Ministerial Statement: NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR TRANSPORT TICKETING AUTHORITY

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Media release
From the Minister for Public Transport

Wednesday, 10 February, 2010

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR TRANSPORT TICKETING AUTHORITY

The Victorian Government today announced the appointment of a new chief executive for the Transport Ticketing Authority to complete the roll out of myki across all modes.

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said the new chief executive would be supported with extra expertise for the ticketing authority and the private contractor, Kamco, would assist in the transition from project delivery to full operations.

Mr Pakula said Mr Bernie Carolan, the current head of the public transport marketing body Metlink would replace Mr Gary Thwaites as the TTA's chief executive, starting immediately.

"As the current Metlink chief executive, Mr Carolan has overall responsibility for providing public transport services with coordinated information about ticketing, fares and services," Mr Pakula said.

"A large part of the TTA's function will be transferred to Metlink when myki is fully operational and Mr Carolan's appointment will support that transition."

As part of the leadership changes, the Department of Transport will provide extra assistance to the Transport Ticketing Authority. To further support the rollout of myki steps will also be taken to strengthen the board.

Mr Pakula thanked the outgoing ticketing authority chief executive Gary Thwaites for his contribution, hard work and dedication to the project over a number of years.

Contractor Kamco have deployed a team of experts from overseas to identify and fix a range of issues which have stopped Kamco from meeting its contractual requirements to deliver myki.

"The Government is obviously frustrated that the contractor has not met its contractual requirements to deliver myki," Mr Pakula said.

"Kamco has flown in experts from overseas to help resolve outstanding issues and get myki working on all modes."

Mr Pakula yesterday met with the president and chief executive of Kamco's parent company, Keane. Mr Pakula said Keane and its subsidiary Kamco had both committed to adding extra resources to get myki fully operational across Victoria.

"The Victorian Government and the ticketing authority are determined to work with Kamco to get the myki roll-out completed so commuters can enjoy the full benefits of myki," he said.