Evaluation

The data shows the Transport Strategy has achieved significant success in encouraging and enabling the use of active transport amongst employees, relative to the overall pattern of journeys to work by other employees in Macquarie Park. Furthermore, since day 1 of site occupation Optus has been well on track to meeting the challenging mode split targets imposed as a condition of the Development Approval consent.

The following section will comment firstly on the learnings from the Transport Strategy.

It will then summarise three successful employee engagement initiatives:

• Optus Online Journey Planner
• ‘Pocket Travel Guide’
• Travel ‘Clinics’

Information will then be presented on some of the measures developed to promote use of active transport:

• public transport
• cycling
• walking

Finally, it will comment on car parking policy, the Optus Ride Share scheme and initiatives designed to reduce the need to travel.

Learnings

The Transport Strategy is, by necessity, more extensive than most workplace travel plans. However the steps followed in development and implementation represent established transport planning best practice.

The factors responsible for the success of the Transport Strategy mirror those reported elsewhere and recognised in the international literature as known success factors for workplace travel plans.

Factors of critical importance include:

• having an in-depth understanding of the ‘problem’ (based on detailed data analysis)
• agreement on clear objectives and focus for the strategy
• the unique combination of measures specific to the Optus situation, with ‘incentives’ (i.e. the rail replacement bus service) as well as ‘disincentives’ (i.e. the car parking charge) to encourage the use of more sustainable methods of commuting
• continuous employee engagement
• management & budget commitment
• dedicated staff resources
• hard targets (DA mode share)

Online Journey Planner

Optus designed an intranet site specifically for the Transport Strategy – its aim is to be a ‘one-stop-shop’, containing all the information an employee could need about travelling to work at Macquarie Park. It has separate sections on all the different modes of transport, and includes specially prepared maps, downloadable fact sheets, guides to using particular forms of transport, information on costs/tickets, links to relevant external information and maps, a large FAQ section and the option to provide feedback. It also contains details on the design of the Transport Strategy design and the results of travel surveys.

The centre-piece of the site, prior to and during the initial stages of the move, was the Optus Online Personalised Journey Planner (designed in-house by Optus). Employees enter their home postcode and are presented with detailed comparative information (routes, cost and time) of how to make the commute by car and public transport. It also includes information on how many potential ride sharers live in the selected postcode, and provides links to cycling and walking information. The data is checked and updated regularly to ensure the information provided is accurate.

‘Pocket Travel Guide’

Information is also regularly made available to employees in hard copy format in recognition of the fact that many people do not have the time, or often the inclination, to consult information on a website.

The most successful to date is the ‘Pocket Travel Guide’, with over 6,000 copies distributed. Designed to be stylish and impactful, the double sided page of information folds to the size of a credit card, to fit neatly into a wallet or purse. It contains concise information on all aspects of travelling to Macquarie Park which an employee might need readily at hand.

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Travel Clinics

All employees were given the opportunity to attend a ‘travel clinic’ in the month before their relocation. Staffed by the Transport Manager, and with all relevant travel information (web based and hard copies) available at hand, employees could simply walk in at any time and either quiz the transport manager directly regarding their transport and travel concerns, or simply consult the literature available.

These sessions proved particularly useful in providing information to employees who were still uncertain about their travel options, and unable to source the information they needed elsewhere.

Public transport

Major public transport initiatives include:

• Optus rail replacement bus & express bus service
• Optus SMS Bus Alert
• Real time train arrival and departure information displays
• Public transport reimbursement & travel pass loan
• Partnering with transport providers

Optus rail replacement bus & express bus service

Prior to the opening of the Epping Chatswood Rail Link (ECRL) in February 2009, the majority of employees who travelled to work by public transport arrived at Optus Centre Sydney on a dedicated Optus rail transfer bus. This averaged about 1,700 people per day.

