Public Transport

Project Experience

ITP has an extensive track record in the broad area of public transport. Selected examples of projects we have worked on are summarised below.

Nottinghamshire Concessionary Travel Study. ITP is currently working with the Nottinghamshire Concessionary Fares Partnership (a partnership of Nottinghamshire County Council with seven District Councils and bus operators) to monitor and evaluate the new concessionary travel scheme in the county which came into operation on 1st April 2006. Our aim is to develop evidence-based recommendations on approaches for future years on operator reimbursement and scheme financing and operation. The two year study involves a range of monitoring and assessment activities including scheme usage data collection and analysis, user surveys with members of the public, and management review of the way the scheme is currently operated and administered.

Noosa Public Transport Strategy. In 2005-6, ITP has undertaken a comprehensive study to develop a public transport strategy for Noosa, Queensland. This has involved demand forecasting and assessment of a wide range of issues including types of services (fixed and demand responsive), marketing and branding, information systems and provision, payment systems (including smart cards), customer focus and infrastructure. Our recommended strategy has been highly commended by the client.

Milton Keynes Bus Strategy. ITP is currently leading the development of a new bus strategy for Milton Keynes Council. This takes account of the recognition of the enhanced role that public transport has to play in this New Town.

Leicester Post-16 Education Transport Review. ITP undertook a review of eligibility criteria for Leicester City Council, in order to assess whether revised criteria would improve social inclusion and accessibility while remaining affordable. This involved working with two case study colleges and using GIS tools and a spreadsheet model to look at the financial implications of revised criteria.

Bath Rapid Transit. Colin Brader of ITP is currently Project Manager (under subcontract to Mott Macdonald) for the development and assessment of bus rapid transit system options for the historic city of Bath. This pioneering work could potentially play a major role in the joint transport strategy for the area surrounding Bath and Bristol.

Nottinghamshire County Council. We are currently undertaking a review of passenger transport service delivery for Nottinghamshire County Council which seeks to improve cost-effectiveness of service delivery within the context of the Local Transport Plan and tight budget constraints.

RUBIS European Economic Interest Group. ITP has taken an active role within the RUBIS Economic Interest Group consisting of manufacturers, operators and local authorities seeking to develop and demonstrate new forms of public transport technology in medium sized cities and regions. With trials in Paris, Trieste, Clermont Ferrand and Madrid ITP’s specific responsibility was to advise on evaluation methodology in order to define user reaction to novel transport systems. The vehicles being trialled included Civis, TVR, Translohr and Phileas. The role has now been extended to one of a review of systems operational in Clermont Ferrand, Rouen, Caen, Nancy and Eindhoven. This involvement allowed a unique insight into the development of hybrid drive and guidance technologies. ITP continue to work with APTS manufacturers of Phileas through its implementation in Eindhoven to serve the new community of Meerhoven.

Northampton Rapid Transit. ITP weas the lead consultants to Rapid Transport International Plc (RTI) a private sector organisation promoting the entirely private sector funded Rapid Transit System in Northampton. Specific responsibilities included:

Cambridge Rapid Transit (superCAM). ITP has developed priority proposals for city centre on street running, vehicle and technology evaluation and business case development for this high quality rubber tyred rapid transit system. ITP’s role was to combine their knowledge of traffic engineering and transport policy with operational knowledge.

Luton Translink. Colin Brader, ITP’s Managing Director, has been appointed as a ‘Critical Friend’ to the Translink guided bus scheme. This role involves the review of each stage of scheme development including design, technology and procurement strategy. It builds upon Colin’s experience in such schemes Europe wide.

Vehicle Options Advice, GMPTE. The added value of high quality vehicle options has not been independently evaluated leaving those procuring such vehicles unable to justify the additional expenditure involved. For GMPTE ITP undertook a comprehensive review of vehicle options including an evaluation of performance, characteristics, options and costs. This was followed by revealed preference surveys in Rouen , Clermont Ferrand, Lyon and Eindhoven where high quality vehicles are operating. The result was an insight to how users value the vehicle relative to other system features and will be used to inform bids for funding and vehicle choice on the Leigh Guided Busway.

Stratford upon Avon Minitram. For Minitram Systems Ltd. ITP undertook initial feasibility studies and advised on alternative procurement and scheme development options. The Minitram system aimed to link park and ride to the town centre via the former tramway east of the centre. Since undertaking this work ITP have continued to work with Minitram on identifying potential application and secured an operational trial at Althorp House in Northamptonshire for the annual Diana Memorial opening.

