GNTP Business Forum –

The Big Idea – Gary Smerdon-White

18th September 2012

Contents• Background• Local economic context• Local transport context• Objectives• Public and Business• Public• Business• Future Direction

Survey Objectives• Overview of public and business use of transport –

2000 travellers and 200 businesses• Find out the likes and dislikes of public and business• Explore perceived barriers to more sustainable,

healthy behaviours and how these can be overcome.

• Explore general attitudes towards sustainability• Identify opportunities for improving planning,

delivery and promotion of sustainable travel

Business and Public• Common objective: reduction of traffic congestion on roads also:

– Making it easy for people to get around using a range of transport

– A single (integrated) ticket for all local buses and trams.

– Making journey times more reliable (by all means of transport).

– Improving the safety of our roads.

• Few ranked ‘improving information’ most important but Kangaroo?

• Public (72%) and business (70%): good transport links.

• Want a high quality bus service and good walking and cycling routes.

• 49% of businesses and 37% of public: views on local transport listened to - positive increase from 2008.

Public Travel Statistics• Over a quarter - no access to a private vehicle, • Majority used public transport - mostly bus. • 2008 to 2012

• Walking trips (+8%) – recession?• Cycle trips rose to 2% from 1% of all journeys• Minor reductions in bus travel and private car use, tram

trips remained steady• Overall reduction by train, from 2% to 1%.

Public Influence• Convenience now more important than cost,

• Most people give little thought to their choice – particularly car

• Almost a fifth of the cyclists cited cost and health

• 53% of those who chose based on cost used bus

• People generally perceive bus to be cheaper than car.

• Preference of bus passengers is car 

• Preference of significant proportions of car drivers, car passengers, tram users and taxi passengers is bus

Public Satisfaction and Barriers• 86% of respondents rated their journey as good or very good -

highest for tram (91%) and lowest for taxi passengers (78%). • Improvement in local train services in last 4 years.• Improvement in cycle infrastructure/ services since 2008 –

safety issues• The majority – no significant barriers to using their ‘ideal’.• Those who aspire to drive increased slightly – young people• More and/or cheaper parking likely to result in more car use•  21% considering changing (from 12% in 2008) – 75% to more

sustainable modes of travel – most to walking

Business View• 72% perceived good public transport important • 86% ease of access for customers and visitors most important• 83% adequate transport facilities to receive deliveries

important• 79% reliability of journey times (across all modes) important• Large businesses prioritising sustainable and active travel • Easy access for customers and visitors most important

concern for SMEs.

Business Attitudes• Since 2008 large businesses delivered - management role• SMEs - growing awareness of benefits of sustainable travel and

more now following the example of larger employers • 71% encourage more sustainable travel to the workplace. • Main motivations – Environment, healthy lifestyles, car parking • 33% - nothing the local authority could do to assist• Need - Extending and enhancing the local public transport

network (30%), providing cheaper public transport (14%) and enhancing cycle routes (6%)

• Rising fuel costs, 35% changed their travel behaviour

Business Fuel Price and Climate Change

• Threat of climate change (83%) greater than the rising cost of fuel (62%). 2008/2012 reverse

• Environmental factors increasing for large business operators. • SMEs pro-active in promoting a change in business travel

behaviours as a response to rising fuel prices. – 21% are making fewer journeys and deliveries– 16% are encouraging car sharing– 14% are encouraging employees to use public transport more often.

• Significant number encouraging staff to travel more sustainably by offering incentives to use smarter travel choices.

Conclusions• Key priorities for future investment in infrastructure and services:

• Reducing traffic congestion on Nottingham’s roads;• Making it easy to get around on a whole range of transport• Making journey times more reliable (by all means of transport)• Improving the safety of our roads.

•  Some potential improvements and incentives • PT: Cheaper (27% of respondents) , Higher frequency (10% )• Introducing a single (integrated) ticket • Increase public awareness of the Kangaroo ticket, • Cycling safely - targeted adult cycle training, safer routes for cyclists• Further support for businesses on walking and cycling

 

Marketing Considerations• Cost and convenience - key levers for influencing behaviour• 77% to make more sustainable journeys, targeted incentives• Walking currently a very popular – a key intervention• Latent demand for car travel among public transport users –

especially the young.• Overtly compare the true cost car travel with public transport

in marketing materials• Retaining existing public transport users when the economic

climate improves.• Threat of climate change and concern for the environment are

key messages for Big Wheel Business Club 

Helen Hemstock

• Greater Nottingham Transport Partnership

• The Big Wheel

Big Wheel Business Club

What is the Big Wheel Business Club?

• It’s a package of online and face to face services, provided to businesses free of charge to encourage sustainable transport.

• It can help with your business travel, freight, customer and employee transport too.

• It includes…

Starting from the beginning…

• Travel Survey for businesses• Support is free of charge• Online survey tool available with support in analysis

and interpretation• Tailored to your needs• Data stored in accordance with Data Protection Act

and is not shared or used for any other purpose

Business Travel Survey

• You will receive a personalised URL and password for staff

• Helps to identify how people are travelling and their barriers to sustainable travel

• The first building block in your travel planning

Business Travel Survey

• Commercially would cost up to several £1000s for licenses and support

• Email me – helenhemstock@thebigwheel.org.uk for info

Other services include

One to one support from our Business Liaison Manager, Helen McCullen and…

For you and your employees/customers

Regular newsletters Secure online travel surveys

Access to a range of supporting materials

Walking, cycling and public transport maps and information

Green travel roadshows Range of low cost and free cycle training services

Advice and information about sustainable transport

Access to savings through the Cycle to Work Scheme

A range of walks near your workplace to encourage active travel

Advice and support on a range of topics such as car park management, electric vehicles and travel planning

Workshops, forums and masterclasses Access to free car sharing scheme…and more!

It’s about sharing best practices and advice

• Case studies• Links with other businesses• Industry news• Lobbying activity

It’s about getting from A to B effectively

It’s about making the most of your travel plans to save your business time and money

Visit us at www.thebigwheelbusinessclub.org.uk

or email helenhemstock@thebigwheel.org.uk

or email helenmccullen@thebigwheel.org.uk