Public and Active Transport Committee 9 August 2023 – Agenda

Context: This 69-page agenda for ORC's Public and Active Transport Committee meeting of 9 August 2023 in Dunedin lists twelve councillor members, with Cr Alexa Forbes and Cr Andrew Noone as co-chairs, and Richard Saunders (Chief Executive) as senior officer (p.1). It contains draft minutes of 10 May 2023, the actions register and six reports (pp.2–69). Dunedin-only items (fares and frequency business case 8.4, Mosgiel Express) are not summarised here.

Minutes of 10 May 2023: Resolution PAT23-108 noted the QPTBC update and 'that public consultation on the Queenstown Public Transport Business Case will occur at a later stage' (p.5). The interim Chief Executive said challenging KPIs should be set for public and active transport and urged that the LTP be informed by this work (p.5). PAT23-110 asked staff to progress a staged regional connectivity strategy, with scoping by 20 August 2023 (p.6).

8.1 Operating environment (OPS2328): Notes the delayed draft GPS, RLTP mid-term review due by April 2024, and that Waka Kotahi asked Approved Organisations to put forward activities 'agnostic' of funding for the 2024–27 NLTP (pp.9–10). Queenstown youth stored-value fares were adjusted to $1.50 (pp.11–12). The Route 5 extension to Lake Hayes Estate, agreed in 2020 but delayed by COVID and driver shortages, starts 4 September 2023 at $151,285.80 + GST a year (indexed $187,529.90), with a 51% Waka Kotahi contribution (pp.13–14). The attached Joint Otago Southland RTC update covers the RLTP review, VKT targets and an Arataki presentation (pp.16–19). Recommendation: note.

8.2 Advisory groups (OPS2334): One governance-level advisory group meeting with QLDC has been held; for ORC/QLDC 'the focus is on reducing car congestion issues (especially in CBD, Frankton Rd, Ladies mile, BP roundabout)' (p.21). Both councils have constrained capital budgets and Queenstown is a Waka Kotahi 'Tier 2' centre (p.21). Recommendation: note.

8.3 Patronage (OPS2330): Queenstown bus patronage 2022/23 was 1,252,982, up 55% on 2021/22 but 15% below 2018/19; full timetables returned on 1 June 2023 and June was 7% above 2018/19 (pp.23, 28). Ferry patronage was 104,240, up 74%, with fare revenue up 244% (pp.23, 30). Recommendation: note.

8.5 Queenstown Public Transport Services Business Case update (OPS2331): A long list was assessed by multicriteria analysis with Way2Go partners; a short list of three options was agreed, including 'Bus Max' and a 'spine corridor from Jacks Point to Queenstown Town Centre route, connecting with other services at the Frankton Hub', with sensitivity tests of an Arrowtown–Malaghans Road route and a new Kawarau River bridge to Remarkables Park; bi-articulated buses were assessed (pp.39–40). Reference case assumptions were reset for changed NZUP timing (p.40). The report states benefits depend on 'a whole package' including 'pricing and availability of parking', and that 'the provision of more frequent and higher capacity services cannot deliver the whole intent of mode-shift' (p.40). Risks: NZUP may not be fully deliverable within its funding envelope or through the NLTF amid 'significant funding constraints for the next National Land Transport Programme'; SH6A bus priority (virtual priority at signals, pedestrian access) needs funding; Fernhill and Sunshine Bay reliability needs bus priority or reduced traffic on Lake Esplanade and Shotover Street (p.41). The contract value is $963,852.00 (p.41). The draft business case moves to Q4 2023; next steps include the strategic case, indicative costings for LTP and RLTP, the emerging preferred option and consultation (p.42). Recommendations: note the report and note the Q4 2023 delivery (p.39).

8.6 Connectivity Strategy (OPS2332): A regional strategy comprising a mode shift plan, active travel strategy, new RPTP and prioritised delivery plan, over 9–12 months (pp.43–44). Recommendations: note; endorse the approach and project plan; approve a 'hybrid approach' to resourcing; note ongoing expenditure subject to LTP; receive updates (p.44).

Mass rapid transit: The agenda says nothing about mass rapid transit. The QPTBC short list is bus-based (Bus Max and a bus spine via Frankton), and 'higher capacity services' refers to buses (p.40).