Integrated Public Transport Strategy - Worcestershire County Council

Chapter 3 - Integrated Public Transport Strategy
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Integration of Public Transport, Social Services
Transport & Education Transport
The County Council has integrated all of its Passenger Transport functions into a single
unit which will co-ordinate all public, social services and education transport needs. This
will include 'clean sheet' reviews of provision in all areas of the County split into six major
reviews over the next 5 years. These reviews will be linked to the implementation of
BQP's and guided by best value principals to ensure availability, accessibility, affordability
and accessibility of the new services.
Rural and Community Transport
Maps 2.6 & 2.7 indicate the rural and community transport provision. The Rural Bus Grant
allocation of £675,500 per year 1998 - 2001 has enabled much improved services to the
more isolated rural areas of the County allowing residents to make essential shopping or
health care trips by public transport.
Community Transport services aim to meet the needs of people who are unable to use
conventional public transport due to mobility impairment or lack of service. The schemes
operate throughout the County and there are 5,000 regular users, each year performing
over 35,000 miles and providing 60,000 journeys.
‘Kickstart’ is a scheme that helps individuals who have difficulty in accessing work or
training. The scheme can provide advice, a moped loan, subsidised driving lessons and
small car maintenance grants. The scheme will be expanded though it likely to be
administered through Employers Travel Plans (see Chapter 7.)
The Rural Bus Challenge Bid for 2000/01 was successful in securing £36,500 to fund a
part-time Community Transport Officer to administer, promote and oversee a voluntary
escort service on some local bus services to help less mobile people to use them. This
scheme is aimed at helping people with limited mobility or a mental health problem to
have the confidence to use conventional bus services where they may have otherwise
relied on Community Transport or the County Council's Social Services' transport service.
Services that offer an escort will be promoted and well publicised through timetables,
parish newsletters and Community Groups.
Improvements to Rural Transport are being progressed through Rural Transport
Partnerships (RTP). The Rural Transport Partnership scheme promotes social inclusion
through enhancements in rural transport services and securing long-term accessibility for
rural people to jobs, services and social activity. Two Rural Transport Partnership Officers
are employed by the Community Council and are currently establishing local partnerships
and Action Plans for the districts of Wychavon and Malvern Hills. Redditch Borough
Council has joined up with the Wychavon scheme and Wyre Forest District Council is
currently considering funding an RTP for their area. The Partnerships work with agencies
in neighbouring areas both within Worcestershire and also in bordering Counties.