Delegates at CIHT’s event today heard how ‘Total Transport’ has the potential to cut cost, reduce carbon emissions and increase Customer service.

 

In January 2015 the Government announced a new £4 million Total Transport Pilot Fund to which local authorities in England could bid for supporting resources. Total Transport is viewed as providing a cross sector approach to the delivery of supported public road passenger transport services. 

 

Andrew Hugill, Director of Policy and Technical Affairs, CIHT said: 

 

“CIHT has supported this initiative and these pilot schemes have given us a real insight into some of the innovative thinking going on in our industry. One of the key benefits from this pilot has been in showing how important it is to communicate and collaborate with local partners in the delivery of transport.” 

 

“There are real advantages for transport providers that could lead to significant efficiencies in the way services are provided at the local level. The schemes reporting back have also shown an improved level of customer service for the end users.” 

 

Steve Blackmore, Head of Partnerships, Competition and Ticketing Policy, Department for Transport commented that Total Transport Pilots have shown how the pooling of resources, the removal of duplication and the reduction in the competition for (the same) local funding has been able to demonstrate real cost efficiencies on a number of the schemes.

 

At the event, Steve also revealed that the Department for Transport would be working with local authorities on how to improve engagement with NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) as this is vital to the success of total Transport. 

 

Additional speakers at the event revealed the benefits and opportunities there have been (and continue to be) in running Total Transport in Northamptonshire and Devon as well as the future vision for Total Transport.