Joint project aims to cut transport costs and take 1m passenger miles off York's roads (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Joint project aims to cut transport costs and take 1m passenger miles off York's roads

February 9, 2006 3:17 PM

Senior Councillors in York have approved a project which aims to cut the amount both the Council and the York Health Trust spend on transport each year.

The 'Collaborative Transport Project', approved at a meeting of the City of York Council Executive on February 7th, will see the City of York Council and the York Health Trust work together to identify how transport for residents and patients can be delivered more cost-effectively.

The aims of the project are:

· Research, plan and implement a coherent, collaborative and integrated transport system for health, education and social care;

· Deliver substantial efficiency savings;

· Take at least 1 million passenger miles per year off York's roads;

· Deliver a more efficient transport service across health and local authority services;

· Deliver CO2 emission reductions;

· Improve the experience of service users;

· Create a transferable methodology and implementation plan that delivers improved efficiency and sustainability.

A grant of £100,000 has been secured from the Centre for Transport Excellence, and the Heath Trust will contribute £32,000 to the scheme. The Council is making staff time to the value of £32,000 available, and has approved that up to £50,000 be earmarked in the Council's venture fund to contribute to the project. This money would then be repaid from the efficiencies which are expected to result from the project.

Speaking today, Cllr Sue Galloway (City of York Council Executive Member for Health & Social Services) said "The combined transport budgets of the Council and the Health Trust total over £3m. If even a 5% saving could be made, this would save more than £150,000 per year of taxpayers' money.

"I am excited that the strong partnership between the Council and the Health Trust is allowing joint projects like this to be developed. This project should provide an effective model for other Councils across the country to use with their Health Trusts."

Cllr Ann Reid (Executive Member for Transport and Planning) said "Cutting 1m passenger miles each year is a tough target, but would allow the Council and Health Trust to make a big contribution towards reducing congestion around the City."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

It is possible that a further bid for funding will be submitted to the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly, to increase the scope of the project.

The Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS) have expressed an interest in joining the project, and the Primary Care Trust could also take part.

Full details of the report were contained at Item 13 on the Agenda for the City of York Council Executive on 7th February.