News : New Chair in Public Transport
Fri 14th Sep 2007
Prof David Hensher, Vice Chancellor Gavin Brown and Transport Minister John Watkins
A new Chair in Public Transport will be established at the University, with help from State Government funding.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport, John Watkins said the academic who filled the Chair - subject to an independent appointment process including an international search - would contribute to the debate on transport solutions for Sydney's future.
"The Iemma Government is already actively pursuing integrated transport solutions to improve Sydney's public transport services," Mr Watkins said.
"The University of Sydney's decision to establish a dedicated Chair in Public Transport will mean a new voice in the academic transport community, potentially influencing full time professional planners and government decision makers.
"The Chair will be an independent voice for public transport, at arm's length from the Government's planners, who will be able to think outside the square, suggest new solutions to old problems and bring academic rigour to transport and planning debates," he said.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Gavin Brown, thanked the government for their financial support and underlined the independence of the position.
"This new Chair will be in the University's Institute of Transport and Logistic Studies and will provide strong, independent strategic advice especially regarding public transport development associated with Sydney and NSW."
Professor David Hensher, the Director of the Institute for Transport and Logistics Studies says the motivation for establishing a Chair in Public Transport has grown out of recognition that there is a need for some independent and ongoing framework within which the full agenda relevant to supporting public transport in a balanced transport system can be housed.
"A major objective is to increase knowledge and learning of public transport within the transport industrythrough research and educational activities including briefings, papers, workshops, training courses, opinion pieces and media commentary," he said.
Mr Watkins said the Government was also expanding its work on transport planning, with the recent establishment of the Centre for Transport Planning and Product Development (CTPPD), as part of the Premier's Urban Transport Statement, and while these plans were being formed, the Chair would be integral to injecting fresh and new ideas to the plans.
"I'm confident the Chair will, likewise, make a valuable contribution to Sydney's public transport debate," Mr Watkins said.
"That's why the Government is contributing to the funding of the Chair, with $200,000 committed annually for the next five years.
"It's important to note this will still not cover the University's costs, and the funding is entirely without obligation, as it's vital the Chair remain fully independent," he said.