Continuous Improvement Seek continuous improvement in all aspects of transport performance: improve both the overall journey speeds for, and the predictability of journey times of, public transport. To ensure public transport services are punctual and reliable we will: – Actively promote priority for public transport where road space is shared with other vehicles Work with bus and rail operators to develop ticketing systems that reduce boarding times Endorse the Traffic Commissioners’ performance targets for bus services and work with operators to facilitate their delivery Reduce journey times in key corridors through segregation and priority Meet customer driven performance targets for Metro Work with operators of inter-urban rail and air service to reduce overall journey times between town and city centres Increased opportunity Maintain and increase the travel opportunities afforded by the public transport network: make public transport services available where they are most needed, at the times when they are most needed, as identified using appropriate surveys and market research. We will: – Prioritise the provision of key links to employment, health care facilities and local shopping centres for those without access to a car Encourage the provision of high quality public transport on main traffic corridors to better meet the rising aspirations of existing and potential passengers and which make public transport the mode of choice Increase the number and improve the quality of public transport interchanges Work with local authorities and developers to ensure new developments are well served by public transport from the start of occupation Provide travel opportunities for potential passengers who do not live adjacent to main transport corridors Continue to promote public transport in rural areas through the Tyne and Wear Rural Transport Partnership Develop the principle of “accessibility planning” throughout Tyne and Wear and work in partnership with operators, local authorities, Government agencies and others to better match services and needs Return to top Improving all aspects of public transport journeys Improve the acceptability of travel by public transport: improve all aspects of public transport journeys, in terms of the personal security of passengers, physical access, comfort of both vehicles and infrastructure and reducing anti-social behaviour, with local actions being developed through suitable public consultation techniques and by: – Providing, along with operators and local authorities, a monitored and recorded CCTV system covering all aspects of public transport Improving the passenger waiting environment by increasing the number and quality of bus shelters and Metro station facilities Improving safety, comfort and access at public transport interchanges Increasing passenger confidence in making public transport journeys by providing information about services in real time Working in partnership with operators to increase the quality, accessibility and cleanliness of vehicles Working through the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to reduce the incidence of anti-social behaviour on transport Working with local authorities and others to improve access to the public transport network Ensure public transport is affordable: promote and market appropriate fares and ticketing mechanisms informed by surveys and market research. We will: – Provide concessionary travel for the elderly Provide concessionary travel for young people Ensure the provision of concessionary travel for disabled people Continue to press Government for powers to provide concessionary travel for those other groups with low disposable incomes Encourage joint working with operators, including those outside Tyne and Wear, to develop integrated and value-added ticketing and payment systems (including Smartcards) Lobby national and local Government to reverse the increasing gap between the real costs of public transport and of driving a car Return to top Promote and influence Try and influence the relevant bodies to adopt policies and programmes which can contribute to the ITA’s objectives, and the wider objectives of regional, sub-regional and local partners: seek to influence the appropriate bodies in a way that will assist the following: – Implementation of a comprehensive demand management strategy across Tyne and Wear, which will be supported by the PTA through travel planning and a proactive approach to land use and transportation planning Adoption of an integrated approach to the measurement of operational safety in order to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries to people travelling Implementation of land use strategies that have regard to public transport accessibility Adoption of urban design measures to encourage walking and cycling Legislative change which will assist in the delivery of an efficient, effective, comprehensive and integrated public transport service Inform passengers about all aspects of the public transport network: promote public transport and provide or ensure that others provide relevant and accurate information about services by: – Providing timetable information at stops, stations and interchanges Promoting the use of the integrated public transport telephone enquiry service “Traveline” Providing printed timetables through partnership working with the operators Ensuring all public transport information meets the standards stated in the Tyne and Wear Bus Information Strategy and can be made available in alternative formats Making public transport information available in a variety of ways, including the Internet Marketing public transport as an alternative travel choice to the car Developing and promoting travel plans in partnership with operators and local authorities Enabling public transport staff to provide information directly to the customer Recognising that taxis are part of the public transport network
