Transport success at CHOGM
Since Transit Systems, operating as Swan Transit in Western Australian, was awarded the eight year Marmion contract in late 2010, every single route has been revised to make the public transport process easier for passengers, in addition to a new route being launched.
After a seamless operational transition, Transit Systems worked in cooperation with TransPerth to recently launch a new route to the bus service, route 451, which connects Greenwood Train Station and Kingsway Shopping Centre.
Transit Systems CEO Clint Feuerherdt said WA Minister for Transport Troy Buswell attended the launch of the new route, which sees passengers enjoy a direct route to the Joondalup line along Hepburn Avenue.
Andrea Ruth Mitchell, local MP, also attended the launch and Mr Feuerherdt said Transit Systems are proud to be enhancing the community’s access to public transport.
“Since we have been operating the Marion contract, we have achieved an impressive increase, quarter on quarter, in passenger usage.
“We have been systematic in our dedication to review each and every route to ensure we are offering the most effective and efficient public transport means to our passengers.
“The new 451 route is the successful outcome of our experience and commitment coming together to provide a better community service,” he said.
Transit Systems have a successful history of designing and developing efficient transport services, which now includes bus and ferry operations across Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia, while they have also been shortlisted as one of the final three companies in the Sydney Ferries privatisation tender.
With unrivalled experience in the transport sector, Director of Transit Systems, Neil Smith also sat on the panel for the Perth 2030 Vision, as the sole representative of transport in Australia.
Transit Systems is a privately owned company and a leading provider of public transport services employing over 1650 staff and transporting approximately 72 million passengers annually.
The Australian company has an exceptional reputation in the transport provider industry, developing and delivering effective transport systems, procuring vessels and overseeing delivery, maintenance and ongoing operations.
On water, they currently operate and maintain Stradbroke Ferries, Gladstone Ferries, Bay Islands Transit in Moreton Bay, in addition to the Big Red Cat, which recently won the Moreton Bay and Islands Tourism Award for Major Transport Operator for the second consecutive year.
On land, they manage and maintain metropolitan bus services including Swan Transit in Western Australia and Torrens Transit in South Australia.
They are also responsible for a $50 million ferry fleet in northern Queensland, providing transportation to LNG projects on Curtis Island, which includes the recent launch of a world first Paramedic ferry
In October 2011, Perth hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and it presented two challenging tasks for Swan Transit prior to and during the event.
Normal operating routes had to be carefully reviewed and restructured to maintain transport efficiency for passengers, due to various road closures and diversions, while Swan Transit were also responsible for the movement of over 1200+ interstate and regional police, who were critical to the security and success of CHOGM.
With strategic forward planning, Swan Transit very effectively and efficiently managed both tasks without any issues or dramas and were acknowledged and praised by the Public Transport Authority (PTA) for smooth operations in both passenger and police transport.
If we need more proof of the talent of Transit Systems young employees then apprentice Ben Offringa has delivered. Ben, from the North Fremantle depot, was awarded runner up 2nd place for Heavy Vehicle Mechanics at the MITA (Motor Industry Training Association) Apprentice of the Year Awards held on the 11th March 2011. This follows on from a Shenton Park mechanic apprentice who won a 3rd place for the same award two years ago. Congratulations to Ben from the Transit Systems team.
Swan Transit executed a near seamless transition as it took over the bus services of the Marmion contract over the weekend of the 30th April from the previous operator. The Public Transport Authority of Western Australian (PTA) recently awarded the tendered Marmion contract to Swan Transit, a subsidiary of the Transit Systems Group, meaning Swan Transit now operates 47% of Perth’s bus network. The contract covers 5.35M service km using 119 buses along the north coast of Perth. It extends north to Hillary’s Boat Harbour and Whitfords Station, and Wanneroo Rd to the East. The area adjoins Swan Transit’s Claremont contract to the South and will offer synergies with Swan’s current services. The Marmion contract will be operated from a depot in Karrinyup and will expire in 2019.
“We are very honoured and humbled that the PTA has recognised our service to the people of Perth in providing a high quality public transport system over the years. It is a credit to our very dedicated staff that work diligently to ensure we provide the best services to our customers and the community. We will continue to work closely with the PTA to deliver world class transport systems.” said Brian Thompson, Area Manager for Swan Transit.
Company management made themselves available to support the transition over the weekend. “I was very impressed by the effort put forward by everybody and especially some of the workshop and operations managers who put in some extremely long days,” remarked Brian.
“Feedback from the new staff has also been very positive as they familiarise themselves to working in the unique Swan Transit culture”, added Brian. “Swan is very big on the customer coming first at all costs.”
This culture was put to the test when an incident involving a refueling barge hit the Fremantle rail bridge causing damage and stopping all trains between the Claremont showground’s and Fremantle. As well as implementing a smooth Karrinyup transition Swan Transit were called upon by the PTA to assist by supplying train replacement buses to stranded rail passengers.
Brian noted “This replacement work on the second day of a new contract required significant sacrifice by most of our staff to ensure the people of Perth were not inconvenienced. Everyone at Swan had to put in a huge week to cover. It is often a thankless job, but I am very proud of the sacrifices so many of our staff made, even those that have only been with us for a few days, to ensure the people of Perth were kept moving this last week. Swan has a great culture and it is times like these you can see its real value. The PTA have expressed they were very pleased with our efforts this week.”
In October 2011, Perth hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and it presented two challenging tasks for Swan Transit prior to and during the event.
Normal operating routes had to be carefully reviewed and restructured to maintain transport efficiency for passengers, due to various road closures and diversions, while Swan Transit were also responsible for the movement of over 1200+ interstate and regional police, who were critical to the security and success of CHOGM.
With strategic forward planning, Swan Transit very effectively and efficiently managed both tasks without any issues or dramas and were acknowledged and praised by the Public Transport Authority (PTA) for smooth operations in both passenger and police transport.
