Travel Choices

Travel Choices ProgrammeLSTF Conference- 4th December 2013

Helen RamsdenHead of Travel Choices

Travel Choices

Programme Context- New area of work for TfGM- Funded by LSTF and local contributions- Commuter Cycling Project is a fully integrated part of Travel Choices

Programme- Strong synergies with the Velocity 2025 programme- Links with TfGM business as usual activities

- Communications and marketing - Infrastructure investment programme- Metrolink

Travel Choices

What is the Travel Choices programme all about? - Supporting sustainable economic growth- Encouraging sustainable commuting and business travel- Improving access to employment by removing transport barriers - Broadening travel horizons of jobseekers

Travel Choices

Also about…- Using the infrastructure investment programme as a catalyst for people to

think about their travel choices and positively change the way they travel- Working in partnership with businesses, local communities, district

councils and delivery partners- Building capacity and embedding expertise within TfGM and partner

organisations- Complementing other TfGM services and demonstrating added value to

the wider TfGM investment programme - Identifying opportunities to support Districts, delivery partners and

stakeholders- Forward planning beyond 2015

So what are the interventions….

Travel Choices

Objective

- Enabling sustainable commuting/Unlocking benefits to businesses

Interventions- Tailored 1-2-1 support for priority businesses

- Practical support to undertake staff surveys, site audits and develop action plans

- Self-help materials and access to workshops for smaller businesses

- Exclusive incentive package-ticketing offers, carsharing tool, bespoke cycling training and maintenance courses

- Access to sustainable travel grants up to £10,000

- On site personal travel planning for employees

Travel advice for Businesses

Travel Choices

Travel Support for JobseekersObjective- Build confidence and broaden travel horizons and job search

areas for jobseekers- Support jobseekers’ travel requirements in initial stages of

employment- Enable sustainable and low cost travel options for jobseekers

Interventions- Travel Training for frontline staff at Jobcentre Plus and Primes - Travel surgeries and personal travel planning support - Bike Back 2 Work scheme- Travel support to job interviews and during the initial stages of

employment

Travel Choices

Objectives- Encourage individuals to make more sustainable

travel choices- Optimise the uptake of sustainable transport

improvements including new Metrolink lines, cycle routes, Local Link services

Interventions

- Personal Travel Planning for commuters and residents

- Community based activities - Commuter challenges

Travel support for commuters

Travel Choices

So what does this mean in practice…

….How are we delivering outcomes through partnership working

Travel Choices

Creating Travel Champions- TfGM offer training to frontline staff from

Jobcentres Plus and partner organisations

- As Travel Champion they receive bespoke training, on going support and the tools to share their training with others

- Dual benefits:- Building capacity and embedding

expertise amongst frontline staff- Providing better travel information to

jobseekers in a cost effective way- Uptake of the training has been

exceptional with over 140 frontline staff becoming travel champions

“Jobseeker has potential job in Macclesfield. He was going to

refuse the job as he thought the bus service stopped at 5.00pm. Using

the knowledge I gained in training, I showed him how to use the route

planner. He’s now going to continue with the job”

 

Travel Choices

Working with operators- Up to 24,000 bus and tram tickets made available

to jobseekers- By working with GMTL and securing a significant

discount we have been able to double the number of tickets being made available to jobseekers

- We are also better positioned to develop a commercial BAU proportion beyond the current LSTF funding horizon.

- Win Win arrangement - embedding sustainable travel habit in new customers for operators as well as removing transport barriers for jobseekers

- Great value for money-with every £1 we provide, being matched by £3 from GMTL

Travel Choices

Cycle Partnerships- Providing free recycled bikes for jobseekers as part of

the Bike Back 2 Work scheme - Three way partnership:

- TfGM – coordination and funding- Jobcentre Plus– referrals and promotion via off

flow interview - Cycle Recycle organisations – provision of

recycled bikes and training

- Dual benefits:- Providing with low cost, sustainable travel

options to jobseekers- Providing training to 300 jobseekers via voluntary

organisation, improving skills, confidence and employability

Travel Choices

Putting partnership first

Through partnership working we have been able to:

- Add value and increase our capacity to deliver- Embed and mainstream activity within delivery

partners- Add another dimension to what we are trying to

achieve- Reach new audiences and identify new opportunities - Utilise trusted sources to give people information- Share their experiences, insights and expertise

Travel Choices

Top tips- Identify common goals, mutual wins and shared added value-this is the

glue that will keep the partnership together - The best partnerships build on each partner bringing their strengths to the

table-understand and respect the expertise that others can bring- Beware of staff changes – a partnership should be with an organisation not

just an individual - Share the praise and spotlight when things go well-but also be prepared to

stand side by side if they don’t - Identify quick wins where possible- Understand your partners wider agenda – this should be a two way process- Review the partnership regularly – if something isn't working, say so. If

responsibilities need reassigning, reassign them. Be flexible- Last but not least it’s the little things that count