Projects
AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
The Challenge
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 required the delivery of complex, multi‑city bus and fleet transport operations within secure, high‑pressure tournament environments supported by on-ground teams. TMS embedded senior leaders as Host City Transport Managers (HCTMs) within the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Transport function to support the implantation of the LOC’s operating model. The original scope was for Bus and Fleet Services, supported by on‑ground operations required to liaise with suppliers, monitor service delivery and act as the conduit between TMS and the LOC central planning.
As tournament operations commenced additional resourcing and services were urgently required and called for transition from a centrally planned transport model to a decentralised host‑city operation, with on‑ground teams assuming direct responsibility for bookings, fleet allocation and daily movement requests.
This shift occurred alongside the rollout of a new transport technology platform and under increasing operational pressure, including culturally diverse international teams managing language and geopolitical sensitivities, VVIP and stakeholder movements, vehicle access and parking controls (VAPPs), protest‑related crowd impacts, and heightened political tension affecting workforce welfare.
The challenge was to adapt governance, systems and roles in real time while maintaining national consistency, service standards and security requirements.
The Approach
Drawing on our decades of event transport experience and capability as the bus and fleet service provider, TMS proposed the implantation of a new operating model. The embedded HCTMs Ian Clark‑Parry and Zara Trengrove expanded their remit to lead decentralised, on‑ground delivery, directly managing bookings, fleet operations and daily movements across airports, hotels, training sites and venues. Working closely with central planning, they enabled rapid adjustments to schedules, resources and systems, strengthening local responsiveness, supporting TMS in the overall Bus and Fleet service delivery while preserving central oversight for the LOC.
The Results
Strengthening Resilience Through Decentralised Delivery
The transition to a decentralised delivery model strengthened operational resilience and decision‑making at host‑city level. Bus and fleet operations were delivered safely, reliably and without material disruption, sensitive movements were managed effectively, and workforce welfare was prioritised. A structured staffing close‑out and feedback process captured lessons learned, reinforcing TMS’s capability to adapt, lead and deliver complex major event transport operations under evolving conditions.
The Conclusion
Our success with the NSW Seniors Festival demonstrates how proper integration of consulting, project management, and operational delivery can create transport solutions that become invisible to attendees in the best possible way. When transport works seamlessly, patrons can focus entirely on enjoying the event itself, knowing that their journey to and from the venue is being managed by professionals who understand that every interaction matters.
