2009•European Transport Conference, 2009Association for European Transport (AET)Requires access
Establishing a Voluntary Quality Network Partnership (QNP) within a Hertfordshire District
Jamie Cecil, SL Copsey, John R. Elliott, Richard Southern, P. E. Waters, Stephen Joseph
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Abstract
Recent research related to transport within the United Kingdom, especially within urban-conurbations, have identified limitations with transport governance and finance as key issues in creating sustainable integrated transport networks. This paper will focus on the need, and potential for changing travel behavior away from ever increasing private car use, to greater use of public transport for commuting. This has the potential to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions from transport activities as well as improving community cohesion and mobility. Changing individual behavior away from car use is dealt with through organizational “Travel Plans” or the “Smarter Choices” initiative, as proposed by the United Kingdom (UK) Department for Transport (DfT). The UK has a history of declining bus use outside London, particularly in rural areas. Various legislative attempts have been made but so far there has been no real effect in most places. The Local Transport Act 2008 attempts to address the provision of public services by providing Local Authorities with a range of new powers to influence directly bus service provision through the introduction of new voluntary Quality Partnerships. The aim is to create change in bus service delivery, thus leading to reform in transport governance and greater use by the public. This paper uses a unique applied case study approach for setting up and managing a voluntary Quality Network Partnership (QNP), within the Hertfordshire City and District of St Albans. The partnership includes all bus and train operators providing public services within St Albans. The research aim is to investigate, through piloting these additional powers set out in the Local Transport Act, the development and management of a Quality Partnership. The research aims to identify areas of organizational conflict that occur between the Local Authorities, Operators and Transport Practitioners. The paper also provides identification of funding streams for achieving improvements.