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Wiltshire Public Transport User Group co-ordination

Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2012-10-05 23:51:15 - Graham Ellis

Public Transport is all about linkage - which is why it's so devilishly difficult to make local recommendations and decisions - of all areas of community involvement, this is the one where co-operation is needed. And, alas, specifying running and tuning transport systems is a highly technical business - not one for the faint-hearted. And there's such a temptation for service providers to turn around to their users and not really listen - to provide what's easiest to provide, rather than going that extra mile to make sure that connections work, timetables are joined up, and the system is good for the community and businesses it serves.

There are a number of transport "user groups" across the county, and a number of areas where - we suspect - there is no user group. You'll find a number of rail groups, but few bus groups. And who's taking a keen interest for those who use one form of transport to get to the station then another (train) for their onward journey?

Here are ... some ... issues that I have come across that we could advantageously review in Wiltshire, with a view to making further constructive inputs and recommendations, and providing community skill and support, where appropriate:

* Groups for buses? Community Bus Partnerships?
* TransWilts
* LSTF
* Great Western Franchise
* Local bus timetables
* Train / bus connections
* Mapping and information systems
* Integrated Fares and the fares maze
* Business Connections
* Current issues
* Public to private linkage
* National Rail / best fares etc
* From tactics to strategy
* Community Area Partnership Involvement
* Business Involvement
* Overcrowding; overcrowding at low cost leading to loss of service
* Loss of single trips and service holes that knock return trip options

Flying a kite at the moment - and takers? Thought - Saturday meeting, in a couple of months time, in Westbury - 10:30 to 14:30