Tickets, please, we're already up for $400mBy Joseph Kerr,...

Tickets, please, we're already up for [B]$400mBy Joseph Kerr, Transport Reporter
September 4, 2004

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Transport heavies ... John Stott, left, Michael Costa, centre, and Darryl Mellish.

The Transport Minister, Michael Costa, has reshuffled the top ranks of his administration in an attempt to improve the transport system's performance - including the much-delayed integrated ticketing project.

The dramatic changes, aimed at making the bus network the major driver for reform of the beleaguered Sydney transport system, include the removal of the State Transit Authority's chief executive, John Stott.

In an unusual move, the state's top transport public servant - the director-general of the ministry, John Lee - will take a hands-on role by to replacing Mr Stott as head of the state's biggest bus operator.

Mr Lee, a former private bus system executive, will now be running buses in parts of Sydney and Newcastle - effectively bringing a private sector mindset to the public system as it undergoes dramatic change.

Mark Duffy, a prime negotiator in the Government's bus reform agenda, will be promoted to replace Mr Lee at the head of the Ministry of Transport. Mr Duffy is regarded as another "Mr Fixit", having served as chief policy adviser to the NSW Treasurer, Michael Egan, when the Government considered selling the electricity network.


He has been the Government's negotiator with the private bus industry on its reforms, which are supposed to rationalise Sydney bus services by January 1, with smaller operators replaced by bigger regional ones.

Mr Stott will now lead a new integrated ticketing board, giving him control of the project to develop a single electronic card called a smartcard to replace tickets on all Sydney buses, ferries, trams and trains.
It has already been delayed by years with the Government admitting yesterday the cost had blown out to $400 million.

The executive director of the Bus and Coach Association, Darryl Mellish, said: "We have worked very closely with Mark Duffy in the reform process. Although we've had our differences there is a mutual respect and we look forward to that continuing in his role as director-general."

Mr Costa's spokesman said Mr Lee was only stepping down temporarily and the STA job would be advertised in coming weeks.

Mr Costa announced Mr Stott's move yesterday.

He has run the STA since 1996 but recently lost control over Sydney Ferries in a move designed to improve passenger services on the harbour.

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Mr Stott will also be put in charge of a ministry unit that plans to co-ordinate Sydney's bus networks in a reform program that comes into force on January 1.

He was on $243,987 a year in his STA job, and is not expected to take a pay cut in his new jobs.

Mr Lee was the managing director of Sydney's largest private bus operator, Westbus, before being appointed by Mr Costa as director-general shortly after the 2003 election.

Also on the ticketing board will be the heads of RailCorp, State Transit, Sydney Ferries, the ministry and a representative of the private company involved in developing the smartcard.
The smartcard is being trialled by some Sydney schoolchildren.