Travel Choices Programme LSTF Conference- 4 th December 2013 Helen Ramsden Head of Travel Choices

1. Travel Choices ProgrammeLSTF Conference- 4th December 2013Helen RamsdenHead of Travel Choices

2. Programme Context • 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

3. 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

4. Also about… • 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….

5. Travel advice for Businesses Objective • Enabling sustainable commuting/Unlocking benefits to businesses Interventions • Tailored 1-2-1 support for priority businesses • Practical support to undertake staff surveys, site audits and develop action plans • Self-help materials and access to workshops for smaller businesses • Exclusive incentive package-ticketing offers, carsharing tool, bespoke cycling training and maintenance courses • Access to sustainable travel grants up to £10,000 • On site personal travel planning for employees

6. Travel Support for Jobseekers Objective • Build confidence and broaden travel horizons and job search areas for jobseekers • Support jobseekers’ travel requirements in initial stages of employment • Enable sustainable and low cost travel options for jobseekers Interventions • Travel Training for frontline staff at Jobcentre Plus and Primes • Travel surgeries and personal travel planning support • Bike Back 2 Work scheme • Travel support to job interviews and during the initial stages of employment

7. Travel support for commuters Objectives • Encourage individuals to make more sustainable travel choices • Optimise the uptake of sustainable transport improvements including new Metrolinklines, cycle routes, Local Link services Interventions • Personal Travel Planning for commuters and residents • Community based activities • Commuter challenges

8. So what does this mean in practice… • ….How are we delivering outcomes through partnership working

9. Creating Travel Champions • TfGM offer training to frontline staff from Jobcentres Plus and partner organisations • As Travel Champion they receive bespoke training, on going support and the tools to share their training with others • Dual benefits: • 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”

10. Working with operators • Up to 24,000 bus and tram tickets made available to jobseekers • By working with GMTL and securing a significant discount we have been able to double the number of tickets being made available to jobseekers • We are also better positioned to develop a commercial BAU proportion beyond the current LSTF funding horizon. • Win Win arrangement - embedding sustainable travel habit in new customers for operatorsas well as removing transport barriers for jobseekers • Great value for money-with every £1 we provide, being matched by £3 from GMTL

11. Cycle Partnerships • Providing free recycled bikes for jobseekers as part of the Bike Back 2 Work scheme • 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 • Dual benefits: • Providing with low cost, sustainable travel options to jobseekers • Providing training to 300 jobseekers via voluntary organisation, improving skills, confidence and employability

12. Putting partnership first Through partnership working we have been able to: • 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

13. Top tips • Identify common goals, mutual wins and shared added value-this is the glue that will keep the partnership together • The best partnerships build on each partner bringing their strengths to the table-understand and respect the expertise that others can bring • Beware of staff changes – a partnership should be with an organisation not just an individual • Share the praise and spotlight when things go well-but also be prepared to stand side by side if they don’t • Identify quick wins where possible • Understand your partners wider agenda – this should be a two way process • Review the partnership regularly – if something isn't working, say so. If responsibilities need reassigning, reassign them. Be flexible • Last but not least it’s the little things that count