The rail replacement bus service was designed as an interim solution to fill the gap between Optus’ relocation and the opening of Macquarie Park and Macquarie University stations on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link. The intention was to provide at least the same level of accessibility that the railway line would offer, so as to offer all employees who would have considered using the train with an acceptable alternative from day 1 of site occupation and ensure a seamless transition to using the new railway line (when open).

The bus service comprised four routes running express to OCS (Chatswood – peak only; St Leonards; Wynyard – peak only; Epping). Services were exclusive (and free) for Optus employees, operating non-stop to and from Optus Centre Sydney 7 days a week, from early morning until late at night. Timetabling was designed to ensure minimal wait time (during the peak a turn up and go service operated on the two most highly used routes, and outside the peak services were timetabled to meet key train departures and arrivals). All bus stops were marked with an Optus employee bus sign, and large bus shelters with benches and lighting were provided at Optus Centre Sydney.

Since the opening of ECRL Optus has continued to provide two peak hour only express bus services, one route to the city (QVB) and the other to Strathfield. A co-contribution from employees is payable to the driver. In addition, a free station accessibility shuttle operates every weekday afternoon and evening (between OCS and Macquarie Park station). Currently, the express bus services are carrying between 550 and 700 employees a day, with approximately 1000 using the ECRL. Crucially this means that the overall mode share for public transport has not changed since the rail transfer bus service ended and was replaced by the railway line.

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Optus Bus SMS Alert

Optus Bus Alert SMS enables real time information about transfer bus and express bus service issues (delays, major disruptions etc) to be delivered directly to employees. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and over 700 people are registered for the service.

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Real time train arrival and departure information displays

To coincide with the opening of the Epping Chatswood Rail Link, Optus installed two real time rail arrival and departure information screens in the lobby area. The screens display information next train arrivals/departures, in each direction, and are identical to the displays found on City Rail station platforms. Connected to the real time City Rail train operating data, the displays are positioned such that all employees heading for the closest railway station (Macquarie Park station, approximately 10 minutes walk) can check the time until their next train and be alerted to any service disruptions, so enabling them to plan their journey accordingly.

Public transport reimbursement & travel pass loan

To encourage people to consider commuting by public transport, a one off 30% reimbursement of public transport costs was introduced to complement the already available annual travel pass loan scheme. Uptake of this, and the associated cost to Optus, was within the bounds forecast. The administrative burden did, however, prove greater than anticipated due to the wide variety of public transport tickets available and used in Sydney.

Partnering with transport providers

Optus has continued to liaise with providers of public bus services about improving public bus services to Macquarie Park in order to better serve those areas with poor public transport connections to the business park.

Cycling

Key cycling initiatives include:

• additional on-site infrastructure
• establishment of the Bicycle Consultation Group
• involvement in local and state-wide cycling events
• ‘Cycle Update’ newsletter

On average, 97 employees cycle to work at Optus Macquarie Park on a regular basis. However, the number often exceeds 150 people – particularly when a cycle event is hosted on site.

Cycle facilities on-site

Some cycle facilities were included by the developer of the Optus Centre Sydney site as a condition of planning approval. These amenities have since been modified and improved by Optus in response to employee feedback and increased demand.

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Bicycle Consultation Group

A Bicycle Consultation Group has been established to ensure that the needs and views of cyclists are fully represented. The group meets with the Sustainable Transport Manager every two months.

Cycling events

Optus cyclists have been enthusiastic participants in various cycling events:

• NSW ‘Ride2Work Day’, 2007 and 2008 event – see poster)
• Opening of Epping Road Cycleway, 2008:

‘Cycle Update’ newsletter’

All registered cyclists (a total of 295 employees) receive a monthly ‘Cycle Update’ by email, providing information on any recent changes to cycle facilities on and off site, and other information relevant to cycling in Sydney.

