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Public Transport Commission

{{Short description|Rail, bus and ferry agency of NSW (1972–1980)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}

{{Use Australian English|date=June 2015}}

{{Infobox government agency

|agency_name = Public Transport Commission

|type = Commission

|nativename =

|nativename_a =

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|logo =

|logo_width =

|logo_caption =

|seal =

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|picture = Leyland_PDR1A-1_Atlantean_1016.jpg

|picture_width =

|picture_caption = Preserved Pressed Metal Corporation bodied
Leyland Atlantean

|formed = 20 October 1972

|dissolved = {{end date and age|1980|06|30|df=yes}}

|preceding1 = Department of Railways

|preceding2 = Department of Government Transport

|preceding3 = Sydney Harbour Transport Board

|superseding1 = State Rail Authority

|superseding2 = Urban Transit Authority

|jurisdiction = New South Wales

|headquarters = Sydney

|region_code =

|coordinates =

|employees =

|budget =

|minister1_name = Peter Cox

|minister1_pfo = Minister for Transport

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|keydocument1 = {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|num_act|ptca1972n53356|Public Transport Commission Act 1972}}

|keydocument2 = {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|num_act|ptcashta1974n81746|Public Transport Commission and Sydney Harbour Transport (Amendment) Act 1974}}}}

The Public Transport Commission (PTC) was an agency of the Government of New South Wales responsible for the provision of rail, bus and ferry services in New South Wales, Australia from October 1972 until June 1980.

Upon dissolution, responsibility for rail services transferred to the State Rail Authority and responsibility for bus and ferry services to the Urban Transit Authority.

The PTC, composed of five Commissioners appointed by the Governor of New South Wales, was accountable to the Minister for Transport.

Structure

File:8008 comeng.jpg in 1978]]

The PTC was established pursuant to the {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|num_act|ptca1972n53356|Public Transport Commission Act 1972}} and led to the abolition of the offices of Commissioner for Railways and Commissioner for Public Transport.Single Authority Planned for Public Transport in NSW Railway Transportation March 1972 pages 3, 10One body to run public transport Truck & Bus Transportation March 1972 page 127

The Act facilitated the merger of the Department of Railways and the Department of Government Transport,{{cite web |url=http://investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/Entity.aspx?Path=\Agency\539 |title=Public Transport Commission of New South Wales |work=State Records |publisher=Government of New South Wales |access-date=6 April 2012 }} the latter being the agency that operated government bus services in Sydney and Newcastle. In December 1974, the {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|num_act|ptcashta1974n81746|Public Transport Commission and Sydney Harbour Transport (Amendment) Act 1974}} dissolved the Sydney Harbour Transport Board and ferries were added to PTC's responsibility.[http://investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/Entity.aspx?Path=\Agency\1916 Sydney Harbour Transport Board] NSW State Records This coincided with government also taking over the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company ferries.{{cite book|last=Andrews|first=Graeme|title=Ferries of Sydney|year=1994|publisher=Sydney University Press|location=Sydney|isbn=0-424-00202-7|pages=76}}

In June 1980, the PTC was dissolved with the State Rail Authority assuming responsibility for rail services and the Urban Transit Authority responsibility for bus and ferry services through the enactment of the {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|num_act|taa1980n103314|Transport Authorities Act 1980}}.Complete Re-organization of Public Transport in New South Wales Network July 1980 page 7Here & There Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 514 August 1980 page 57

Management

The Public Transport Commission consisted of five commissioners appointed by the Governor of New South Wales, two of whom were nominated by the Minister for Transport. Two of the Commissioners were full-time one of these was appointed by the Governor as Chief Commissioner. The Commission acquired the assets and liabilities of the former commissioners, were bound by current agreements or contracts, and were responsible for the completion of business commenced by them. The Commission inherited the functions of the previous Commissioners as prescribed in the {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|num_act|gra1912n30271|Railways Act 1912}} and the {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|num_act|ta1930n18180|Transport Act 1930}}.

The first Chief Commissioner of the PTC was Philip Shirley, a former chairman of Cunard, who came out of retirement to take up the position. Shirley had been involved with the Beeching cuts being vice chairman of the British Railways Board in his native United Kingdom in the 1960s. His cost-cutting approach was criticised by sections of the public, trade unions and the parliamentary opposition. Shirley retired in 1975, two years before his commission was due to conclude. His successor, until the PTC was disbanded in 1980, was Alan Reiher. Upon the dissolution of the PTC, Reiher became chairman of VicRail.[http://www.arhsvic.org.au/content/railway-history-victoria-1950-now Railway History in Victoria 1950 - now] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321061740/http://www.arhsvic.org.au/content/railway-history-victoria-1950-now |date=21 March 2012 }} Australian Railway Historical Society Victorian Division

= Chief Commissioners =

class="wikitable"
#

!Commissioner

!Term

!Time in office

!Notes

1

| Philip Shirley

| 20 October 1972 – 1 December 1975

| {{ayd|1972|10|20|1975|12|01}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220147733 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=110 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 October 1972 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=4122 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220171880 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=155 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 November 1975 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=4974 |via=National Library of Australia}}

2

| Alan Reiher

| 20 April 1976 – 19 March 1980

| {{ayd|1976|04|20|1980|03|19}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220196977 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=59 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=30 April 1976 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=1842 |via=National Library of Australia}}[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110584396 Top NSW transport man quits] Canberra Times 21 March 1980 page 7{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231301628 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales|issue=51 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 March 1980 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=1389 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center colspan=5|Vacant to 30 June 1980, succeeded by CEO State Rail Authority and CEO Urban Transit Authority

