Achieving better public transport outcomes through contestable franchising

Key Points:

Recent reports on the franchising of bus and ferry services have reinforced the case for using contestable franchising to improve how we provide public transport services.

Infrastructure Australia's recent reform document calls for, amongst other things, greater private sector involvement in operating infrastructure and the franchising of public transport services to create contestable markets. Recent reports by the Tourism & Transport Forum (in partnership with L.E.K.) the NSW Auditor General and the Victorian Auditor General have highlighted the benefits that have been generated via the outsourcing or franchising of bus and ferry services in Australia, the best practices that have emerged from that experience, and areas for future improvement.