Transport Implementation Plan

Louth Transport Study: Implementation Group Date: 18th February, 2013 Introduction - Our Approach As a group, our aim in addressing transport issues for older people is to: increase social interaction and less isolation, create greater levels of independent living, and improve transport availability for older people

for service providers: better or more services with cost containment or possible savings. To be realistic, as a working assumption, we are seeking to develop new approaches on the basis of no additional costs to the State. Our approach to date has been to brainstorm the recommendations take each of them and order them in terms of priority and on the basis of what is achievable in the short term and in the medium term. Identify any other ideas/experience 1

The terms of reference we settled on were â&#x20AC;&#x153;To strengthen existing and develop new local transport networks/services for the benefit of older people, as a result to make local communities more inclusive, using existing public, private and voluntary infrastructure and resources. â&#x20AC;&#x153;

At an early stage, we felt it would be useful to identify geographic locations for pilot projects and, based on the experience of members, we agreed on Ardee and Drogheda as urban areas and Clogherhead and Carlingford as rural areas within the county. These pilot areas could, at a later stage, prompt similar initiatives in other areas of the county, based on the experience gained. The working assumption is that there will be no additional costs on the State. The aim is to achieve better value with the existing resources available. The group does not envisage acting as a lobby group but wishes to stress the importance of maintaining existing services including the free travel pass for those aged over 65.

Implementation of Report Recommendations

1. High Level Actions

(a) establishment of a Louth Transport Planning and Co-ordination Committee (LTPCC) among the key stakeholders, building on structures that already exist;

(b) preparation of an agreed passenger transport strategy and action plan based on the work for this report and other inputs;

(d) further evolution of this into functions including procurement co-ordination, establishment of a transport broker service;

(e) the transport co-ordination function should be funded by the agencies involved, in particular that the current RTI co-ordination resources could be diverted to this wider county-level function.

Actions:

We felt that to move straight into a transport strategy for the county was too early and beyond our remit. However, we hope to have an input into the next County Development Plan will commence in 2013 and also the next CDB Strategy. Issues regarding the transport needs of older people can be taken into account at that time.

We felt there was a quick win to be gained by providing on the Louth Age Friendly County website a â&#x20AC;&#x17E;transport tabâ&#x20AC;&#x; which would provide a link to a map of all established transport links in the county and which would in turn link to the website of the main transport providers including Irish Rail, Bus Eireann, Matthews Coaches, other private bus operators and taxi services. This has now been done.

Action: deliver a mapping exercise To be delivered by: Louth County Council Progress to date: Action with retired Engineer has failed. Next step is to get LCC to undertake the task.

A resource will need to be identified in time to turn this information into a suitable journey planner facility for County Louth, as there is currently no comparable facility available anywhere in the country. The NTA (National Transport Authority/Ms. Marion Wilson) has already launch the National Journey Planner (add reference to our AFC website) and the next step is to develop a journey planner for the County which links into the National Journey Planner. Action: Louth County Council

A further Mapping exercise will take place to identify 1) where older people are located in County Louth and 2) where the transport services are provided in the County. These details will be obtained from data provided by the Gardai, HSE, Netwell Centre Cúltaca and the Rural Transport Programme. To be delivered by: We have now identified statistics in relation to the location of older people in Co. Louth and the next task is to review this data together with where transport services are provided to see if there is a good fit/match. The plan is to ask the “Jobsbridge” person to undertake this task.

2. Lower Level Actions (f) Action 1: Hub and spoke bus developments including interchange improvements. Implementation Approach: required in all areas. Prioritise improvements in the areas showing 60+ minutes for travel Bus Eireann contacted and LCC to agree to a put in place a „pull in‟ for local buses outside the depot to improve interconnection with interurban servcies‟. Other bus operators to be contacted and asked for suggestions.

(g) Action 2: road and traffic management changes to prioritise vehicles with more passengers per vehicle. LCC to look at allowing Bus Eireann to route their local service through hospital in Drogheda.

(h) Implementation Approach: to develop a programme of site based travel plans to look at drop off/parking/stops at hospitals and make recommendations to the relevant organisation for roads, buildings, transport operation and other changes. This should start with the largest trip attractors in the urban areas but should eventually include any location, urban or rural. A key aim should be to turn the energy of people who are concerned about a problem into action that helps to solve it.

