The not-for profit organisation set up the Journey Maker Employment Program in January 2020, a partnership with the Victorian Government, Transdev and Australia Industry Group, to help create ongoing job opportunities for community members experiencing long-term unemployment.

However, within weeks, the program was forced to rethink its delivery strategy due to COVID-19 restrictions, which meant no physical contact with community members.

“The aim of the Journey Maker Employment Program is to help disadvantaged members of our community experiencing long-term unemployment to re-connect with the workforce” said Ahmed Hassan, Executive Director, Youth Activating Youth. “With Victorians facing a lengthy period of economic uncertainty due to the pandemic, it made it even more critical that we were able to provide access to retraining and upskilling into sectors with job opportunities.”

YAY worked with the state government and mobility provider, Transdev to launch the program and offer extensive online interview and careers coaching to assist successful applicants and ensure that they were ready for comprehensive on-road training.

The initiative received more than 180 registrations, with the Youth Activating Youth team providing one-on-one support for each applicant to prepare them for the interview process, while also facilitating online workshops on resume writing, interview preparation, and mock recorded and face-to face interview training.

Following a thorough recruitment process 16 applicants aged between 25 – 54 years were chosen to fill the 16 driver positions. Each applicant completed extensive on-road training for their role with a VicRoads accredited heavy vehicle training and assessment provider, before completing Transdev-specific training and induction with the support of Transdev’s dedicated training team.

Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford said the Victorian Government was proud to have backed the program through a $150,000 Jobs Victoria grant.

“We are helping to remove the barriers to employment that exist for too many people in the community,” Minister Pulford said.

“Jobs Victoria will be employing hundreds of new jobs mentors, advocates and counsellors in coming months to continue to support those who need help to get back to work.”

“At Transdev, we define ourselves not by our roles or job functions but rather by the aim of being Journey Makers, a title which acknowledges the impact that each one of our 5,800 employees across Australia and New Zealand have in helping to shape customers journey and experience on public transport,” Paul Birch, Transdev Chief People and Culture Officer, said.

“We are immensely proud to welcome the 16 new recruits into our workplace. And, as a team of people serving people, we are proud to be partnering in a program that supports jobs, encourages greater diversity, and leads to greater inclusion within our community and workplace,” Mr Birch added.

Mr Hasan stated that companies hiring long-term unemployed have reportedly experienced higher retention rates and greater workforce loyalty, which could be an unexpected competitive edge in an increasingly challenging market. “The Journey Maker Employment Program has helped to show the benefits and positive effects of hiring disadvantaged members of our community and involving them in the workplace, and we look forward to working with more corporations on similar initiatives” said Mr Hassan.

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    As a public transport operator this plan sets out how we will achieve compliance with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 Act in Australia by 2022.

    This Plan details the initiatives that will support more accessible services for our customers, and a more accessible and inclusive workplace across six key priorities:

    • Accessible and Inclusive Workplace
    • Accessible and Inclusive Recruitment
    • Career Development, Education and Training
    • Information and Technology
    • Customer Service
    • Accessible Public Transport

    We are committed to creating more inclusive public transport services to reflect the communities we serve.

    Download a Microsoft Word version of the plan here  >

     

    Transdev Australasia Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan

    Download a PDF file of the plan

    The team were recognised among a highly competitive field of brands including Smile Dental to be recognised as finalists.

    The  Excellence in Customer Service Delivery category recognises businesses that achieve success by providing excellent and sustained customer service.

    Our Auckland Rail journey makers including drivers, trainers, station team leaders, and control room operators were honoured and delighted with this recognition.

    The team helps create more than 14 million customer journeys across Auckland every year. 

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    Jay Harkness
    Communications Manager
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      The new trams will meet customer demand, increasing capacity by more than 30 per cent and providing five additional services per peak hour.

      Thanks to a population boom in Sydney’s inner west, customer numbers on the line soared from around four million in 2012 to approximately 10 million in 2018.

      Procurement is expected to start within the coming months, with the vehicles expected to arrive within two years.

