Transdev’s efforts to introduce more zero emissions technologies into its operations have been acknowledged at the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Global Awards with the company being recognised as a Finalist in the Sustainability category.
The Awards, held in Dubai on 6 February, are designed to recognise the most innovative, ambitious and solution-driven projects from the public transport sector.
In 2021, the company took significant steps forward to decarbonise its operations across Australia and New Zealand, introducing new electric and hydrogen powered fleet and driving down emissions through highly advanced telematics.
Transdev Australasia CEO Luke Agati said the accolade as a Finalist was recognition of the work that was underway across the company.
“We continue to be fervent advocates for cleaner, greener, zero emissions technologies and have set a target of reducing our emissions in Australia and New Zealand by 30% by 2030,” Mr Agati said.
“Transdev has remained ahead of the curve and have invested our own resources to introduce new state-of-the-art sustainable fleet and drive positive environmental outcomes with suppliers.
“By harnessing strong and trusted partnerships with our public transport agencies and suppliers we have had the opportunity to introduce new innovations to market, such as operating the first hydrogen powered bus in New Zealand and delivering Australia’s very first 100% solar powered full-size bus.”
Mr Agati said Transdev was exploring opportunities to introduce new hydrogen fuelled vehicles into the Australasia region following the news that the company was set to test the world’s first hydrogen powered train in Germany in 2023.
“Hydrogen fuelled transport is fast becoming a reality,” he said.
“New and emerging technologies will make it cheaper and more sustainable for governments to introduce hydrogen powered fleet, whether it be buses, trains or ferries.
“Analysis of the industry suggest that prices for green, sustainably sourced hydrogen will halve over the next decade, making it a far more competitive and value-for-money option over traditional fossil fuels.
“It only takes one pathfinder vehicle or innovation to help instigate widespread industry change. Over the last two years, already we are starting to see a shift in the availability of diesel fleet as more operators and public transport agencies are favouring electric vehicles.”
Commuters across Australia and New Zealand are used to planning their trip online, but who are the people behind the scenes of our public transport networks?
Who makes the decisions about timetables and helps keep our cities humming even during some of the busiest city sporting and cultural events?
Transdev’s Network Solutions Team based in Sydney is a busy one that takes charge of multi-modal timetable planning for the light rail, bus and ferry networks.
They are fast thinking problem solvers who are always being challenged to think of new solutions.
L-R: Daniel, Shilpa and Thibaud from our Network Solutions team.
We chat to Head of Network Solutions Daniel Borowski, Network Performance Manager Thibaud Robineau, and Senior Scheduler, Shilpa Singh about their thoughts on what attracted them to the industry and what we can expect to see in our future public transport networks.
Q Daniel, you head up one of the busiest teams at Transdev. What do you enjoy most about your role?
“I get to lead a team committed to helping people get around our cities better within a company that shares that vision. It’s a very positive job – it’s all about what we can do to help the community. It’s always interesting as we get to play with new tech and reimagine how our networks function as we develop better solutions and new ways of meeting community needs.”
Q Did you always see yourself working in public transport?
“Yes, ever since I was a kid and played with trains and studied the street directory (sad but true!)
It took me a while to get there, I originally did an accounting degree at uni but during that time realised that I really wanted to follow my passion for transport and cities.”
Q: Shilpa and Thibaud, what do you both like about working in public transport?
Shilpa: “It’s exciting and rewarding. I really enjoy being actively involved in community engagement. For example, working with local schools and customers to raise awareness about rail safety, diversity and inclusion. It’s a great opportunity to spend time on the network and help people from all different walks of life.”
Thibaud: “I’ve always been fascinated by the impact of active and public transports on city shaping. It’s an industry that has a positive impact on people’s lives. But I would have never entered this industry without the technology revolution it is going through – data analysis (machine learning, AI), fleet electrification and autonomous driving just to name a few.
Q As COVID continues impacting industry sectors, including transport, what do you see as the biggest opportunities for public transport?
Daniel: “Long gone are the days of timetables that are static for years, COVID has helped us move to a model of responsive network planning and service scheduling to keep our staff and customers safe while providing a useful service. Transport bodies are recognising that travel patterns are changing. As an example, we’re seeing more people work from home rather than their city offices meaning local off-peak services are becoming more important.
