Stakeholders & Partnership
Whatever type of partnerships are operating in your particular area there is a need for collaborative working between transport authorities and transport operators. But who else should you be working with, to argue your case or to keep you in mind?
And your most important stakeholders are public transport users, so how do you involve them in decision making and ensure their voice is heard?
Transport Users
Passengers, or potential customers, are a rich vein of knowledge and feedback.
We can advise on your customer services and customer information but how do you tap into the information that they hold?
Having been through many customer consultation processes, some in partnership with Bus Users, we can help you to hear those views.
Offering practical support to create a consultation process and analyse and understand the feedback. Then recommend how you can make best use of that information going forward.
Political
National, regional and local politicians will be keen to speak to you when you have bad news but how do you share your positive news? How do you shape the narrative?
With experience dealing with Government Ministers, Council Cabinets and individual representative from business and trade bodies we can help you get your voice heard, meet and advise decision makers.
We can also assist you in responding to consultation processes.
Bus Partnerships
Local authorities, operators and other stakeholders can deliver real improvements by working together. Smaller organisations may struggle to have their voice heard where louder voices prevail.
Available to provide an independent voice, or to support developing proposals we have experience of successfully delivering infrastructure improvements, service enhancements and promotions as part of formal and voluntary partnerships.
Business Relations
Often overlooked building relationships with other businesses in your communities can be a great way to increase demand for your networks.
We can help you approach local employers to tailor transport solutions. House builders may need your help when applying for planning permission but maintaining relationships through until those homes being occupied and homeowners can use your services.
As the leisure market continues to grow we can help you to join forces with visitor attractions and encourage use of your services.
Case Study #7
Consultation
In 2016 we launched customer consultation when we were planning service changes. That consisted of a mobile roadshow on a specially decorated bus visiting villages and town centres across the region.
We found it at times a difficult process but what we did discover was that it was very beneficial in understanding the needs of our customers and the various drivers of demand.
We also shared details with our frontline staff to get their feedback. And although we had their input on an ongoing basis it still added to the richness of our consultation results.
Our proposals were altered in positive ways and we delivered a change that still met the financial needs of the business but one that served our communities better than had we just pressed ahead with the original plan.
After that every service change came with advance publication of timetables and consultation. And every single time we made changes that meant our final product was better than we had planned.
Case Study #8
Infrastructure
The simplest transport infrastructure is no doubt the humble bus stop, but it is an important part in the passenger journey and influences overall satisfaction levels. Information, a shelter, a seat, lighting all quickly begin to add to the requirements.
At the opposite end of the scale was the project to convert the Forth Road Bridge to become a Public Transport Corridor after the opening of the Queensferry Crossing. Forming part of a priority corridor covering nearly 9 miles of the M90/A90 route we worked closely with Transport Scotland and the team building the Queensferry Crossing to minimise disruption during build and maximise long term benefits.
Our experience of partnership working, delivering from the smallest to the largest schemes, stretches through successful bidding to regional and national Government.