= Deputy Chief Commissioners =

class="wikitable"
Commissioner

!Term

!Time in office

!Notes

Joshua Trimmer

| 12 December 1974 – 28 September 1979

| {{ayd|1974|12|12|1979|09|28}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220177191 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=159 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=27 December 1974 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=5083 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Jack Davies

| 28 September 1979 – 30 June 1980

| {{ayd|1979|09|28|1980|06|30}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219971534 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=134 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 September 1979 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=4819 |via=National Library of Australia}}

= Commissioners =

class="wikitable"
Full-time Commissioner

!Term

!Time in office

!Notes

Dr Robert Nielsen

| 20 October 1972 – 31 December 1973

| {{ayd|1972|10|20|1973|12|31}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220153748 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=156 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=14 December 1973 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=5331 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Joshua Trimmer

| 20 October 1972 – 12 December 1974

| {{ayd|1972|10|20|1974|12|12}}

|

Eric Archer

| 1 January 1974 – 15 January 1974

| {{ayd|1974|01|01|1974|01|15}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220153734 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=156 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=14 December 1973 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=5332 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220155953 |title=RE will of ERIC DOUGLAS ARCHER, late of Strathfield |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales|issue=52 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 May 1974 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=1807 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Eugene Gordon

| 13 June 1974 – 30 June 1980

| {{ayd|1974|06|13|1980|06|30}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220158098 |title=PUBLIG TRANSTORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=81 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=5 July 1974 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=2590 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Nominated Commissioner

!Term

!Time in office

!Notes

Barrie Unsworth

| rowspan=2|20 October 1972 – 19 October 1975

| rowspan=2|{{ayd|1972|10|20|1975|10|19}}

| rowspan=2|

Reginald Watson
Edington Byrne

| rowspan=2|20 October 1975 – 19 October 1979

| rowspan=2|{{ayd|1975|10|20|1979|10|19}}

| rowspan=2|{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220169952 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=135 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=17 October 1975 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=4265 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220221254 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=162 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=17 November 1978 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=4707 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Ralph Marsh
David Hill

| 12 November 1979 – 30 June 1980

| 267 days

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219973858 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=153 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=16 November 1979 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=5725 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231250775 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=73 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=16 May 1980 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=2432 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Eric Lyndon

| 21 May 1980 – 30 June 1980

| {{ayd|1980|05|21|1980|06|30}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231251505 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION ACT, 1972 |newspaper=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales |issue=80 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=30 May 1980 |access-date=7 June 2019 |page=2741 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Activities

File:Mixed Electric set on SHB RR CT 1977.jpg in 1977, made up of S sets and Tulloch carriages in the blue and white livery]]

A mandarin blue and riviera white livery was introduced on buses, suburban electric trains and ferries while freight wagons were painted in a teal blue livery.New colour scheme for Sydney transport Network December 1972 page 2New Livery for Government-owned Transport Fleet Railway Transportation December 1972 page 10{{cite book|last=Travers|first=Greg|title=From City to Suburb a Fifty Year Journey|year=1982|publisher=The Historic Commercial Vehicle Association|location=Sydney}}"20 Years Ago" Railway Digest November 1992 page 442 From November 1976, trains reverted to Tuscan red while ferries would revert to their Tuscan and green liveries in the 1980s.Blue & White Suburban Cars Railway Digest May 1977 page 105 In November 1979, a modified livery for locomotives was introduced with the colours on the Tuscan and yellow painted ends reverted.New Colour Scheme for Locomotives Railway Digest February 1980 page 47The Yellow End Paint Scheme Railway Digest May 1984 pages 76-78File:4491 in reverse livery broadmeadow loco 1990.jpg in the reverse yellow paint scheme]]The original logo had the letters NSW with arrows pointing east and west. It was replaced in 1975 by the L7 logo.PTC Logo Changes Railway Digest April 1975 page 6New symbol for PTC Network May 1975 page 4 It would continue to be used, albeit with different colours, on buses and ferries until 1989 and on trains until 2010.

In June 1974, the PTC took over the operation of Bowden's Bus Service route 79 from the Town Hall to Tamarama.Private Route Goes Electric Traction July 1974 page 12 In September 1975, the PTC began operating Denning coaches out of Dubbo when the Far West Express was replaced.Super Coaches for NSW Network September 1975 page 4Country rail branch lines now served by coaches Truck & Bus Transportation October 1975 page 130

While best remembered as an era of cutbacks, investment was made during the tenure of the Public Transport Commission with the following ordered:

Publication

The PTC published an in-house journal, Transport News, with the first edition published in November 1972.[https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB_RNSW110015549&context=L&vid=61SRA&lang=en_US&search_scope=Everything&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=default_tab&query=any,contains,Transport%20News&offset=0 Transport News] State Archives

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Rail management structures in New South Wales|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Bus companies of New South Wales

Category:Defunct government entities of New South Wales

Category:Ferry companies of New South Wales

Category:Railway companies of New South Wales

Category:Transport in New South Wales

Category:Transport companies established in 1972

Category:Transport companies disestablished in 1980

Category:1972 establishments in Australia

Category:1980 disestablishments in Australia