Shilpa: “To take a lead on sustainable transportation and environmental initiatives. Social distancing also required regulating passenger density in trams, buses and trains with the ability for this information to be reflected on apps (real-time), so customers can plan their travel better.”
Q What are some future trends in public transport that customers can expect in the coming years?
Daniel: “Technology is changing the conventional view of public transport and it’s so exciting. MaaS (Mobility as a Service) is one example; a multi-modal vision of subscription-based transport across all modes including the car.”
Shilpa: “Shifting towards more equitable transportation by relying on data that includes underserved populations.”
Thibaud: “We need to ask how do we move away from mode planning and towards addressing the full customer journey? How do we balance necessary efficiencies and coverage while providing a service that is attractive in comparison to private transport?
Q Tell us about one of your favourite public transport journeys?
Daniel: “Leaving the car at home on the weekend and doing my errands and socialising on public transport – the bus to the city for lunch and a ferry ride to Manly. It’s a mini-holiday and it’s totally stress free.”
Thibaud: “Any journey with my daughters – seeing how it makes sense from their eyes to take a bus, a light rail, a train, a bus, anything rather than our private car: exciting vehicles, no need to strips oneself in a bulky seat and no stressed driving parent!
Daniel says in many ways the team’s journey is just beginning. “We’re only at the beginning of understanding how to use all the data we have, there is so much we can do to run a smarter and more relevant service with data insights.
“Our cities are changing for many reasons; new travel patterns, low emission vehicles, rise of rideshare services and the ubiquitous nature of the internet mean that the future has never been more exciting for public transport.”
2021 presented many operational challenges for our bus, light rail, heavy rail and ferry teams across Australia and New Zealand. COVID lockdowns meant our operational teams had to juggle unprecedented disruptions.
This year we received close to 500 nominations which made for an incredibly competitive field.
We congratulate all Finalists and Winners on their achievements!
Xavier Atkinson & Evalee Smith from our Sydney Light Rail team were recognised for their outstanding community-building efforts supporting many local causes such as Share the Dignity. Going far beyond their ‘day jobs’ they promoted our Diversity and Inclusion Council activities and organised a Light Rail team for the Wayside Chapel Long Walk Home in October to raise money to support people who are experiencing homelessness.
Finalists: Leanne Garland, Transdev NSW & Jeffrey Nacario, Transdev Auckland
Murray Gate from our Transdev Auckland team has played a significant role in reducing our environmentla impact. He helped lead the introduction of EMUs, Electrical Multiple Units, that has significantly reduced the amount of diesel that was consumed by the provision of rail transport in Auckland. He is also currently working on several environmental initiatives, including a trial to completely remove the use of chemical detergents when washing trains.
Finalist: Oliver Werger, Transdev Australasia
Kevin Hollingshead from our Transdev Queensland team was appointed into the role of Operations Manager in April, following 18 months as Operations Supervisor.
Since the appointment Kevin has reduced late running and early running, improving on time performance by 30%. He’s also played a key role in promoting a positive and people-focused culture introducing initiatives such as personalised birthday cards for our drivers.
Finalists: Jane Allsop, Transdev Melbourne
Mei Chan, Transdev Australasia
Eloise Large, Transdev Australasia
Matt Savage, Transdev Sydney Ferries
Peter Chan, Transdev WA
Peter Chan has made a big impact on bringing our new driver training to life in a creative and practical way.
He has proactively created stand time departure sheets, ‘cheat sheets’ for compulsory stops and an easy-to-read fare guide for our WA drivers which has been very much appreciated as making an impact by his peers and management.
Finalists: Jacqueline Gahan, Transdev WA, Albert Hasudungan, Transdev Sydney Light Rail, Taamara Husband, Transdev Sydney Ferries, Jacqueline Thomson, Transdev Queensland.
Dexter Rebeiro, Transdev NSW
As a buddy driver at Transdev New South Wales, Dexter is one of the first points of contact for new drivers. He plays a valuable role in mentoring our newest drivers and lives and breathes our safety values.
Dexter received 17 peer nominations in the awards – a true testament to how much of an impact he has had across the team.
Finalists: Harinder Baweja, Transdev Sydney Light Rail, Jo Baxter, Mana Newlands (Wellington bus), Jamie Purves, Transdev Melbourne, Vipul Rajpara, Transdev Auckland.
