The Victorian Road Based Public Transport Advisory Council (VRBPTAC) provides advice to VicRoads on matters relating to the management of roads for trams, buses and taxis. Council meets four times a year and the meetings are chaired by VicRoads Chief Executive. VicRoads provides secretarial services and other support to VRBPTAC.
The VRBPTAC’s membership includes representatives from the State Government (VicRoads, DoT, DPCD, and Victoria Police), public transport operators (tram, bus and taxi), local government, unions, RACV, Monash University and public transport users.
The purpose of the VRBPTAC is to provide advice to VicRoads on the needs of road-based public transport in the development, planning, regulation, design and operation of the road and traffic network in Victoria and with particular reference to:
- government strategies, road transport efficiency, road safety, community and environmental issues, performance standards and international best practice
- understanding the road and traffic factors that affect public transport performance
- solving strategic, policy or practical issues to facilitate public transport services
- designing roads and traffic systems that support on-road public transport
- developing beneficial and practical projects
- improving coordination and cooperation between key stakeholders
- developing and creating appropriate training for those involved in the planning and design of road based public transport.
In the area of on-road priority for trams and buses, the following Advisory Council recommendations have been acted on:
- rollout of Give Way to Bus posters on buses across the network to raise awareness of motorists’ obligation when driving with buses
- guidelines have been developed on the location of bus bays, limiting their use to where they provide benefits to passengers and motorists but avoid delays to buses re-entering the traffic stream
- use of red pavement for bus lanes and tram conflict points
- treatments to promote safety and priority for trams at roundabouts
- a review of traffic signal priority practices, and investigations on how these can be improved.
In the area of bus and tram stops and taxi ranks, the Advisory Council has:
- provided input to bus stop guidelines
- initiated drafting of guidelines for the design and operation of taxi ranks
- initiated trials to allow taxis to drop off and pick up passengers on the departure side of intersection at selected sites in the City of Melbourne.
The Advisory Council has provided input in the development of SmartRoads, a new approach to managing the road network that makes it more efficient and safe, and supports the development of a sustainable transport system.
Mr Gary Liddle - VicRoads (Chairperson)
Mr Robert Freemantle - VicRoads
Mr Stephen Davis - Bus Association Victoria
Ms Patricia Malowney - Community member
Ms Mia Davison - Department of Planning and Community Development
Cr Ann Fraser - Eastern Transport Coalition
Mr Peter Flanagan - Environment Victoria
Dr Michael Kennedy OAM - Interface Councils
Mr Anton Mayer - LeadWest
Prof. Graham Currie - Monash University
Cr Cathy Oke - Municipal Association of Victoria
Mr Ray Kinnear - Public Transport Victoria
Ms Thanuja Gunatillake - RACV
Mr Mark Teasdale - Rail, Tram and Bus Union
Mr John Picone - Transport Workers Union
Mr Andrew Cornwall - Ventura Bus Lines
Mr Jieh-Yung Lo - Victorian Local Governance Association
Supt Christopher O’Neill - Victoria Police
Mr Neil Sach - Victorian Taxi Association
Mr Michel Masson- Yarra Trams