OTSI works with a range of agencies and organisations in NSW, across Australia and overseas to improve transport safety.
Transport operators, manufacturers and suppliers
OTSI works with the operators (providers) of bus, ferry and rail passenger services, and rail freight services in NSW.
In our work with operators we:
receive and respond to safety occurrence notifications, including deploying to incident or accident sites
review investigation reports prepared by transport operators to better understand safety issues, provide feedback and to identify safety insights that could be shared
liaise with individuals and organisations identified as a Directly Involved Party in an investigation, including issuing formal information requests and seeking feedback on the draft investigation report
make recommendations and highlight safety issues or actions to operators
In our work with manufacturers and other suppliers we:
request information related to safety incidents and issues to understand causes and risks
liaise with individuals and organisations identified as a Directly Involved Party in an investigation, including issuing formal information requests and seeking feedback on the draft investigation report
make recommendations and highlight safety issues or actions directed to manufacturers and suppliers
seeking clarification or additional information on incident reports received by OTSI (different arrangements for supplying data apply for each mode – see Notifiable Occurrences)
liaising with individuals and organisations identified as a Directly Involved Party in an investigation, including issuing formal information requests and seeking feedback on the draft investigation report
engaging on known and emerging safety risks to identify solutions
making formal recommendations for regulators to implement safety actions following an OTSI investigation
collaborating through safety promotion activities.
Transport for NSW
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) leads the development of safe, integrated and efficient transport systems for NSW including transport planning, strategy, policy, procurement and other non-service delivery functions across all modes of transport – roads, rail, ferries, light rail and point to point. TfNSW is the bus safety regulator managing the Bus Operator Accreditation Scheme (BOAS). It specifies contracts for public passenger transport services and oversees the procurement of transport assets.
OTSI maintains an ongoing dialogue with TfNSW to highlight safety issues for action. We have a memorandum of understanding with TfNSW which outlines the roles and responsibilities of the two agencies and sets out the terms under which both agencies will cooperate, collaborate and share information.
Other organisations
OTSI engages with a variety of other organisations as part of its investigations and safety promotion.
These include:
Industry bodies such as BusNSW, the Rail Industry Safety and Standards board, Bus Industry Confederation, Australasian Railway Association, TrackSAFE and Commercial Vessels Association
Unions including the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Transport Workers Union, Maritime Union of Australia, and Australian Martime Officers Union.
Other government agencies (such as NSW Police, NSW Fire and Rescue and the Coroner).
For more information on the work we do and our commitment to safety promotion, see What we do.
The Office of Transport Safety Investigations recognises and celebrates the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and care of Country. We pay respect to traditional custodians and Elders past and present.