What can be achieved with European Funding What can be achieved with European Funding? The Merseytravel Experience Neil Scales Merseytravel Chief Executive & Director General

Who are Merseytravel? Merseytravel is the Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority and Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive. Merseytravel is the public body which co-ordinates public transport across Merseyside. This includes: Bus Train Ferry Tunnels As well as Concessionary passes Stops, shelters and bus stations Ticketing Information Line ……. and much, much more!

Merseytravel’s European experience-demonstration projects Merseytravel’s involvement in European programmes started 14 years ago with the JUPITER project The project met a funding gap for the SMART initiative Through SMART Merseytravel introduced the first low-floor buses in the UK The project would not have been possible without EC funds JUPITER has been followed by a series of other projects in which Merseytravel have led and received over 8 million Euros

Merseytravel’s European experience-projects and networks In addition to demonstration projects, Merseytravel have also participated in a number of knowledge/best practice projects and networks These include PLUME, MATISSE, MAIN and ECLIPSE. Networks provide opportunities to exchange ideas and best practice with cities across Europe and China!

Merseytravel’s European experience- The benefits The benefits of participating in such projects include: Contributing to the implementation of sustainable mobility policies; Opportunity to exchange knowledge, ideas and experience; Enhancing the professional development of staff; and a project focus to the development of measures/policies.

Merseytravel EU Project Examples JUPITER I & II Objectives: to demonsrate the potential for reducing energy consumptioon and emmisions in urban areas by: Influencing modal shift Introducing new fuel efficient vehicles; Evaluating the use of alternative fuels. The projects ran between 1993 and 2000 with a total project cost of €100 million. The grant to Merseytravel was €4 million. Project Partners were from the UK, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Greece, France, and Germany

Merseytravel EU Project Examples JUPITER I & II Benefits for Liverpool included: An innovative quality bus service Fully accessible low flat-floor buses (1st in the UK) Real-time passenger information High quality passenger services Integrated traffic management with bus priority An electric bus service Pedestrianisation scheme Upgrading P&R service with CNG powered buses The success of the JUPITER projects led to the development of the CIVITAS programme

Merseytravel EU Project Examples CATCH This project ran from 2002-2005 with a total project cost of €5.7million. The grant to Merseytravel was €1.2 million. The project supported the EC’s Sixth Environmental Action Plan by promoting sustainable mobility through an innovative, partnership-based approach to transport related environmental policy Project Partners were from the UK, Romania and Italy Benefits for Liverpool included: A significant expansion in the use of clean vehicles; Introduction of a fleet of new electric/hybrid buses; and Implementing a air quality management plan.

MAIN Merseytravel EU Project Examples This project ran from 2003-2005 with a total project cost of €698.500. The grant to Merseytravel was €71,000. The project stimulated the enhancement of the urban transport infrastructure in China based on good European Practice in public transport telematics and sustainable mobility policies. Project Partners were from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Germany and China. Benefits for Merseytravel included: Sharing professional experience with colleagues; Providing training in Ningbo, China in June 2004; Professional staff development; and Cultural exchanges between Merseytravel and Ningbo.

PARTNER Merseytravel EU Project Examples The INTERREG IIIB PARTNER project ran from 2004-2007 with a total budget of €7.7 million. The grant to Merseytravel was €1.3 million. The project aimed to make it easy for people to travel to/from and around the Atlantic Area using a combination of local public transport and inter-regional transport services. Project Partners were from the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Spain and France The benefits included; Enhanced intermodal facilities at John Lennon Airport, Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool Ferry Port; and Enhanced bus and rail links between Liverpool city centre and Liverpool John Lennon Airport; The development of an Atlantic Area Seamless travel brand INTEGRA; An Atlantic Area travel information portal for the internet.

START Merseytravel EU Project Examples The €7.4 million INTERREG IVB START project began in 2009 and will be completed in 2011. The project follows the PARTNER project and continues the theme of promoting Seamless Travel across the Atlantic area Regions using sustainable Transport. Project partners from UK, France, Spain & Portugal. The transnational co-operation project will cover: Exploitation & promotion of the INTEGRA concept; Transformation of the INTEGRA portal from proto-type to product; Regional Journey planner development & inter-operability; Advanced traveller Informations Systems; Advanced ticketing systems (e.g. smartcards) Improvements of access to regional gateways. Benefits for Liverpool: Promotion of the INTEGRA concept; Funding for smartcard development and use for other services (e.g. tourist attractions)

MIDAS Merseytravel EU Project Examples MIDAS ran from 2006-2008 with a total project cost of €2.2mil. The grant to Merseytravel was €213,000. The project encourage the transfer of less energy intense modes of transport by optimising the use of soft measures Project Partners were from the UK, Denmark, Ireland, France, Italy, Romania and POLIS. Benefits included; Intensifying the use of existing soft measures through the provision of additional funding; The integration of MIDAS with Travelwise’s work; Professional development of staff; and Strengthening links with other European regions.

BIONIC Merseytravel EU Project Examples This project will run from 2007-2010 with a total project cost of €1.4mil The grant to Merseytravel was €163,000. The project aims to establish a series of regional networks aimed at increasing the take-up of biofuels in the transport sector. Best practice will be developed and circulated. Partners are from the UK, Sweden, Romania, Spain, Bulgaria and Belgium. The benefits included: - Establishing a North-West Biofuels Network with GMPTE, Cheshire, Halton, Lancashire, Liverpool and Manchester; and - Converting tunnel maintenance vehicles that run on diesel to biofuel

Thank you for your attention Neil Scales Merseytravel Chief Executive & Director General