39GPublic consultation during operation of step-in arrangements

39G Public consultation during operation of step-in arrangements

39G Public consultation during operation of step-in arrangements

(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after implementing step-in arrangements, the Director-General is to establish a community reference group.

(2) The community reference group is to comprise persons nominated by the Director-General, being persons who the Director-General considers—

(a) have a knowledge of, or interest in, the bus services to which the step-in arrangements relate, or

(b) live in the area serviced by those bus services, or

(c) have some expertise in the provision of bus services generally.

(3) The community reference group is to conduct public consultation and is to—

(a) assess the frequency, reliability and relevance of the bus services to which the step-in arrangements relate, and

(b) assess the long term viability of those bus services, and

(c) consider alternative bus service arrangements, and

is to report to the Director-General on these matters.

(4) In determining the terms of a new bus service contract that relates to a region or route (or part of a region or route) for which bus services are being provided under step-in arrangements, the Director-General is to take account of any relevant report provided under subclause (3).