Councillor Dennis Knowles
Councillor Dennis Knowles. Kate Sturgess. Policy Context. Introduction to European Policy and Impact on Transport on Merseyside. Neil Scales Chief Executive and Director General Merseytravel. Merseytravel.
Councillor Dennis Knowles
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Presentation Transcript
Introduction to European Policy and Impact on Transport on Merseyside Neil Scales Chief Executive and Director General Merseytravel
Merseytravel Co-ordinate public transport and act in partnership with private operators to provide public transport across Merseyside • Subsidise socially necessary bus services • Fund and specify service levels on the rail network • Fund free travel for the elderly and disabled • Operate pre-paid ticketing schemes • Provide information • Maintain bus shelters and bus stations • Own and operate Mersey Ferries and Mersey Tunnels
Baseline Situation • Merseyside is leaving a period of post-industrial decline • Fabric of region is changing and services available not meeting current needs • Serious economic, social and environmental problems to be addressed • Merseyside has Objective 1 status • Transport plays a key role in regeneration
European Transport Initiatives Merseytravel has been successful in securing European funding for a number of transport projects. • PLUME (2002-2005) - Funded under 5th Framework programme as part of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Research Programme - Looking at best practice in organisation of land use and transport measures - Would hope to influence 7th Framework Research Programme
MAPLE (2003-2004) - Funded by European Commission DG for Employment and Social Affairs - aimed to promote the mobility, and encourage the social inclusion, of people with learning disabilities and people with mental health problems - produced best practice guidelines • STIMULUS (1997-1999) - Funded by European Commission DG VII - aimed to identifying different types of transport user according to their psychological profiles - developed new analysis techniques for measuring public attitudes and motivations with reference to different transport strategies
JUPITER-2 (1997-2000) - Funded by European Commission DG Energy - Aimed to use innovative vehicle technologies together with integrated traffic management and support measures to reduce level of energy use and pollutant emissions - On Merseyside resulted in: - 6 electric buses in Birkenhead - 4 CNG buses in Southport - 11 buses fuelled with ultra-low sulphur diesel and fitted with continuously regenerating particulate traps - Extension of real-time information - All branded as ‘SMART-eco’
Conclusions • European policies and resultant funding has enabled Merseytravel to: • Research new marketing techniques • Produce best practice policy guidelines • Introduce new vehicle technologies • Network with and learn from other European partners All of which benefit the travelling public on Merseyside!