The Canterbury Regional Passenger Transport Plan sets out the policy framework within which all of our public transport services operate in the region.
Overview
The Canterbury Regional Passenger Transport Plan sets out the policy framework within which all of our public transport services operate in the region and includes policies on fares, funding, vehicle and service standards, infrastructure and monitoring.
A copy of the current Canterbury Passenger Transport Plan 2006 (as amended 2008 and August 2011) can be found in the Related Documents area of this page. The Plan has been further amended by an Order in Council passed under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011. It MUST be read in conjunction with the OIC that is also listed.
Statutory Framework
The purpose of the Regional Public Transport Plan is to set out how the Regional Council intends to give effect to the public transport service components of the Regional Land Transport Strategy, and to contribute to the purpose of the Public Transport Management Act 2008 in an efficient and effective manner.
The Public Transport Management Act 2008 replaced the Transport Services Licensing Act 1989. Its purpose is to contribute to the aim of achieving an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system. The Act also renamed the document to become the Regional Public Transport Plan.
Reviewing the Regional Public Transport Plan
Under the Public Transport Management Act 2008, Environment Canterbury is required to adopt a new Regional Public Transport Plan by January 2012. The recent earthquakes have made complying with this deadline very challenging and Council is currently exploring options with the Ministry of Transport for extending the renewal timeline for Canterbury.
It is Environment Canterbury’s role under the Act to plan and administer public transport services in the region, while local councils have the responsibility for providing supportive on-street infrastructure such as bus stops, shelters and bus priority measures. As part of the review of the Regional Public Transport Plan, Environment Canterbury intends to develop a Network Plan in association with local councils, operators and key stakeholders. This will identify key public transport corridors and routes for the future which will guide our service planning and help local councils plan the infrastructure needed to support this future network.
Environment Canterbury will consult the public on a draft Regional Public Transport Plan, including a draft Network Plan, during 2012, subject to a new timeline being agreed between Council and the Ministry of Transport. If you would like more information about this process or the current Regional Passenger Transport Plan, please contact Len Fleete, Strategy Advisor - Transport on 027 549 7734 or by email at len.fleete@ecan.govt.nz