Source: Point to Point Transport Commission Weekly Update
CLEAN UP KITS
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner and Transport for NSW are making one-time use clean up kits available for point to point transport vehicles to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Clean up kits are used in the event of a passenger spreading droplets, such as coughing or sneezing, so point to point transport drivers can clean themselves or their vehicle surfaces to potentially reduce the spread of infection.
Drivers should report all incidents and the use of clean up kits to service providers.
The kit contains gloves, saline eye wash, antiseptic swabs, soap and first aid hand towels and comes in a resealable plastic bag.
All point to point transport service providers will be eligible for one clean up kit free of charge per point to point vehicle, and they will be available from vehicle sanitisation stations located in Albury, Alexandria, Central Coast, Dubbo, Leumeah, Tamworth, Newcastle and Prestons.
If service providers are unable to obtain clean up kits from a vehicle sanitisation station, kits can be ordered via the Point to Point Transport Commissioner Industry Portal.
Service providers are expected to distribute the kits to vehicles over the coming weeks.
To Download the guide below for instructions on how to order your clean up kit through the Industry Portal, click here.
COVID UPDATES: FACE MASKS, BORDERS, PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER – COUGHING AND SPITTING
FACE MASKS
NSW Health advises that it is strongly recommended that customers using transport across NSW, and customer facing operators, wear a face mask.
Although the use of masks is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended where physical distancing is not possible.
This includes passengers and drivers of point to point transport vehicles.
As physical distancing is not possible in most point to point transport vehicles the wearing of masks is a reasonable and recommended line of defence to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
In line with NSW Health advice, people should stay at home if they are unwell, frequently wash their hands or use a hand sanitiser, practise physical distancing where possible and using the vehicle sanitisation stations where available. The use of a face mask does not replace the need for these important measures.
BORDERS
Border update NSW/VIC
As of Friday 7 August, any person entering NSW from Victoria is required to arrive by aircraft via Sydney Airport and go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days.
Victorian arrivals must proceed to hotel quarantine by dedicated shuttle bus and remain in hotel quarantine at their own cost in accordance with the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine Order) 2020 or leave NSW.
Anyone proceeding to hotel quarantine cannot be transported using point to point transport vehicles (taxis, hire vehicles including rideshare).
For information regarding NSW permits, visit the point to point COVID-19 webpage or to apply for a NSW border permit visit service.nsw.gov.au.
Border update NSW/QLD
On Saturday 8 August, the Queensland Government closed the Queensland/NSW border to all NSW, VIC and ACT residents in accordance with the QLD Border Restrictions Direction (No.11).
The Queensland Government declared all of NSW, VIC and the ACT COVID-19 hotspots. People who have been in declared hotspots in the past 14 days must not enter Queensland. Returning Queensland residents must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass and will be subject to government directed quarantine.
To apply for a border declaration pass visit qld.gov.au. For information regarding exemptions and border updates visit the point to point COVID-19 webpage.
PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER – COUGHING AND SPITTING
To deal with the public health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences, the Minister for Health and Medical Research has made a number of Orders, under section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010.
Public Health (COVID-19 Spitting and Coughing) Order 2020 directs that a person must not intentionally spit at or cough on public officials or other workers in a way that is reasonably likely to cause fear about the spread of COVID-19.
Concerns about passenger behaviour in relation to this Public Health Order should be reported by Service Providers via the Point to Point Transport Commissioner Industry Portal.
P2P TOOLKIT
A toolkit has been developed to help the point to point industry deliver clear and consistent communication around COVID-19. This includes messaging to passengers including: handling their own luggage, sitting in the backseat, using contactless payment where possible. The messaging also reminds passengers to maintain good hygiene, recommendation to wear a mask and not to travel if they are feeling unwell. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide service providers with the communications resources to print and distribute to their drivers. It includes artwork for stickers, magnets, banners, posters, interior seat and headrest cards, and also includes website, Facebook and other digital assets. This toolkit will assist service providers and drivers communicate key COVID-19 safety messages to passengers, and will help passengers understand what is being asked of them. If you wish to use the toolkit, you can apply to use the assets by emailing P2Pevents@transport.nsw.gov.au. To view the toolkit and learn more about the assets and their use, the toolkit document can be downloaded below.
To download the Toolkit, click here.
INDUSTRY PORTAL ENHANCEMENT – PHASE ONE
From 27 August, new enhancements on the Industry Portal will go live with new screen optimisation being deployed on the Levy page. The phase one enhancements mean that the Levy page of the Industry Portal will display correctly for most mobile and tablet devices. All text will fit on the screen (users will need to scroll up and down) and all Levy registration functions will be available including updating Levy registration and submitting Levy returns. Further Industry Portal page optimisation will be carried out in the near future.
To download the industry portal enhancement, click here.
SAFETY STANDARDS FOR VEHICLES PROVIDING PASSENGER SERVICES
Specific safety duties and safety standards apply to booking service providers and taxi service providers, vehicle owners and drivers of those vehicles. For the safety of drivers, passengers and the public, it is important you are aware of your safety obligations and comply. There are penalties for non-compliance.
Ensuring vehicle compliance
If you are a vehicle owner you have an obligation to ensure the vehicle is appropriately registered, insured and safe to be driven on the road (roadworthy).
For the vehicle to be compliant and able to provide passenger services, the owner of the vehicle must ensure the vehicle:
is registered
has annual safety checks (a safety check is either a Pink slip or an E-safety check)– even if the vehicles is less than five years old
is regularly and properly maintained (consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations), and that
maintenance or repairs are carried out by a licenced mechanic; and
records of maintenance and repairs are kept.
Basic maintenance such as oil changes, spark plug replacements and tyre changes do not need to be carried out by a mechanic.
The owner of a vehicle used to provide passenger services has a specific obligation to ensure that each vehicle is covered by a valid insurance policy for third party property damage with cover of at least $5 million. All insurance must provide continuous coverage. This means that there are no days between policies in which a vehicle provides a passenger service while it is not insured.
It is important to also note that the booking service providers and taxi service providers are responsible for ensuring these safety standards are met. Service providers should have processes in place to ensure the vehicle is registered and correct maintenance is being carried out by the vehicle owner.
Visit Safety standards for vehicles providing booked services and safety standards for taxis for more information on safety standards and compliance obligations.
For more information on vehicle insurance please download our fact sheet below
Safety standards also apply for all point to point transport drivers go to Safety standards for drivers on our website for more information.