Identify a local hospital and a big local employer (e.g. Heinz, Dkit, Xerox) and talk to DoT/NTA re their successes to date e.g. Microsoft and present at the next Age Friendly Alliance meeting. (Ann Cleary to be asked about the successes and challenges of the DkIT learning of their car management scheme.) There are comparisons with the Car Share Scheme introduced by the Minister (www.Carsharing.ie ). The group believe that there is scope to extend the initiative to include Sports and Social events such as bringing older people to football matches etc which can be mutually beneficial to both parties. In the example of a football match, a social outing for the older person is a revenue generator for the club from gate receipts etc. Initiatives along these lines are consistent with other government policies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sustainability, health promotion etc and can, therefore, achieve wider objectives than those of the current carsharing scheme. (AC) See AC note on Community Transport prepared in consultation with DTTAS Action by: to be determined (i) Action 3: Co-ordinating supply with the transport response â&#x20AC;&#x153;demand responsive transportâ&#x20AC;? (DRT). Implementation Approach: Identify where and how to set up a transport co-ordination centre following the advice in this report (see Section 6.4 for more details). For Clogherhead pilot scheme. 6

Action By: MD/KB to follow up with a meeting in Clogherhead

(j) Action 5: Safety and quality improvements for access to public transport. Implementation Approach: Launch a programme of safer routes to and for public transport, i.e. systematically upgrade roads, footpaths and streetscape to improve the quality of public transport journeys. This should include shelters in selected locations. As part of the current initiative to make Ardee an age friendly town, the above items are being addressed. The expenditure is part of the County Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x;s existing budget. The experience of what is happening in Ardee will be used to guide other towns and areas within the county. An Access Audit report for the county was produced in December 2008 and has been used to identify areas where actions are required. However, further progress on this is limited by the lack of funding. However, an update on this from DTTS/NTA would be useful. (D Coppins to address at next meeting). The group can also identify situations where remedial action is required. (Paper/Presentation by LCC at a future meeting) Action By: Await to hear from D. Coppins

(k) Action 6: Services for special groups such as those with high care needs or others requiring bespoke services.

Implementation Approach: Establish a co-ordination centre to procure a programme that ensures that all people can make trips. This can build from the provision offered by Louth Linx to offer trips to a wider range of origins and destinations. Talk to Linx (KT)

(l) Investing in People for Transport Action 1: Travel training Start with Clogherhead project (m)Action 2: Travel information Implementation Approach: Promote installation of GPS tracking on all buses and other public transport in County Louth so that residents can view the location of vehicles in real time to help plan their journeys. Start with LCC re journey planner and mapping. Clarify who will create an electronic timetable database of transport services including the terms and eligibility for use of DRT services. (?) The possibility of using the MAMBO tracker which is currently under trial with several older people in DKIT is to be explored. It offers huge potential to identify supports and linking people/demand with supply. (KB to provide update)

(n) Action 3: Community cars.

Implementation Approach: New transport co-ordination centre to work with volunteer organisations to increase the number of volunteer drivers and assistants. Angela Muckian in Louth County Council is making enquiries about the availability of RSA training manuals for drivers that address issues such as mobility assistance requirements. Enquiries will also be made of RTP in Westmeath. (KT to advise on current situation in LINX and MD to follow up with LCC) Talk to Linx or a Community Centre or Active Retirement Group This is being also addressed as part of the pilot project (See Action 5). (AC) Insurance: Contact IIF when sheme in Clogherhaed is more advanced. Research will be undertaken to determine the number of wheelchair accessible Bus Eireann vehicles and private hire taxis available in County Louth (AC)

(o) Action 4: Trip sharing. Implementation Approach: Develop a trip share scheme to manage shared travel, with the co-ordination role being to ensure effective protection for both people offering and taking lifts. Talk to Linx or a Community Centre or Active Retirement Group This is being addressed as part of the pilot project (See Action 5). (p) Action 5: Vehicle sharing. Implementation Approach: Co-ordination centre to manage shared use of minibuses (e.g. those owned by statutory agencies) and perhaps also cars.

Talk to Community Development in Clogherhead and Ardee Centre in conjunction with local GAALiaise with Sean Kilbride, GAA. (MD) As part of the pilot exercise, the group will liaise with car owners who do not currently use their vehicles to allow others to drive. This may be because of age, disability etc. The sharing of use or ownership is to be further explored.

(q) Action 6: Personal travel allowances. Implementation Approach: Link payments for transport to clearer eligibility criteria. Ensure that eligibility criteria are clearly defined in all partner agencies. This issue will be clarified with the service providers/operators at a later stage

Level

Action

Responsibility

Lead

Progress to Date

Outcomes

(a) Establishment of a Louth Transport Planning and Coordination Committee (LTPCC) among the key stakeholders, building on structures that already exist

All

Andy Cullen

To be pursued at a later stage when we are more advanced in our work. Also NTA has new plans for RTP

See page action plan

(b) Preparation of an agreed passenger transport strategy and action plan based on the work for this report and other inputs

All

Andy Cullen

To be pursued at a later stage when we are more advanced in our work.

