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Councillor Dennis Knowles. Kate Sturgess. Policy Context. Introduction to European Policy and Impact on Transport on Merseyside. Neil Scales Chief Executive and Director General Merseytravel. Merseytravel.
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Introduction to European Policy and Impact on Transport on Merseyside Neil Scales Chief Executive and Director General Merseytravel
Merseytravel Co-ordinate public transport and act in partnership with private operators to provide public transport across Merseyside • Subsidise socially necessary bus services • Fund and specify service levels on the rail network • Fund free travel for the elderly and disabled • Operate pre-paid ticketing schemes • Provide information • Maintain bus shelters and bus stations • Own and operate Mersey Ferries and Mersey Tunnels
Baseline Situation • Merseyside is leaving a period of post-industrial decline • Fabric of region is changing and services available not meeting current needs • Serious economic, social and environmental problems to be addressed • Merseyside has Objective 1 status • Transport plays a key role in regeneration
European Transport Initiatives Merseytravel has been successful in securing European funding for a number of transport projects. • PLUME (2002-2005) - Funded under 5th Framework programme as part of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Research Programme - Looking at best practice in organisation of land use and transport measures - Would hope to influence 7th Framework Research Programme
MAPLE (2003-2004) - Funded by European Commission DG for Employment and Social Affairs - aimed to promote the mobility, and encourage the social inclusion, of people with learning disabilities and people with mental health problems - produced best practice guidelines • STIMULUS (1997-1999) - Funded by European Commission DG VII - aimed to identifying different types of transport user according to their psychological profiles - developed new analysis techniques for measuring public attitudes and motivations with reference to different transport strategies
JUPITER-2 (1997-2000) - Funded by European Commission DG Energy - Aimed to use innovative vehicle technologies together with integrated traffic management and support measures to reduce level of energy use and pollutant emissions - On Merseyside resulted in: - 6 electric buses in Birkenhead - 4 CNG buses in Southport - 11 buses fuelled with ultra-low sulphur diesel and fitted with continuously regenerating particulate traps - Extension of real-time information - All branded as ‘SMART-eco’
Conclusions • European policies and resultant funding has enabled Merseytravel to: • Research new marketing techniques • Produce best practice policy guidelines • Introduce new vehicle technologies • Network with and learn from other European partners All of which benefit the travelling public on Merseyside!