Natalie was recognised for being a calm and collected team player who supported the team during the disruptions of COVID. Her role focused on implementing at short notice an enhanced cleaning regime for our buses that was appreciated by so many of our drivers and customers. Beyond this, Natalie is regarded by her peers as an indispensable part of our busy operations at Howick and Eastern.
Journey Maker of the Year
Mei Chan, Transdev Australasia
Mei has truly excelled at numerous projects in the BD Team this year and it has not gone unnoticed. She has taken on some tough and vital strategic work such as coordination of our Zero Emissions strategy response across multiple tenders. She also been an integral contributor to many of our key commercial tender responses.
Transdev Australasia has submitted its annual compliance report to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
In accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act), Transdev Australasia lodged its annual compliance report with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (Agency) on 14 October 2021.
This report outlines Transdev Australasia’s gender split as at 30 March 2020 by occupational category as defined by the Agency.
To comment on the report or submit feedback, please email communications@transdev.com.au
Start your career by making a real difference to your community and join one of the largest multi-modal transport operators.
At Transdev, we believe public transport plays an important part in how a city comes to life.
We are a global leader in the operation of passenger transport services. Operating in 19 countries around the world, with 83,000 employees and managing 41,000 vehicles we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible workforce which reflects the community and the customers we serve.
Transdev and the wider public transport industry offer a ‘work family’ environment with camaraderie at heart. Leveraging from our global community, our businesses in Sydney offers you the tools that you need to succeed in your apprenticeship.
Whatever your role at Transdev, you contribute to improving the mobility of our customers, and the positive impact this can have on their lives, their community and our environment.
Opportunities in Sydney for apprenticeships include:
Daniella debunks some myths about a career in the trades and shares her apprenticeship journey with us.
On the Move profiles our New Zealand business operations in Auckland and Wellington including our passenger rail, bus and on-demand services.
Our senior leaders share their insights on some topical issues in public transport today such as sustainability and diversity.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has helped guide our journey as an organisation to improve our understanding of and connection to our First Nations communities.
We will continue to focus on fostering better relationships, supporting opportunities and encouraging respect and understanding in the next part of our Reconciliation journey.
Our vision:
Our vision for reconciliation is to empower and connect Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and Non-Aboriginal people to move freely and respectfully together across the sacred First Nations land and waterways that Transdev proudly operate on.
Key focus areas for Innovate RAP 2021-23
Meet our artist: Vicki Golding
This year we were privileged to commission local artist Vicki Golding to create an artwork that symbolised Transdev helping to create journeys and connect communities. Her striking cover artwork features in our RAP.
The artwork titled 'Along the Journey We Learn' recognises the connection between land waters and people. This artwork is inspired by the history of how Aboriginal people have communicated stories and knowledge through river systems, catchments and sea currents. The stories transport across different language groups and connect peoples between the freshwater and saltwater regions.
This artwork recognises the Transdev action planning in this Reconciliation Action Plan, and aims to enrich, enhance and celebrate culture and honour our histories.
Vicki Golding shared her journey with us:
"My name is Vicki Golding and I am a Biripi woman, born in Gadigal country New South Wales. I spent my childhood growing up in Redfern also gave birth to my 3 children there and am now residing in Malabar south eastern suburbs.
As a proud Aboriginal woman I am very passionate in demonstrating my cultural heritage and identity through my art practice which shares Aboriginal culture, community and history.
Practising Aboriginal art from a young age has given me the skills and experiences to work professionally as an artist, I have been given opportunities to work with other organisations in communities and sports. Working and painting with children in local schools, painting the junior grade headgears for the local La Perouse football club and commissioned to design and paint Johnathan Thurston’s headgear which he wore in the Indigenous Allstars games in 2012, 2013 and 2015. I have also had the opportunity to design the NRL Wests Tigers Indigenous jerseys 2018 and again 2019 which was a collaboration of my and my son Dennis’s artwork/designs.".
Over these five years, we have travelled 37 million kilometres and delivered 63 million passenger journeys on the Johnsonville, Melling, Kāpiti and Hutt Valley train lines, getting our passengers to where they need to be.
Luke Basilicata, Fleet Engineering Manager at Transdev Wellington, is proud of this partnership, saying: “It is a great example of how two organisations which have different core businesses can work together for one goal. It benefits everyone, most importantly our passengers.”
