Executive Update

SMS Framework | School Bus Service | Service SA | I.R. | Membership

BusSA SMS Framework Launch – Friday 11 October

BusSA will launch our voluntary Safety Management System (SMS) Framework (in the absence of a State based Accreditation Regime) to support members and other bus and coach operators enhance their safety systems where needed, associated with the NHVL Chain of Responsibility and SMS Framework requirements at an event to be held from 10am-2.30pm, Friday 11 October at the Adelaide Pavilion.

The SMS Framework will feature a practical Management Information System and Maintenance Management System comprising associated policy and control/record keeping templates plus supporting references. 

The SMS Framework launch event will provide insight from industry leaders from the BusSA Board, NHVR, Department for Education and Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

The SMS Framework and launch event are included in BusSA membership and is also open to non-members. We welcome all bus and coach operators to join BusSA.

Please see SMS Framework and Launch Event details here.

Please see BusSA membership details here and below.  

School Bus Services

The BusSA School Bus Service Committee held an open meeting with all BusSA members on 30 July to gain further input and feedback to progress our next stage of preparation for the upcoming contract tender process. We sincerely appreciate the time and views of all who attended.

At the meeting we discussed and finalised details of our upcoming member survey to understand members views and preferences which we will then consolidate and further discuss together to determine our shared positions to best inform the process and advocate to the Department for Education.

The survey will be sent out this week and includes questions on:

1. The status of member’s current fleet, including in relation to the 25 year age limit and maintenance costs
2. Considering above, understand member’s view on requirements for a new bus, including bus and safety specifications to be recommended for the upcoming tender process
3. Understanding new, non-traditional costs of running a school bus service

The Department for Education have also advised that they will also hold their next Working Group meeting in the coming weeks to provide an update, seek feedback and finalise The Driver Requirements and Student Behaviour – Code of Conduct documents. 

Service SA

Since the closure of The Service SA  Accreditation & Licensing Centre at Mile End in July, BusSA has been monitoring services and providing member feedback to various Government representatives to progress Driver and Operator Accreditation services and outcomes for members and the wider industry. 

I’ve maintained regular and open dialogue with SAPTA, Service SA and the Minister’s office to best ensure the continuation of expected service standards for driver and operator accreditation, which has seen Accreditation and Licencing subject matter experts reallocated to other suburban services centres and staff in all centres further trained and upskilled. 

Operators and your teams can visit any Service SA Centre across the state to complete  passenger transport transactions.    
 
Service SA Management have also been open to assisting BusSA members directly with any complex matter or DA delay issues, I have received positive feedback from members on the outcomes from this direct assistance.

Please contact me should you have any feedback or issues regarding Operator & Driver Accreditation or Inspection matters.

APTIA Update – Industrial Relations highlights

• The BIC/APTIA Recruitment and Rentention Project was launched in Canberra on July 4; The Riding on the Same Bus – Policy Manifesto and Riding on the Same Bus – Workplace Culture Toolkit, Operator Guidlines can be found here 
• Following the introduction of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing the Loopholes No2) Act 2024 early this year various changes to industrial relations laws were due to be introduced from 26 August 2024.
• APTIA’S Submission to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations re financial incentives by employing bus drivers to participate in traineeships.
• Guidance on the significant changes with the way casuals are employed from August 26.

The Everybody Out July Edition has been sent to members with full detail on the above plus more.

BusSA Membership

BusSA provides a platform to deliver advocacy, support and connections for our members and to unite the industry.

Over the past few months I’ve continued to hold numerous visits and meetings with members and various non-members (school bus contract and tour/charter operators) to discuss their issues, aims and how BusSA can provide support and shape our future work to meet their bus and coach business needs.

I’m pleased to advise that our membership is growing including school bus service contractors as well as tour/charter operators for which we have now introduced a 2nd tier membership schedule.

Please see BusSA membership details here. 

As always, I encourage you to please contact me with any feedback or queries on these or any other matters impacting your bus and coach operations.

Regards 

Craig Spurr
Executive Director
E: cspurr@bussa.asn.au
M: 0433 553 875

500 not out: Scania celebrates ready-built bus milestone 

Scania has delivered more than 500 fully built-up charter and school buses to operators around Australia since the start of sales of Higer-bodied Scania vehicles in 2010.
 
“This is a significant milestone for Scania bus and coach in Australia, underlining the success of the Scania-Higer A30 and the Scania Touring school and charter buses,” says Julian Gurney, Director of Sales for Scania Bus and Power Solutions.
 
“Scania is Australia’s most successful European original equipment manufacturer, delivering the most fully imported buses sourced from a mass-production factory in the region. Thanks to the successful relationship with our global bodybuilding partner, Higer, we now have more than 500 vehicles on the road in Australia.
 
“Scania’s offer of a high-quality body, built on a dedicated assembly line under the watchful gaze of Scania engineers and quality assurance teams, employing the latest Scania active and passive safety and fuel-efficient technology, provides a recipe for success that really is unbeatable,” he says.

Find out more here:
https://www.scania.com/au/en/home/about-scania/newsroom/news/2024/500-not-out–scania-celebrates-ready-built-bus-milestone.html

“An Each Way Bet, or just Good Business”

Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) CEO Neil Wang decided 4 years ago that both BEV and FCEV buses had a bright future in Australia. future in Australia.                                                    
Given the vast distances and grid capacity differentials across the Country, Neil felt there needed to be a choice of zero emissions propulsion in the Heavy Transport sector.

As a result FMD is working hard to provide that choice, and is currently the leading supplier of zero emissions commercial transport options in Australia*.

*includes Light Duty EV trucks and vans.

Find out more about FMD’s solutions and service here.