      Transdev Australasia Chief Officer – Light Rail, Brian Brennan, has said the additional trams will provide much needed capacity on the Inner West Light Rail which has seen continued patronage growth year on year.

       “When the new trams arrive, we’ll be able to boost our peak services on the L1 from every 8 minutes to 6 minutes, a terrific accomplishment,” Brian said. “I would like to thank everyone who has been working on this for the past few years,” Brian said. “It’s great news for Transdev and our customers.”

      Transdev Sydney Commercial Manager, Mark Gottardi, also welcomed the announcement.

      “This will allow us to effectively move more than 1000 people during the post-pandemic peaks.”

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      Shaun Fewings
      Stakeholder and Communications Manager
      0411 430 267

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        Being trialled in Melbourne in partnership with the Victorian Government, the electric bus broke a project record, travelling nearly one thousand kilometres on just two charges, demonstrating the efficiency and range of the 324 kWH of Lithium Phosphate batteries.

        The trial has also demonstrated the significant cost saving potential of electric vehicles when comparing the energy costs to charge the electric bus to the fuel costs for a standard Euro 5 model bus.

        Ian Craig, Acting Managing Director, Transdev Melbourne said; “We’re proud to be the leading operator of zero-emission buses globally.

        “The electric bus has delivered some impressive results so far and the Melbourne trial is delivering some useful insights which help inform what a zero emission bus operation in Victoria could look like.
        The feedback from passengers has been very positive and we are looking forward to being able to showcase this technology to more Victorians.”

        Last month the electric bus, which has clocked up more than 32,900 kilometres, began phase two of the trial – switching from Route 246 between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill to Route 251 between the City (Queen St) and Northland Shopping Centre.

        Route 251 was selected because it is a high frequency route with buses departing every 20 minutes allowing comparison between the performance of other models of standard diesel buses.

        The route also offers a range of traffic conditions ensuring the bus is able to perform in different operating environments and is close to Transdev’s North Fitzroy depot allowing the bus to return to the depot for recharging and maintenance.

        The trial has been extended until 31 October 2021 and will provide valuable insights for the potential of introducing electric buses across the network.

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          ICSS recognises organisations for delivering excellence in customer service, scoring them across twelve different criteria including innovation, training, and organisational alignment. 

          The team was ranked in the highest possible band for accreditation and deemed to be at integration level. This is a wonderful testament to the team’s ongoing customer focus.

          Wellington joins our Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney bus and ferry teams who have also attained this accreditation and are formally recognised as Certified Customer Service Organisations.

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            Proudly described as “Journey Makers”, Transdev’s local team of over 5,800 employees provide safe and comfortable customer journeys every day in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington – connecting friends and families to where they live, work and play.

            The employee stories, across bus, light rail, ferry and rail, reflect a changing face of the public transport industry which is seeing more people discover its diverse and rewarding career pathways.

            Transdev’s Director of People & Culture and Corporate Communications Paul Birch, said a desire to work in a sector that makes a real difference to customers’ daily lives and communities forms a common thread binding the stories together.

            “There is a clear and unwavering dedication to providing memorable customer journeys, and an ethos of continuously challenging yourself and your company to be better that really shines through in our employees’ stories.

            “We’re very proud of the campaign, but most importantly we’re proud of our diverse team and the contribution they make to the liveability of our cities in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.  

            The inspiring stories of Transdev’s Journey Makers are featured on our YouTube channel and Our Journey Makers page.

            Transdev Australasia CEO Luke Agati said the bus would be 100% powered by sustainable solar energy, with the company installing a new Green Mobility Megawall, comprising of 10 Tesla Power Walls, and Solar network at its Capalaba Depot in Brisbane.

            “Averaging more than 280 days of sunshine per year, Queensland well and truly lives up to its reputation as the Sunshine State, and we are excited to be bringing this clean, green, modern vehicle to Brisbane and the Redlands,” Mr Agati said.

            “Globally, Transdev is a leader in zero-emissions mobility, and work is underway to introduce new fleet and innovations to Australia and New Zealand over the coming months.