Together, we are implementing new technologies to improve the reliability and availability of the fleet, including:
• a first-of-its-kind in New Zealand Pantograph Collision Detection System (PCDS) which assesses overhead wire conditions and reports if they require maintenance in real-time,
• new Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) Gate Drives to deal with component obsolescence, and
• the design and installation of new passenger door tracks to improve system reliability and improve the original design.
Most recently, we reached a milestone in relation to fleet availability. Over the past 12 months, Hyundai-Rotem have supplied 100% of trains to meet Transdev’s operational requirements of 37,444 peak services, providing outstanding customer service. This is even with three simultaneous heavy maintenance projects running on our fleet.
Transdev and Hyundai-Rotem are continuing to work together to deliver rail operations and maintenance to providing Greater Wellington rail passengers with punctual and reliable train services.
As a ticketing sales agent, Rosie spends most of her day interacting and helping customers who may need a bit of extra support.
“My typical day is busy from the time I open my window to closing time which I love. I love interacting with customers and having a laugh with them through the window. It’s really rewarding for me when I can help customers who may need extra assistance. Sometimes we have customers with vision impairment who I help escort on to the train. It’s just one of the small extra gestures we do here for the customers.”
An initiative Rosie is particularly proud of in Wellington is the payment notice system. “We have these payment notices on the train for people who have forgotten their tickets and may not have cash on board. We are lucky to have these customers travel on our rail, so it makes sense that we get them home or to work and they come back and pay us when they have the fare. I have had really positive feedback about this.
“Personally I love trains and buses to get around. You travel on hassle-free, relaxing traffic routes, with no need to look for parking spaces.”
For Rosie, the journey at Transdev is shaped by the friendships she has made “Being able to work and laugh with some great work friends we make in my work journey.”
Our Wellington Rail team is currently recruiting for new ticketing sales agents with a passion for community just like Rosie.
Ahead of NAIDOC Week next month, we are delighted to announce a new local partnership in Melbourne with Kinaway Chamber of Commerce. This organisation helps improve the visibility networks of local Aboriginal businesses to strengthen relationships and create meaningful economic opportunities.
Our partnership will help pave the way for deeper engagement with First Nations communities and provide more opportunities for local Victorian Aboriginal-owned businesses to supply products and services for Transdev.
Donna Jones, our GM of Talent, D&I and Learning and Engagement caught up with Kinaway CEO Scott McCartney in Melbourne recently to mark the new partnership.
The statement identifies the modern slavery risks within our business and our supply chains, and the actions we are taking to address them, including the establishment of a Sustainable Procurement Action Plan.
Transdev Australasia CEO Luke Agati said the fight against modern slavery was important to the company and our stakeholders.
“Our purpose at Transdev is to give people the freedom to move every day, thanks to safe, reliable and innovative solutions that serve the common good,
“Showing genuine care for our employees, stakeholders, communities and our customers is at the very heart of our purpose, and therefore so too is the fight to combat modern slavery.” Mr. Agati said.
Transdev Australasia’s Chief Legal and Commercial Officer Nathan Lanthois said publishing the statement was an important milestone for the company
“The goods and services we buy as a business, and whom we partner with, can have both positive and negative consequences for our communities and the sustainability of our business,
“Developing our first Modern Slavery Statement has been a collaborative effort involving many of our teams and operations, and we are setting a foundation to achieve positive social, environmental and economic change through procurement,” Mr Lanthois said.
Key highlights of Transdev Australasia’s 2020 Modern Slavery statement include:
Transdev Australasia has recently launched a new Climate Change Policy addressing our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment.
The policy establishes a clear target to lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent across the company’s train, tram, bus and ferry operations by 2030 and as a stepping stone towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Transdev Australasia’s Chief Safety and Assurance Officer Huw Bridges said a central commitment in the new policy is to collaborate with stakeholders to increase the availability and attractiveness of public transport services.
“Fundamentally as a mobility provider, we have a responsibility to partner with our stakeholders to make public transport more accessible, cleaner and greener, and to encourage people to shift away from polluting and congesting car travel.
“This challenge has only been heightened by the pandemic,” Mr Bridges said.
Transdev Australasia’s targets are aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Paris Climate Agreement and Transdev Group’s established global targets.
“Our actions will ensure we meet our targets and better serve our stakeholders, customers and wider community,” Mr Bridges said.
Highlights of Transdev Australasia’s new Climate Change Policy include: