Transport - from the NICVA Policy Manifesto
Posted by Feargal O'Kane on Feb 13 2007 under Transport, Policy Manifesto |
Northern Ireland is over-dependent on the motor car and this is one of the major failures in public policy development of the last forty years. Public transport facilities are improving but there is still considerable work to be done the impact of which falls disproportionately on people with low incomes or restricted mobility. Poor, or in many places no, public transport is a major contributor to social exclusion and isolation.
The voluntary and community sector supports the Regional Transport Strategy for Northern Ireland as it affects local communities and is excited by the proposals contained within the new Accessible Transport Strategy and the establishment of the Mobility and Inclusion Unit (MIU) to champion the strategy. Nevertheless the announcement of a Passenger Transport Authority is to be welcomed and it is hoped that its remit will ensure the licensing and procurement of transport services are targeted in the areas of most need. It is hoped that the development of an overall strategy for social transport in Northern Ireland will tackle many of the inequalities with regard to access to transport.
However, we are concerned that the overall balance of proposed investment continues to favour private means of transport at the expense of public provision, walking and cycling, which make a greater contribution to social inclusion and cohesion in both rural and urban areas. It is also important that all transport policy be considered in relation to social inclusion, community cohesion, child welfare and environmental damage. Community transport can play a significant part in tackling the imbalance between public and private transport — an imbalance that is environmentally unsustainable. Community transport currently involves large numbers of volunteers in the provision of services including:
- Providing support to help people access training and employment.
- Transporting children and young people to activities and events.
- Enabling people with disabilities to secure access to everyday services.
- Providing those living in isolation with access to social, leisure, shopping, health, visiting and other services.
- Assisting patients to clinics and hospitals.
Political parties and government should commit to:
- Giving priority to investment in public transport across the region. Government should take the lead as public sector employer and develop travel plans that promote sustainable methods of transport.
- Reducing the ever-growing dependence on cars through greater than planned investment in sustainable and healthier alternatives such as Safe Routes to School, cycling and walking.
- Putting in place a new ambitious target which ensures that 80% of all households in Northern Ireland live within ten minutes of a public transport stop.
- Putting in place a North/South policy on public transport investment.
- Expand the Rural Transport Fund and the Transport Programme for People with Disabilities further to meet the needs of people who cannot access mainstream services.
✤ Extending the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to a range of community groups with
Small Bus Permits in line with England, Scotland and Wales.
✤ Extending the concessionary fares scheme to allow disabled people and older people who
cannot access existing public transport to use their concession on other transport services.
All eligible passengers should receive equal access to services.
✤ Supporting the Eco-Schools Programme in relation to promoting sustainable development
in transport.
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