Access Matters Aotearoa’s Post

You cannot encourage people to use and rely on public transport while cutting public transport. Before setting up LEZs ensure that you have an adequate public transport system. This is why public transport should be in public hands not private. #publictransport #stagecoach #service #reduction #scotland https://lnkd.in/euwYQNcT

"Those kinds of decisions should absolutely be made at a local level by communities and not dictated to or stoked up by the centre." Alongside a welcome move away from "culture wars", to my mind this is exactly what grown up government should look like for #transportplanners. Now, just need more long term certainty and devolution of funding and we'll be flying. #transportplanning

Metro mayors to control rail services under unprecedented England devolution plans White paper paves way for London-style contactless-payment travel networks and unitary authorities to replace two-tier county and district councils

Metro mayors to control rail services under unprecedented England devolution plans White paper paves way for London-style contactless-payment travel networks and unitary authorities to replace two-tier county and district councils

Transport reform is a priority for the new Labour government, with five Bills announced in the 2024 King’s Speech. However, a critical challenge remains: ensuring accessibility across UK transport networks. A recent Transport Select Committee inquiry revealed that current legislation fails to support disabled passengers adequately, with poor enforcement of accessibility laws and outdated regulations. Many passengers face obstacles such as lack of step-free access, inadequate signage, and inconsistent audio-visual information. There’s growing potential for technology, like 5G and AI, to bridge these gaps. Yet, adoption remains low among disabled passengers, often due to poor functionality and lack of universal access. To drive real change, collaboration between government, transport providers, and passengers is essential, ensuring future innovations truly meet accessibility needs across all regions and modes of transport. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e4e9wnrU #LabourGovernment #InclusiveTransport #Infrastructure

The new Buses Bill - to be introduced into Parliament today - promises to enable communities to take control so as to deliver improved bus networks which are faster and cheaper. Enabling local authorities to set up publicly-owned bus companies, with greater flexibility over bus funding and improving bus services for communities that do not choose to exercise greater public control are also features in today's reforms.

I'm in awe at the transformation Anne Hidalgo has brought to #Paris. For the last ten years she has developed a vision and overseen a plan to enhance the city and make it more liveable in the 21st century. Streets across the arrondissements of Paris have been transformed. More bicycles, safer walking routes for pedestrians, less air and noise pollution, yet greater economic activity. While local government in France is stronger than in Ireland, Paris remains a beacon for other capital cities as to what can (and should) be achieved. Now roll on to #Dublin, where weak local government continues to be undermined at every opportunity by narrow, vested interests. If I had a euro everytime I heard someone (living in Ireland) said 'I enjoyed my holiday in France/Italy/Spain, sitting on quiet streets outside a café having a beer or apertif' ... well, I'd be retired! The influence of the car industry in Ireland is very strong, as is a small cohort of businesspeople, particularly in our cities and large towns. They fear change and won't accept that a new way of life is possible, albeit a life that requires us all to make small changes to our daily existence. The Sustainable Communities Challenge, managed by Science Foundation Ireland, has as a goal of 'creating sustainable and inclusive ways for all people to live, be productive and creative, and to thrive in balance with nature, the environment, and our planet.' Looking in from the outside, Paris is heading in the right direction, but our own wee Irish capital, #Dublin, is dragging its heals in the lower divisions. Dublin is now on a yellow card, and while there is time to deliver the changes required, we must support local government to make change a reality, and not just the contents of another strategy or report of what should be done.

This is a welcome step towards better buses. And I’m relieved to see a transport secretary write these words: “Whever you live, whatever age you are, buses can be a lifeline. Whether that’s getting to school or work; seeing friends or the doctor – buses are the lifeblood of communities and the engines of opportunity. They can be the difference between aspiration and isolation; between getting on or being forced to give up. I’ve heard countless stories from people let down, of communities cut off, about opportunities missed, all due to poor bus services. I know how much this matters.” This won’t solve all the issues facing our bus network, particularly in rural areas, but alongside the promised push toward better integrated transport its clearly a step in the right direction. #transport #publictransport #buses https://lnkd.in/e_jKdDeu

The Transport Secretary has announced the introduction of the Buses Bill—hailed as the most significant overhaul of bus transport in a generation. #busnetworkoverhaul #buspassengerimprovements #busservicereform #BusesBill #deregulationofbuses #localleadershipintransport #localtransportauthorities #newbuslegislation #publicbusservices #regionalbusservicescontrol #thxnews