2016-08-18 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                          18 AUGUST 2016


6    ORDINARY MEETING REPORTS


1.   FURTHER REPORT – ELECTRIC BUS LEASE UPDATE

Author            Project Manager, Planning & Infrastructure, Adam Britton
                  Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index             ECM \ Project \ TP000300
                  ECM \ Subject \ Commercial Bus Routes
                  ECM \ Subject \ Transport Levy

Attachments       Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the following reports providing updates on the progress of the electric bus trial:
A.   Report by the Project Manager to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 9
     August 2016;
B.   Further report by the Director Planning and Infrastructure to the General Committee
     Meeting dated 15 August 2016; and
C.   Further report by the Project Manager to the Ordinary Meeting dated 18 August 2016.


REPORT
At the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting on 9 August, Councillors considered a report
on progress with the electric bus trial. At that meeting and at the subsequent General Committee
Meeting on 15 August additional information was requested. The commentary presented below
represents the most up to date information available at the time of writing this report:
1.   Confirmation is still outstanding from TransLink that it agrees to jointly fund the design and
     installation of the two pad mount transformers ($142,953.28 each inc. GST). The TransLink
     decision is due to be considered by its Service Delivery Board at their meeting to be held
     on 23 August 2016.
2.   Should TransLink decide not to jointly fund the design and installation of the pad mount
     transformers, a further report will be provided on the cost implications for Council, along
     with a request for a decision on proceeding with the trial.
3.   Council continues to negotiate with Automotive Holdings Group International (Trading
     name Higer Bus and Coach) with respect to ensuring that they carry responsibility for
     maintaining the buses during the trial period. This has been verbally agreed to by Higer
     Bus & Coach, however written confirmation has not yet been received.
4.   Council has sought full costing details from TransLink for the costs of the ‘Sunbus Cost
     Model’ as identified in Table 2 of the report dated 9 August. Staff aim to scrutinise these
     costs in an effort to reduce costs to Council.
5.   A further information report will be provided to Council once all lease agreement items have
     been agreed to and the electric bus trial costs are finalised. The CEO has delegated
     authority to sign the lease agreement if he is satisfied that the remaining issues have been
     resolved and that the overall project costs remain within budget.

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