            “Research, testing and design for our future zero-emissions fleet will be led from our newly opened Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence, also based at our Capalaba Depot.”

            Member for Capalaba Don Brown toured Transdev’s Capalaba Depot today and said the new e-bus would help to power Queensland’s e-mobility industry and support jobs.

            “Not only will the new vehicle be powered by the more than 159,000 kWh of local sunshine collected on-site each year, but it will be Queensland research and experience that will shape the design and introduction of new zero-emission fleet, both here in Queensland, and elsewhere across the country,” Mr Brown said.

            “Global economies have been hard-hit by COVID-19, and both Australia and Queensland have not been immune.

            “Queensland’s ongoing health response means we can continue our plan for economy recovery, which means creating jobs on major transport projects like new, more energy-efficient buses, our $371 million smart ticketing system and the Eastern Transitway.

            “The Palaszczuk Government is committed to collaborating with industry on the transition to electric vehicles and infrastructure and services, and Transdev’s decision to lead it’s e-mobility operations from Queensland is a recognition of the expertise and innovation that we have here in the Sunshine State.”

            Transdev Australasia Head of Engineering Marc Cleave, TransLink CEO Matt Longland, Transdev Queensland Head of Business Operations Mark McKenzie looking at solar panel installation at Transdev’s Capalaba Depot, Brisbane
            L-R: Transdev Australasia Head of Engineering Marc Cleave, TransLink CEO Matt Longland, Transdev Queensland Head of Business Operations Mark McKenzie looking at solar panel installation at Transdev’s Capalaba Depot, Brisbane. Image credit: Nicholas O'Sullivan

            • Route testing will occur for 2 years – to identify suitable routes (based on geography, stopping pattern, etc) for optimal energy efficiency
            • Capacity for 61 passengers – 39 sitting, 22 standing
            • Up to 300 kilometre range per charge (operating under normal conditions)
            • 348 kW size battery
            • Battery fully charged in under 5 hours
            • Enhanced passenger comfort – reduced noise, USB charging ports and electric ramp
            • Customised digital signage and on-board display
            • Volgren Optimus body integrated with BYD e-bus chassis

            • 250 solar panels capturing up to 159,000 kWh of power per year – average of 438kW per day
            • Green Megawall consists of 10 individual Tesla Power Wall units
            • Total storage capacity 135kWh

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            Martin Stern
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              Transdev Australasia’s Chief People and Culture Officer, Paul Birch, revealed that so far 27 new employees had transitioned to public transport from the aviation sector since March and the company was fielding increased interest.

              “To their credit governments in Australia and New Zealand have continued to support public transport services during the pandemic, keeping our cities’ vital transport options open to those in our community who rely on it, and this means we’ve been in the positive position of being able to offer new employment opportunities,” Mr Birch said.

              “The aviation sector is renowned for its focus on safety, operational excellence, and a strong customer service culture, which are areas that very much align with our business and the public transport industry at large.

              “Already, our new employees are making a noticeable contribution to the business, commencing roles as trainee train drivers or bus drivers, customer service, or in Corporate Services.”

              The new roles have been shared across Transdev’s Australian and New Zealand operations, with 13 based in Auckland, and the remainder based in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

              Previous roles held by Transdev’s new recruits range from Domestic and International Pilots, Cabin Crew, Guest Services, Trainers and Ground staff.

              Mr Birch himself was a previous veteran of the aviation sector, having worked for both Ansett in Australia and Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi.

              “There are a lot of synergies between the public transport and aviation sectors, and while the vehicles, routes and altitude may be different, we are people serving people – and the expectations around safe, friendly and professional service remain the same,” he added.

              “We are proud to have such amazing talent joining us at Transdev.”

              Locally based in Melbourne since 1998, Transdev Australasia employs more than 5,700 people to operate bus, light-rail, ferry, and train services in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Auckland, and Wellington privately and under contract with state and local governments.

              Discover current career opportunities

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              Martin Stern
              Head of Group Communications, CSR and Ethics
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                “As a member of Transdev Australasia’s Executive team, I am incredibly proud of our Journey Makers, in particular our customer facing employees. Every day, our teams are safely delivering rail, bus, ferry, light rail and on demand services.

