company’s control. On occasions, late running of buses occurs due to traffic delays, vehicle accidents or unusual occurrences. When these factors have clearly caused late running, allowance is made and the company is not penalised. Since the bus services have been contracted out, there has been a far greater degree of scrutiny of bus reliability, which has led to significant improvements in the system. That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
That answer from the Minister for Transport indicates to the member for Armadale that this issue needs to be placed in context. The issue in question was raised because a journalist from The West Australian indicated he had received internal company documents belonging to the Perth Bus Company. It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
It was claimed that these documents indicated the degree of late running by a number of buses. Obviously, any private company will record a number of events and activities occurring within its business, particularly if those records can be used over time to improve the services it offers.
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