Councils are beacons for local transport

People in different parts of the country are finding it easier to travel because of special initiatives by local transport authorities.

Five authorities have been chosen as Beacon Council award winners because other authorities can learn how to improve local public transport from them.

Transport Minister, Tony McNulty, has praised the authorities at the Better Local Public Transport conference in London in July. The conference was organised by the Beacon Council National Learning Exchange.

Commenting on the awards, he said:

"They've got some brilliant initiatives. It's at local level where most people experience public transport. Even the smallest charges here matter - a cleaner bus, more helpful staff, more regular transport services.

"The commitment that all five authorities have shown is making a real difference to people's lives."

The authorities are Halton Borough Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, Cambridgeshire Council, and Transport for London. Some of the authorities' schemes use transport to tackle social exclusion.

Promoting social inclusion

In Halton, North Cheshire, employees who have to get to work by 6am are doing so because of special bus services. Young people also have help to travel to schools and colleges at times to suit their needs.

In Telford, not only is car ownership relatively low but some people also live on estates five miles away from the town centre. The council has worked with the local bus operator to re-route some bus services to address people's needs. Since 1999, bus usage has increased by 14 per cent.

Improving transport for school children can reduce congestion caused by the school-run. This is happening in West Yorkshire through partnerships and developing the Yellow Bus Service. In fact, pilot studies show that half of the bus service's passengers would otherwise be going to school by car.

People in Cambridge are now finding it easier to travel in and out of the city because of a park and ride scheme, bus priority lanes and traffic restraint measures.

Transport for London is tackling crime and the fear of crime through a unique partnership with the police.

Support for local councils

Before the recently announced increases in general transport spending, the department, last December, granted £1.9 billion to local councils for transport for this financial year. Local authorities also receive funding from the department from special initiatives such as the rural and urban bus challenge.

The Beacon Council Scheme seeks to drive up the standards of local services by spreading the lessons learned by the very best performers. It is managed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

During the year, the five Beacon Councils will be sharing the lessons of their excellent practice with other councils through a range of learning activities, including seminars and open days.

Mr McNulty's speech at the Better Local Public Transport Conference

Published: 26 July 2004.