                Like many workplaces we embraced new ways of working almost overnight. Despite travel restrictions, our company has been brought closer together, not only locally but worldwide.

                We have shared best practice and issues unlike ever before.

                In one sense, nothing has changed:
                Our Journey Makers still empower your freedom to move safely and with confidence every day. We are still committed to a strong partnerships and to meet the needs of our customers.

                And yet, everything has changed:
                This crisis has reinforced our ambition to provide sustainable, safe and accessible mobility. As our ways of life change, our transportation changes and we must continue to constantly adapt in order to provide reliable and innovative solutions that serve the common good.

                COVID-19 has heightened the need for industry and government collaboration in the face of new challenges and ideas.

                We have had a glimpse into the future, during this pandemic, with the rapid uplift in technology use and changes in travel patterns. Public transport will continue to play a huge part in bringing liveable cities to life.”

                Nothing’s Changed. Everything’s Changed. is our Transdev Group global communication campaign. It highlights the new reality, the ‘new normal’ that we are all experiencing after COVID-19.

                 

                Dan describes assets as ‘all things keeping buses on the road and the community moving safely’.

                Tell us about your graduate journey

                Initially starting at Transdev, the plan was based on a rotation between departments to get a taste for how the business operates in its different functions. Whilst I managed to sneak in a portion of this, I don’t think anyone would’ve anticipated their career beginning in the midst of a global pandemic. This drastically changed the working environment as the office shifted to home. While this wasn’t ideal for the social aspects of work, it did present some interesting challenges as the business looked strategise on how to deal with the worst-case scenarios and also support our essential frontline staff.

                How has COVID changed your daily routine?

                The regular working day has changed heavily over the last few months. The average step count has dipped shamefully to a level I’d rather not make public! A two-hour round trip to the office and back has turned into laps around my house with a daily venture outside to get a coffee. Fortunately, being a global and a mobile workforce at Transdev meant many practices like MS teams and Zoom meetings were already standard. It also provides various opportunities to leave the house and engage in different projects across our many sites. In more recent times, office visits and small meetings have been a welcome change of pace and probably provided my partner with some sanity without me being at home 24/7.

                What lessons have you learnt from this unusual time?

                However unusual the start to life at Transdev has been, it delivered a huge learning curve as to how the business could react to such large scale uncertainty. Being thrown in the deep end in some scenarios presented unique challenges and fast-tracked learning in a few key areas.

                It also proved the strength of the various teams and ability to work together to keep things moving in the best way possible. While COVID-19 has hindered the graduate plan so far, there have been many invaluable learnings and experiences that help you understand that there’s always a way through a challenge. Coming out the other side of COVID-19 it shows how effective teams can be when working remotely and has forced the business, like many others, to further adapt to being geographically dispersed.

                What advice do you have for new graduates?

                Whilst the 2020 graduate start to life has been unorthodox, the experience is what you make of it. The team and the culture is excellent and the support and opportunities are there for you to grow in your role and ultimately gain experience and further your skills and development. Put your hand up and be ambitious.  

                 

                 

                Our team at Transdev Melbourne has welcomed the dispatch of the final 14 buses of Victoria’s single biggest order of replacement buses in 25 years as they head into service on the network.

                These buses, part of the Victorian Government’s 100 new bus order, are transforming the customer experience improving safety, reliability and comfort for our customers.

                The new buses were built in line with the Victorian Government’s Local Jobs First Policy, creating jobs in regional centre Ballarat and sustaining employment in Melbourne suburb Dandenong.

                This commitment is a testament to the Victorian Government’s commitment to public transport and improving the customer experience across the network.

                Our key partners, the Victorian Department of Transport, Scania Australia, Volgren Australia and Gemilang Australia were instrumental to delivering this project ensuring the new fleet are safe and ‘network ready’.

                Transdev proudly operates a third of the metropolitan Melbourne bus network of the Victorian Government in collaborative partnership with the Department of Transport.


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