Walking

Key walking initiatives include:

• commissioning expert pedestrian audit of local streets
• walking map
• new pedestrian infrastructure

Data analysis indicated that the potential to encourage commute trips by foot to OCS is limited by the housing density of the local urban area, and the pre-existing home locations of employees. The Transport Strategy therefore concentrated on measures to encourage and facilitate walking to key public transport nodes and lunch-time trip attractors such as Macquarie Park shopping centre.

Pedestrian audits

Optus commissioned two Pedestrian Audits: one of the overall locality designed to recommend how the pedestrian infrastructure could be improved to enable and encourage more trips by foot; the other looking specifically at routes to Macquarie Park and Macquarie University railway stations to address any potential issues with pedestrian access when the Epping Chatswood railway line opened.

Walking map

The results from the pedestrian audits have been used to produce a map showing footpaths, pedestrian crossings and recommended pedestrian access routes in the local area. Additional signage is also posted en-route to key attractors (i.e. Macquarie Park railway station) to provide on the spot directions.

New pedestrian infrastructure

Optus installed a third ‘pedestrian only’ entrance on the southern (Epping Road) side of the campus, and funded a connecting pathway from the pedestrian bridge over Epping Road to this entrance.

Car Parking Policy

Optus needed an effective way of managing the demand for parking spaces – to ensure that those people who needed to drive to work were able to do so. After extensive research, debate and testing of various allocation options, it was agreed that the fairest and most efficient allocation method was to levy a charge for the spaces with all residual car park revenue (after car parking lease and management costs) reinvested in the Transport Strategy. The individual mode choice model helped to inform the decision as to what the level of charge should be.

All employees who wish to drive to work must register for parking. The parking charge is deducted from employee’s salaries post-tax. Employees sharing a car for the trip to work (ride sharers) are eligible for a reduced parking charge as well as priority parking, and a number of spaces are set aside for employees that need to drive to work (e.g. people with mobility impairments). A proportion of parking is also available for people that only want to drive on an occasional or casual basis (and a half day charge is levied for stays of less than four hours, payable by credit card on exit); this parking has proved particularly popular.

A sophisticated car park management system is used to control use of the car park (by the different categories of car park user). Importantly, the system works to maximise use of the spaces and manages some controlled over-letting when required. It also allows for detailed reporting on all aspects of car park usage.

Ride Share scheme

Sharing a ride to work with one or more Optus employees has proved a popular way to commute. Over 315 groups are now registered, equating to about 700 people sharing a ride to work on a regular basis (over 10% of employees).

Various factors may have contributed to this success of ride sharing:

• all sharers have the same work location in common (they are all based at Optus Centre Sydney)
• significantly discounted parking rates for ride share parking spaces
• the guarantee of a dedicated parking space for ride share groups
• on-line registration & matching service
• availability of ride share etiquette ‘guidelines’ & FAQs
• ride share promotional campaigns
• availability of an ‘Emergency Ride Home’ facility

Compliance with the ‘rules’ of ride sharing has been high, possibly a result of a combination of low tech/low cost measures to deter abuse. This includes allocating all ride share parking in one area of the car park (so as to encourage compliance through peer group pressure), the threat of the loss of all car parking privileges if people are found not doing the right thing (i.e. and using the ride share parking space for single occupancy trips), and using the car parking management system to monitor individual’s usage of the car parking space and ensure access and egress is controlled through certain entries/exits.

Reducing the need to travel

It was recognised that the way a person chooses to travel to work is often influenced by factors not directly related to that work trip. For instance the need to collect children from childcare, or pick up shopping on the way home, or working irregular hours, are often cited as reasons for driving to work.

In response to this, Optus has developed and promoted a number of initiatives which both support employees in reducing the number of commute trips they need to make and broadens their choice of transport mode (often enabling people to leave their car at home). The latest initiative is the availability of a car share car (provided by GoGet) parked at OCS for all employees to book and use. In addition, a childcare centre, gym and a convenience store are located on site. Optus also offers employees free broadband packages and mobile phone discounts, facilitates remote working and supports flexible work practices including core hours.