2 November 2009
Saha International commissioned to provide an Interim Fare Collection System for the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit SYSTEM (BRT).
SAHA South Africa has been appointed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency to provide strategic advisory consulting services for the provision of an Integrated Fare Management System for the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System. The provision of the integrated fare management system was delayed and the City of Johannesburg requested SAHA to design and specify an interim fare collection system.
As the flagship of BRT systems in South Africa, the Rea Vaya BRT was officially launched on 30 August 2009. the original assignment of design and specification was extended to operate and manage the interim fare collection system.
SAHA assisted all stakeholder's to implement the system. In the operations and management of the system, SAHA is responsible for the following processes:
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Ensuring enough ticket stock in the ticket store;
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Managing the ticket store;
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Managing ticket ordering process from trunk stations and ticket vendors;
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Reconciling all financial transactions and processes; and
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Assisting with training and consulting as and where applicable.
SAHA was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the City of Johannesburg for "Getting the Interim Fare Collection System up and running overnight".
1 September 2009
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia release new report on Urban Growth and Congestion in Southeast Queensland, Urban Transport Challenge: Planning for Growth in Southeast Queensland.
Researched and written by SAHA, this report warns that congestion will cost the economy of Brisbane $3bn by 2020. In the longer term, costs will triple to $9bn a year if improvements in the transport system are not delivered.
The paper analyses the historical and rapid growth in population, the economy, and congestion in Southeast Queensland and the impacts of this growth on transport infrastructure. Recent responses by various levels of government were considered in terms of infrastructure and transport management. It also considered why congestion may continue to increase despite the current suite of projects underway and additional responses that may be needed.
The report's principal recommendation is the formation of a dedicated transport planning body that brings together all levels of government to drive a long-term unified plan for the infrastructure that will underpin Southeast Queensland's growth and productivity. Other recommendations include:
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a firm recommitment to the project pipeline as defined in the Southeast Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program
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reviewing whether planning horizons are sufficient - is it possible to plan for the truly long term (e.g. up to 50 years?)
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considering non-infrastructure solutions, including network-wide road pricing.
A copy of the report can be downloaded by clicking on the following link:
http://www.infrastructure.org.au/Content/SEQpaper.aspx
21 August 2009
SAHA's Quincy Chan was recently nominated for the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics Australia (CILTA, NSW Division) Young Achiever Award
Quincy was nominated in recognition of his continued contributions to developing public transport reforms on behalf of Government agencies around Australia. In particular, the important role Quincy has played in major bus contract reform projects in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The awards ceremony was held on Thursday 20 August where Quincy came a close second and received a commendation for his achievements. Quincy was presented with his award by the NSW Minister for Roads, Mr Michael Daley.
20 August 2009
SAHA commissioned to undertake Economic Evaluation of MSIC, Sydney
SAHA was commissioned to undertake a robust economic evaluation of the Medically Supervised Injection Centre to determine the costs and benefits of the program in relation to the broader health budget in NSW as well as to any related government agencies and private enterprise.
The major activities which we assessed were:
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HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention
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Overdoses
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Client and Referral Services
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Police and Coronial Investigation of Fatal Overdoses.
The Sydney MSIC was established in May 2001, in response to Recommendation 3.15 of the 1999 NSW Drug Summit. The NSW Government agreed to support one trial of a MSIC in recognition of arguments put to the Drug Summit that the establishment of facilities of this kind will decrease overdose deaths, provide gateway to treatment and reduce the problems of discarded needles and users injecting in public places.
31 July 2009
SAHA hosts Seminar on Public Private Partnerships
A second seminar hosted by SAHA, this time focused on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and their potential to deliver key infrastructure projects in New Zealand. SAHA Partners Luke Houghton and Jonathan Myers delivered their insights into the use of PPPs and other public-private arrangements in Australia and the lessons that could be learned for New Zealand.
Click here for the Seminar Presentation
19 June 2009
SAHA assisting Powerco NZ in Electric Cars Pilot Study
Saha International is currently assisting Powerco New Zealand in an Electric Cars Pilot Study. SAHA is helping Powerco develop the business case and the study's methodology for undertaking the trial. Several electric vehicles will be purchased and their performance monitored under various driving patterns and battery recharging methods. The study will provide an understanding of the impact that Electric Cars will have on distribution networks, and the future opportunities of this dynamic opportunity.
19 June 2009
SAHA appointed regulatory advisor to Powerco NZ
Saha International has been appointed Powerco's regulatory advisor for the preparation of their price submission to the New Zealand Commerce Commission This work includes:
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Developing a Cost of Supply Model for their Gas Reticulation and Metering businesses;
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Producing a Gas Tariff Pricing Methodology to assist Powerco in their negotiations with the NZ Commerce Commission;
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Drafting the price submission; and
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Liaising with the Commerce Commission and their auditors.
14 May 2009
SAHA hosts NZ Infrastructure Seminar - Tuesday 12 May 2009
SAHA hosted a range of guests from NZ Treasury and other interested agencies to a seminar to discuss lessons for infrastructure planning in New Zealand. Drawing on their experiences in Australia, SAHA's Tim Reardon and Dr Anthony Ockwell shared their insights into infrastructure planning through their close relationship with the Southeast Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP) and Infrastructure Australia (IA), providing a particular focus on lessons that can be taken from these processes and applied to the New Zealand context - a very timely and topical subject given the current development and formation of a National Infrastructure Unit in New Zealand.
Click here for the Seminar Presentation
Watch this space for further such seminars to be hosed by Saha International.