Transport Connections Evaluation Report - TDSA

ABCD
Department of Human Services
Transport Connections Program
Government
July 2006
3 Transport Connections - the last 12 months
Throughout the second round of consultations, a range of stakeholders supported the TCP
projects – including local agencies, State Government representatives and, in most areas, local
transport providers. Benefits of TCP identified throughout the final consultations included the
following.
• The pilot projects have provided a way to break down barriers to transport issues and are a
focal point for communities to raise transport concerns.
• The TCP has empowered the community to effectively overcome and develop solutions to
transport issues.
• The pilot projects continue to raise awareness of transport options and are now a focus for
discussion of local transport issues.
• Access to transport in most areas has increased, for example, youth in Golden Connections,
local community of Mt Beauty and, where accessibility has improved, the independence of
individuals had also improved.
• Knowledge sharing and coordination across agencies and shires has continued to improve,
either in sharing of resources or input into strategic documents and planning.
• Governance at the statewide level has been critical to the success of the TCP, particularly
ensuring a “joined up” Government response to transport disadvantage through the
guidance of the four lead Government agencies.
• The TCP has allowed the community to identify practical solutions and strategies to assist
in the provision of transport services.
• Partnerships and coordination between agencies were reported many times by stakeholders
as improving over the last 12 months.
There were a number of tangible benefits identified over the last 12 months, including:
Increased services
• Development, trialling or refinement of 23 transport services across the nine pilot projects,
of which:
- nine are new route services
- seven are considered community transport initiatives
- five are opening capacity to the local community on the school bus network.
• Planning for seven new transport services is currently being undertaken, including pilot
services for:
- a twice weekly service between Donald and Horsham
- a weekly service between Woomelang and Swan Hill
- a Gisborne Dial-a-Ride service to meet the needs of Gisborne residents and provide a
link to the train station
- a service that will link the communities of Taradale, Elphinstone and Harcourt
- a trial of public access to the Bemm River school bus run to Orbost
- upgrading town services throughout the Bass Coast Shire, including Cowes to
Wonthaggi, Cape Paterson to Wonthaggi and Inverloch to Wonthaggi bus services.
Final Evaluation - Transport Connections Program 2006
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