1. Travel Choices Programme LSTF Conference- 4th December 2013 Helen Ramsden Head 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. So what are the interventions….
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 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 Metrolink lines, 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… …
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 operators as 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