Staff Notice No. 2002/08

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New Arrangements for Air Travel

The University is pleased to announce that it has entered into agreements for the provision of air travel for all official University business with a consortium of universities led by Travelfix Pty Ltd.

Since the demise of the previous travel agreement on September 14, 2001 the University has experienced a very significant increase in the cost of University travel. This has had deleterious effects on divisional travel budgets. Significant savings and better service are expected to result from the new arrangements.

As part of the new deal STA Travel has been appointed to provide a full travel service for the University with an increased service level for University travellers.

As with the previous travel arrangements, all air travel by staff on official University business is required to be booked through STA Travel (UC campus branch). In giving service, STA Travel has undertaken to provide University travellers with best options for travel including the quote of a Qantas fare, a University fare and, if a better option exists with another airline, then that fare. The new arrangements should result in very favourable air fares being possible with special rates having been negotiated with Qantas for domestic and international travel. Travellers will also be able to elect to travel Virgin or other airlines if more favourable arrangements are possible. STA Travel will match current fares available over the internet, but travellers are advised to consider carefully whether the restricted nature of such tickets will meet their needs before opting for such a least cost fare option.

In the circumstance where a staff member considers that STA Travel cannot match a written quote from another travel agency then a case, in writing, may be made to the Executive Director, Corporate Services, for travel to be purchased from the cheaper source. If you are unhappy with the service provided by STA Travel, advice about the circumstances of the case are to be made in writing to the Office of the Executive Director, Corporate Services. All such matters will be investigated promptly and the University will take up all shortfalls in service level performance with the provider.

Staff requiring official travel are invited to refresh their knowledge of the University procedures for undertaking travel by visiting the travel policy and procedures on the University web site at: http://www.canberra.edu.au/finance/travel/travel.html

The new arrangement will also be available for University staff to undertake private travel at very favourable rates through STA Travel (UC campus branch).

The new travel agreements will be reviewed quarterly and the performance of the provider will be measured against agreed criteria. The University welcomes the new arrangements and looks forward to an excellent service from STA Travel.

Susan Hemphill and her team from the UC branch of STA Travel look forward to providing an excellent service to all University travellers.

Adrian Westerman
Executive Director, Corporate Services                                   

28 June 2002