All

Andy Cullen

To be pursued at a later stage when we are more advanced in our work.

(d) Further evolution of this into functions including procurement co-ordination, establishment of a transport broker service

All

Andy Cullen

To be pursued at a later stage when we are more advanced in our work.

(e) The transport co-ordination function should be funded by the agencies involved, in particular that the current RTI co-ordination resources could be diverted to this wider county-level function

All

Andy Cullen

The group felt that to move

Date

HIGH

straight

into

transport

strategy for the county was too early and possibly beyond its remit.

Deliver a mapping exercise

All

Joan to explore

Wait till next County

Development Plan in 2013. Action with retired Engineer has

A tab has been created on the louthagefriendlyco

failed. Next step is to get LCC to undertake the task at next meeting.

The mapping exercies to identify where older people are located in County Louth is now to hand

unty website www.louthagefrien dly.ie The site includes information on the distinction between Taxis and Hackneys and on fares.

and this will be the subject of a A resource will need to be identified to turn this information into a suitable journey planner facility for County Louth, as there is currently no comparable facility available anywhere in the country. The NTA (National Transport authority/Ms. Marion Wilson) is planning to launch a National Journey Planner in March 2012 and the next step is to develop a journey planner for the county which links into the National Journey Planner. Louth County council and Louth Rural Transport Group to follow proposal from David Grennan for a county Planner and assess and/or look at alternative proposals.

All

Andy Cullen/ Mary Deery/

presentation to look at the location of such people relative to such services. 2) Where the transport services are provided in the County. These details will be obtained from data provided by the Gardai, HSE, Netwell Centre CĂşltaca and the Rural Transport Programme. Marion Wilson in the National Transport Authority will be contacted to investigate the possibility of funding an electronic route planner for County Louth.( AC) Population base data for County

Louth is available and Rodd Bond will be asked to presentat the next meeting. The location of the population is of some value in locating older people. Further information is required. Level

Action

Responsibility

Lead

Progress to Date

(f) Hub and spoke bus developments including interchange improvements

To be determined

Bus Eireann placing a bus â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pull inâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for local services beside the depot and other bus operators are being asked them to make suggestions.

(g) Road and traffic management changes to prioritise vehicles with more passengers per vehicle

To be determined at Oct. meeting

No action to be taken until completion of the mapping exercises

To be determined at Oct meeting

LOW 1.

Implementation Approach: required in all areas. Prioritise improvements in the areas showing 60+ minutes for travel

Andy Cullen

Identify a local hospital and a big local employer and talk to DoT/NTA re their successes to date. (AC) Kevin Traynor to report progress with HSE. The group will then decide if progress to date

A key aim should be to turn the energy of people who are concerned about a problem into action that helps to solve it

warrants raising the subject at a higher level â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Service Providers Meeting. Kevin to provide update

All The GAA should be approached at a regional level to discuss the Louth transport initiative

Andy Cullen

There are comparisons with the Car Share Scheme introduced by the Minister (www.Carsharing.ie ). The group believe that there is scope to extend the initiative to include Sports and Social events, such as bringing older people to football matches etc, which can be mutually beneficial to both parties. For example a football match is a social outing for the older person and a revenue generator for the club from gate receipts etc. Initiatives like these are consistent with other government policies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sustainability, health promotion etc and can, therefore, achieve wider objectives than those of the current car-sharing scheme. Other schemes in place include www.drivingmissdaisy.net Follow up actions will be decided after presentation by Irish Cancer Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Care to

Drive presentation Sean Kilbride, GAA Social Initiative Project Manager to be contacted 3.

(i) Co-ordinating supply with the transport response â&#x20AC;&#x153;demand responsive transportâ&#x20AC;? (DRT).

To be determined at Oct. meeting

Implementation Approach: Identify where and how to set up a transport co-ordination centre following the advice in this report (see Section 6.4 for more details).

(j) Continued support for scheduled or demand responsive transport that cannot cover its costs of operation. Implementation Approach: Co-ordinate proposals to reallocate the budgets available to transport in County Louth to deliver improved accessibility, including use of spare capacity/under-utilised resources.

Talk to an Active Retirement Centre or LINX re a pilot A facilitated discussion should take place at community level to discuss transport requirements in local areas. In the ca\se of Carlingford and Omeath a proposal has been put before SEUPB for funding for a local connectivity programme. (Oral report to be made by MD). In the case of clogherhead and Drogheda, members of the group have visited both areas and see reports attached.

