This paper draws on experience from operating regional coach services in Tasmania. Coach operators have "zero tolerance" of serious accidents, particularly those which involve any passenger injury or fatality for a variety of reasons, regulatory, economic, and pragmatic. There are several components which must be addressed in achieving safe operations, not all of which are in the direct control of the operator. The paper addresses each of the components involved in safe operation; those under the operator's control including: (1) vehicle selection; (2) vehicle maintenance systems; (3) driver fatigue management; (4) economic constraints - what is affordable; as well as those issues over which the operator has little or no control, including: (1) Government regional passenger transport support policies; (2) road infrastructure; (3) accreditation standards, implementation and audit; (4) Government responsibility for "vehicle audit" standards. In general the paper concludes that shared responsibility calls for effective consultation and co-operation, and an appropriate level of investment by both operator and Government, with some specific illustrations. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E205861.
Abstract