Transport Connections Evaluation Report - TDSA

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ABCD Department of Human Services Transport Connections Program Government July 2006 3.4 Significant changes since the mid term evaluation Since the mid term evaluation, there have been a range of significant advancements, including the following. • The focus on information provision has reduced, as evidenced by data returns to the end of May 2006, where most initiatives had as their primary aim either planning for solutions, developing solutions or implementing transport options. This would be expected due to the progression of the pilot project life cycle over the three year timeframe. • Increased support from a range of stakeholders as initiatives begin to be developed and trialled, particularly in some areas where local government, State Government regional offices and local agencies have realised the benefits that the TCP can provide to individuals and communities. • A shift in the Hume Transport Links pilot project operating structure, based on the learnings from other projects, and the findings of the mid term evaluation. This has seen the pilot project undertake more community consultation, needs assessment, stakeholder engagement and development activities to extend the focus of the pilot from one large initiative (the ConnectaBus) to undertaking smaller activities to garner community support and engagement. • A focus on transport issues in rural and regional areas at a statewide level, and an increasing recognition that greater flexibility is required within the regulatory framework to enable a more responsive approach to local needs and circumstances. An example of this flexibility is demonstrated in the country taxi review and in other State Government initiatives, such as the release of the statewide policy document Meeting our Transport Challenges. 3.5 Conclusion Overall, the TCP has utilised a range of strategies to respond to transport disadvantage. Stakeholders were positive about the impact the program was having on individuals and the communities in which they operate, and that the projects should continue into the future to address and respond to transport disadvantage. Final Evaluation - Transport Connections Program 2006 17 © 2006 KPMG, an Australian partnership, is part of the KPMG International network. KPMG International is a Swiss cooperative. All rights reserved. The KPMG logo and name are trademarks of KPMG.
ABCD Department of Human Services Transport Connections Program Government July 2006 4 Overall findings of the evaluation “Improving transport connections between communities will give Victorians access to jobs and services, as well as their family and friends.” Meeting our Transport Challenges This section outlines the key outcomes and overall findings of the evaluation. It brings together the findings from the mid term evaluation and the final evaluation to draw a conclusion, and is discussed at the statewide, local and individual user level. 4.1 Outcomes at the statewide level In line with the mid term evaluation findings, common feedback from evaluation participants, particularly local agencies and external stakeholders such as Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), Victorian Council Of Social Services (VCOSS) and Local Government Association of Victoria, centred around the pilot projects successfully raising the profile of transport disadvantage, and attempting to influence change at both local and systemic barriers. 4.1.1 Identification of transport disadvantage within communities Local working groups and transport advisory groups continue to meet and discuss local transport related issues. As discussed in the mid term evaluation, the focus of these groups is tailored to incorporate all issues associated with transport disadvantage. Complementing this strategy is a focus on regional forums to bring together relevant stakeholders to focus not only on local communities, but how they fit within a regional environment. A current example of this is the Upper Hume Regional Transport Forum that incorporates important stakeholders, such as transport operators, local government, community health and transport, DHS, DVC and DOI. This group has met five times and will provide ongoing and sustainable dialogue at a regional level (post the pilot project), as all partners have committed and signed the Terms of Reference to ensure a continued focus. As stated by the TCP coordinator, “the RTF (Regional Transport Forum) is placed in an ideal position to provide for ongoing improvements, the development of benchmarks and standards suitable for transport users and providers alike.” In bringing together regional forums and local working groups, the pilot projects have also included State Government representatives from those agencies that can influence better outcomes for transport disadvantaged individuals. In particular, some stakeholders (including local steering committees) commented that support received from DOI regionally had improved and contributed significantly to developing and implementing appropriate solutions over the last 12 months. The common issues relating to transport disadvantage across particular groups, communities and transport provision remain consistent with the mid term evaluation findings, however having identified the issues, pilot projects are beginning to address these, in conjunction with State Government agencies. These are issues such as: • transport gaps for young people have been addressed by Bass Coast, Golden Connections, and Let’s GET Connected Final Evaluation - Transport Connections Program 2006 18 © 2006 KPMG, an Australian partnership, is part of the KPMG International network. KPMG International is a Swiss cooperative. All rights reserved. The KPMG logo and name are trademarks of KPMG.
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Transport Connections Evaluation Report - TDSA

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