Travel Choices
Travel Choices Programme
LSTF Conference- 4th December 2013
Helen Ramsden
Head of Travel Choices
Travel Choices
Programme Context
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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…
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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
Travel advice for Businesses
Objective
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Enabling sustainable commuting/Unlocking benefits to
businesses
Interventions
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Tailored 1-2-1 support for priority businesses
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Practical support to undertake staff surveys, site audits
and develop action plans
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Self-help materials and access to workshops for smaller
businesses
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Exclusive incentive package-ticketing offers, carsharing
tool, bespoke cycling training and maintenance courses
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Access to sustainable travel grants up to £10,000
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On site personal travel planning for employees
Travel Choices
Travel Support for Jobseekers
Objective
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Build confidence and broaden travel horizons and job search areas
for jobseekers
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Support jobseekers’ travel requirements in initial stages of
employment
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Enable sustainable and low cost travel options for jobseekers
Interventions
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Travel Training for frontline staff at Jobcentre Plus and Primes
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Travel surgeries and personal travel planning support
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Bike Back 2 Work scheme
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Travel support to job interviews and during the initial stages of
employment
Travel Choices
Travel support for commuters
Objectives
- Encourage individuals to make more sustainable
travel choices
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Optimise the uptake of sustainable transport
improvements including new Metrolink lines,
cycle routes, Local Link services
Interventions
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Personal Travel Planning for commuters and
residents
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Community based activities
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Commuter challenges
Travel Choices
So what does this mean in practice…
….How are we delivering outcomes through
partnership working
Travel Choices
Creating Travel Champions
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TfGM offer training to frontline staff from
Jobcentres Plus and partner organisations
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As Travel Champion they receive bespoke
training, on going support and the tools to
share their training with others
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Dual benefits:
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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
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Up to 24,000 bus and tram tickets made available
to jobseekers
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By working with GMTL and securing a significant
discount we have been able to double the
number of tickets being made available to
jobseekers
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We are also better positioned to develop a
commercial BAU proportion beyond the current
LSTF funding horizon.
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Win Win arrangement - embedding sustainable
travel habit in new customers for operators as
well as removing transport barriers for jobseekers
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Great value for money-with every £1 we provide,
being matched by £3 from GMTL
Travel Choices
Cycle Partnerships
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Providing free recycled bikes for jobseekers as part of
the Bike Back 2 Work scheme
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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
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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:
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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
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Identify common goals, mutual wins and shared added value-this is the
glue that will keep the partnership together
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The best partnerships build on each partner bringing their strengths to
the table-understand and respect the expertise that others can bring
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Beware of staff changes – a partnership should be with an organisation
not just an individual
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Share the praise and spotlight when things go well-but also be
prepared to stand side by side if they don’t
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Identify quick wins where possible
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Understand your partners wider agenda – this should be a two way
process
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Review the partnership regularly – if something isn't working, say so. If
responsibilities need reassigning, reassign them. Be flexible
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Last but not least it’s the little things that count