First Safe Journey Card

First, the UK’s leading bus operator, takes the health and safety of our customers very seriously. While the bus remains one of the safest forms of transport around, we recognise that some customers may have a fear of falling and we are keen to support them. 

In 2009 we worked closely with the charity Age UK (formerly Help the Aged and Age Concern) on a campaign to highlight the steps that customers can take to ensure that they stay safe when they are out and about on the bus. 

We produced a special Safe Journey Card, which customers can use to alert bus drivers to any special needs they may have, for instance a hearing or speech problem. 

There are several versions of the Safe Journey Card so customers can choose the one that best suits their particular needs.

Safe Journey Cards are available to download from First’s website: www.firstgroup.com/safejourney

Merseyside Transport Partnership closes in on Government funding

Merseyside Transport Partnership (MTP) has been invited to prepare and submit a business case for their Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) proposal - Supporting Sustainable Access to Opportunity in Merseyside.

The bid is for nearly £28m funding from LSTF, including the £4.87m already secured through the key component bid
Merseytravel, as the lead authority, are the only Integrated Transport Authority to be asked to submit a full business case based on their initial proposal.

MTP now have until 20th December 2011 to submit the full business case to the Department for Transport. The final funding decision for large projects will be made by June 2012.

The areas for investment are grouped into four main distinct, complementary elements, delivered over three years (from 2012);

Working with employers - A programme of support activity to assist employers as they seek to raise levels of sustainable access to their places of work for new and existing members of staff;

Travel Solutions - Support for members of the public wishing to access employment and training, but who may currently experience barriers to accessing public transport or travel by other modes;

Sustainable Transport Infrastructure - A complementary package of infrastructure improvements aimed at addressing physical barriers to travelling to employment opportunities by sustainable modes.

Bus services - A package of measures to better serve the needs of the Merseyside residents including, route enhancements, alternative fuels and new technology, improved reliability and dedicated priority schemes, and supporting infrastructure for smarter journey choices.

Mark Dowd, Chairman of Merseytravel welcomed the announcement saying; “This shows how we, as the transport authority, can co-ordinate the various interested parties across Merseyside into supporting the wider aims and ambitions of providing a fully integrated, sustainable, environmentally friendly, transport network that is accessible to all.”

The successful bid was formed by the contribution of business and other interested groups from across the whole of the Merseyside, including the voluntary sector, various NHS bodies, transport operators, Universities and private enterprise.

The Department for Transport were impressed at the involvement of the regions various Chambers of Commerce as delivery partners.
Neil Scales, Chair of MTP, and also Chair of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce added; “We worked hard with our partners to develop a plan that provides sustainable transport choices for individuals and business across the region, and this LSTF award, along with our secured investment will allow us to start delivering.

“The Department for Transport were particularly interested in our proposals for working with employers and the private sector to support access to jobs through low carbon travel, and likewise, the support we received from across the area was phenomenal and we now look forward to the challenge of delivering our objectives.”