Chapter 1 - First Order of Business

Identifying the main issues to be considered and to determine what will be the critical concerns.

Chapter 2

Ensuring that there is an appropriate National Transport Policy in place and that this policy is in tandem with other relevant Government/National Policies. Issues such as ensuring that there is a clear understanding of what the transportation problem to be solved is, defining what will constitute "success" , and establishing targets and agreeing how thy will be measured are addressed. The issues of Sustainability and Smart Growth along with Economic and Social factors are reviewed with the conclusion that Public Transport must be a # 1 Policy priority and this policy must be translated into specific short term, medium term and long term plans.

The importance of training in the development process is highlighted and the need to conduct a training survey among all the stakeholders to establish training need.

Chapter 3

No plan will be effective if the necessary legislative framework back by an appropriate enforcement strategy is not in place. Issues to be addressed include the establishment of a dedicated enforcement body suitably equipped and sufficiently independent of Government control.

Chapter 4

Planners must have knowledge of the cost elements of bus operations to ensure that the type of system developed and the service to be offered is sustainable.

Chapter 5

Privatization is the current economic buzzword however, it is necessary that the different types of ownership and management structure be completely understood to determine, based on the local environment, what is currently feasible and what structure should the system eventually develop into and over what time frame.

Chapter 6

Bus operations like any other business if not operated efficiently without a deficit will go bankrupt. Issues of funding and how fare levels are established must be agreed to by all parties involved up front. Issues such as fare review cycles and what can trigger a fare review outside of the agreed cycle; must also be agreed to.

Chapter 7

Research has shown that many transportation projects are not effectively implemented due to issues not related to the technical veracity of the project. Implementers must therefore consider these no-technical issues seriously and develop strategies to overcome them.

Chapter 8

The type of infrastructure employed will have by far the greatest single effect on the operational efficiency of the bus system. Infrastructure considerations are not limited to the operation of the buses, but equally important are the facilities provided for the pedestrians.

Chapter 9

Attracting passengers to the bus system must be a major priority and therefore adequate facilities must be provided for the passengers. The types and quantities of passenger facilities required must be determined and an implementation plan developed.

Chapter 10

Detailed accurate planning can only be achieved if detailed accurate data is available. A bus service will only be successful if it meet the needs o the commuters (not the planners). The number and types of buses, bus depots and service quality must be determined by the requirements of the commuters.

Chapter 11

Advances in fare collection technology, creates many fare collection systems options. The type of fare strategy employed (usually a political contentious issue) will also help in the selection process. Determining how service providers will be paid for the service provide can also have far reaching effects on how the overall system is developed.

Chapter 12

The support systems chosen must be dependent on the ability to support these systems. Avoid the seductive efforts of vendors to procure technology that is not yet supported locally, not yet required or just too sophisticated for local requirements. Without an adequate public education (PE) and public relations (PR) programme, a new system will fail to achieve its full potential. The PE & PR programme to be developed must be based on the current status of the system and the challenges identified in moving to the new system.

Chapter 13

Having established all the requirements of the system, the detailed specifications for the types of buses to be employed can now be finalised. Do not put the cart before the horse by first choosing the bus then developing the system.

Chapter 14

There will be changes in personnel and government policies which can have a profound effect on the initial agreements reached in respect of the operations of the bus company. To protect al parties involved, it is absolutely necessary that all details of the agreement are the subject of a proper operating contract. This contract should clearly spell out the consequences and cost for changing o modifying any of the original agreements.

Chapter 15

Through the development process, the commuting public should be constantly kept abreast of all developments. This should culminate in the publication of a customer charter which clearly spells out the benefits of the improved operations and what compensation is available to the customer when service is below agreed level.

Chapter 16

A detailed implementation plan is absolutely essential, however it should be realistic based on the resources that will be mad available. Attempts to change the implementation plan, without commensurate changes in the resources available should be strongly resisted.