To be determined

Talk to HSE and Linx. This will occur later in the process as part of Action 4.

Use as part of pilot exercise

Identify a local hospital and a big local employer (e.g. Heinz, DkIT, Xerox) and talk to

There are comparisons with the Car Share Scheme introduced by the Minister (www.carsharing.ie). The group believe that there is scope to extend the initiative to include Sports and Social events such as bringing older people to football matches, etc. which can be mutually beneficial to both parties. In the example of a football match, a social outing for the older person is a revenue generator for the club from gate receits. etc. Initiatives along these lines are consistent with other government policies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sutainability, health promotion, etc. and can, therefore, achieve wider objectives than those of the current carshing scheme. See AC note on Community Transport prepared in consulstation with DTTAS. 5.

(k) Safety and quality improvements for access to public transport. Implementation Approach: Launch a programme of safer routes to and for public transport, i.e. systematically upgrade roads, footpaths and streetscape to improve the quality of public transport journeys. This should include shelters in selected locations.

DoT/NTA re their successes to date e.g. Microsoft and present at the next AFA meeting. (Ac to talk to John McCarthy/Des Coppins and Ann cleary on the successes and challenges of the DkIT learning of their car management scheme.

This will occur later in the process as part of Action 4 To be determined

As part of the current initiative to make Ardee an age friendly town, the above items are being addressed. The expenditure is part of the County Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing budget. The experience of what is happening in Ardee will be used to guide other towns and areas within the county.

Ongoing

An Access Audit report for the county was produced in December 2008 and has been used to identify areas where actions are required. However, further progress on this is

limited dby the lack of funding.

(l) Services for special groups such as those with high care needs or others requiring bespoke services

This issue will be picked up once the pilot projects are up and running in the various pilot areas

To be determined

Action

Talk to Linx Responsibility

Lead

Progress to Date

LOW 1.

(m) Investing in People for Transport Action 1: Travel training

To be determined

This issue will be picked up once the pilot projects are up and running in the various pilot areas Implementation Approach: Council to engage with volunteering groups in the area and develop a programme of travel training. This will be followed up as the need arises during implementation of the Action

Plan 2.

(n) Investing in People for Transport Action 2: Travel information Implementation Approach: Promote installation of GPS tracking on all buses and other public transport in County Louth so that residents can view the location of vehicles in real time to help plan their journeys.

To be determined at Oct meeting

Catherine McGuigan

Clarify who will create an electronic timetable database of transport services including the terms and eligibility for use of DRT services.

Talk to Bus Eireann mapping is complete.

when

The possibility of using the MAMBO tracker which is currently under trial with several older people in DKIT is to be explored. It offers huge potential to identify supports and linking people/demand with supply. To discuss with Joanne Finnegan in DKIT

Note delay on MAMBO trackers

(o) Investing in People for Transport Action 3: Community cars Implementation Approach: New transport co-ordination centre to work with volunteer organisations to increase the number of volunteer drivers and assistants.

To be determined at Oct. meeting

Talk to Linx or a Community Centre or Active Retirement Group This is also being addressed as part of the pilot project (See Action 5). (AC) Angela Muckian in LCC is making

enquiries about the availability of SA training manuals for drivers that address issues such as mobility assistance requirements 4.

(p) Investing in People for Transport Action 4: Trip sharing

To be determined

Implementation Approach: Develop a trip share scheme to manage shared travel, with the co-ordination role being to ensure effective protection for both people offering and taking lifts.

Andy Catherine update

Talk to Linx or a Community Centre or Active Retirement Group . This is being addressed as part of the pilot project (See Action 5).

(q) Investing in People for Transport Action 5: Vehicle sharing Implementation Approach: Co-ordination centre to manage shared use of minibuses (e.g. those owned by statutory agencies) and perhaps also cars.

To be determined at Oct meeting

Talk to Linx or a Community Centre or Active Retirement Group in conjunction with local GAA in Ardee and Clogherhead. Liaise with Sean Kilbride, Gaa (MD)

Ongoing

This is being addressed as part of the pilot project. As part of the pilot exercise, the group will liaise with car owners who do not currently use their vehicles to allow others to drive.

and to

This may be because of age, disability etc. The sharing of use or ownership is to be further explored. 6.

(r) Investing in People for Transport Action 6: Personal travel allowances

To be determined

Implementation Approach: Link payments for transport to clearer eligibility criteria. Ensure that eligibility criteria are clearly defined in all partner agencies.

later

This issue will be clarified with the service providers/operators at a later stage.