2021 Melbourne bus retendering

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PaxInfo
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2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by PaxInfo »

Those signed up to receive information on Victorian government tenders will have received advice that the DoT will be retendering the Metropolitan Bus Franchise that delivers around 30% of Melbourne's bus services.

An industry briefing session will be held later this month (date to be advised).

There will be an expression of interest notice on the Buying for Victoria website.
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by BAMBAM »

Is it safe to say Transdev will not retain its contract, as they operate 30% of Melbourne bus services and its horror run of where they needed other companies to help them have cost them their contract?
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by Linto63 »

BAMBAM wrote: Is it safe to say Transdev will not retain its contract, as they operate 30% of Melbourne bus services and its horror run of where they needed other companies to help them have cost them their contract?
Given that it wasn't deemed serious enough to terminate the contract, Transdev will probably be in with a chance. Although the problems encountered will have to weigh against it somewhere in the process.
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by Heihachi_73 »

Who would take over if Transdev was kicked out? If it was swallowed whole by one operator like Ventura they would become absolutely huge unless the Transdev depots were split up. For example, I could imagine Ventura gaining Heatherton and Doncaster depots (which they already had until Transdev took over - Heatherton depot was Keysborough back then), but not the western ones.
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by PaxInfo »

There are several possibilities, though it's too early to tell.

In the last 10 years both CDC and Transit Systems have established large enough presences in Melbourne to be considered credible operators should they wish to put in.

KDR, who runs Yarra Trams, unsuccessfully bid last time. They operate buses elsewhere in Australia.

BusVic has been a critic of franchising to overseas operators. They may potentially back a syndicate from established local operators.

Or some of the larger of the latter might go it alone or with other operators. Eg during a previous franchising Melbourne Bus Link was a combination of Reservoir and Dysons.
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by PaxInfo »

Blog post on the refranchising here: https://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com ... -part.html

Note that it's very early days and we don't yet know how and where the new contract will be different to that Transdev operates under.
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by PaxInfo »

The next stage, as advised on the Tenders website, will be an industry briefing on September 23 at 12am (sic). Tenders close 19 October. The site has also been updated with substantial background information on the existing services and what's needed. There is also a description of existing operations (run by Transdev).

There will be a review of bus services in Manningham (Doncaster and Balwyn) and Whitehorse (Box Hill/Mitcham) as part of the North East Link and associated Busway with new Park & Rides. The state will have primary responsibility for service planning but the operator can propose ideas.
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by Bus Suggestions »

PaxInfo wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:13 amThere will be a review of bus services in Manningham (Doncaster and Balwyn) and Whitehorse (Box Hill/Mitcham) as part of the North East Link and associated Busway with new Park & Rides. The state will have primary responsibility for service planning but the operator can propose ideas.
As it always should be. For a state-wide integrated transport network, the state should always do the planning, not the operators. However, operators should definitely have some say in those changes. Next up for PTV is the learning curve that service reviews should not just be tied in with new infrastructure projects, but be part of a continuous review process where little patches of bus network are looked at and changed over a few years.
I'd post any important, bus-related links I had, but they're outdated anyways.
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by MotorOmnibus8562 »

Bus Suggestions wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:34 am As it always should be. For a state-wide integrated transport network, the state should always do the planning, not the operators. However, operators should definitely have some say in those changes.
What about in regional areas where governments don't focus much of their attention towards like Albury/Wodonga for example, the network hasn't had a major upgrade in years
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Re: 2021 Melbourne bus retendering

Post by Merc1107 »

MotorOmnibus8562 wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 12:47 pm
Bus Suggestions wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:34 am As it always should be. For a state-wide integrated transport network, the state should always do the planning, not the operators. However, operators should definitely have some say in those changes.
What about in regional areas where governments don't focus much of their attention towards like Albury/Wodonga for example, the network hasn't had a major upgrade in years
This perhaps does highlight a potential flaw with the State having greater control of the planning process. The overseeing body not only has to incentivise innovation from the contractor, but have to be innovative themselves... Naturally that brings up the age-old debacle about 'the inefficiencies of the state' and how to hold them to account.
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