Rugby Rapid Transit. For Stagecoach ITP has developed a three phase strategy, firstly developing and specifying a bus quality showcase, for approval by Warwickshire County Council. Secondly developing a strategic Park and Ride site near the M6 to facilitate the expansion of Rugby Rail Station in partnership with Railtrack and Virgin. Thirdly to enable the longer term growth of Rugby to be supported by a network of high quality public transport.

Central Severn Vale Rapid Transit. For Stagecoach ITP developed a phased approach to improvement of the core public transport corridor through the Central Severn Vale incorporating Cheltenham and Gloucester. Initial work involved the development of a now signed Quality Bus Partnership incorporating on street priority, stop and information enhancement. A long tern vision for a segregated high quality intermediate transit system was developed.

Sherford Rapid Transit. For Plymouth City Council ITP have developed a public route strategy for the A379 corridor leading to a new settlement at Sherford. The proposals allow for staged implementation of a high quality public transport system that may start as bus with priority migrating to light rail through a fully segregated intermediate system as conditions and funding allows. ITP’s work included system definition, route and junction design and the development of procurement option strategies.

Centro Midland Metro Extension. ITP was appointed by CENTRO to develop urban design contexts for stops on the Midland Metro extension from Wednesbury to Dudley. Focussing upon maximising patronage an integration of transport infrastructure with surrounding land use this project demonstrated the ideals of integrated land use and transport planning.

Accra Mass Transit. ITP has been appointed by a consortium championed by the Ghanaian Government to investigate the feasibility of a mass transit system for the capital city of Accra. Work includes a technical review of system options, revenue forecasting, investigation of funding and procurement methods in addition to physical constraints and scheme impact. The resultant system is ‘Bus Rapid Transit’ based upon successful systems in Bogota and Curitiba which will be implemented by the private sector in partnership with the Government incorporating an empowerment strategy to actively involve existing transport providers. ITP’s work ranged from the technical to the institutional examining delivery structures and working with empowerment partners to involve existing operators in the new transport mode. Reporting was directly to the Minister of Modernisation of the Capital City and Minister of Transport. Verbal briefings were given to President Kuffour and media interviews given jointly with the President.

Centro, Design Guidelines for the Integration of Public Transport into New Developments. ITP, with David Lock Associates, worked with CENTRO reviewing international best practice in public transport infrastructure, developing clear guidelines for use by all stakeholders involved in the development and planning process. The guidelines will contain a series of design templates and scenarios for bus, interchange, super showcase, metro and park and ride facilities. The aim of the document is to ensure that the design of infrastructure matches the high quality public transport image being promoted in the West Midlands , and that the needs and aspirations of customers and operators is met. Best practice examples are being drawn from Germany , Holland , Spain , France and Brazil as well as leading examples from across the UK . The study examines the complex relationships between form, function and finance, where there is inevitably some compromise, and seek to present an optimum balance that can be readily applied to different situations.

Stagecoach Operational Review – On behalf of Stagecoach ITP has undertaken surveys of all UK Operational Directors in order to determine their knowledge of local policy initiatives and actions in order to improve their input to local transport initiatives and relationships with local authorities. This work involved questionnaire and phone interview surveys.

Cambus Operational Review – Following on from the above ITP undertook a detailed assessment of the institutional barriers to effective bus operation within Cambus together with user interface issues such as information and systems. This included extensive on street interviews with both users and non users together with focus groups among Cambus staff. The recommendations have now been largely implemented with a network of new high frequency routes, new simplified timetable booklets and investment in 40 new vehicles.

CENTRO: Bus Shelter User Needs Analysis. ITP undertook on street interviews, focus groups and surveys of residents/businesses directly affected by bus stops to determine user requirements and opinions on different forms of shelter as well as positioning of stops, levels of maintenance and other facilities. As part of a best value review this established the difference in requirements and perceptions amongst users and non users.

South Africa Intermediate Transit Market Analysis. ITP has been appointed to investigate the market for intermediate transit systems in the major urban areas of South Africa . Working closely with the Minister for Transport and the Provincial and City Governments ITP are examining institutional structures for delivery and operation in addition to a full technology and specification review.

Stagecoach Partnership Vision – ITP is leading the development of a national transport strategy for Stagecoach underpinned by local action in partnership with local authorities. This work involves extensive consultation and scheme development in partnership with local authorities. The work was predicated on the realisation of a cultural difference between authority and operator despite possessing similar objectives. The resultant work included drafting quality partnership agreements, designing bus priority schemes, writing bus stop specifications and facilitating joint workshops.

Technical Study Tours. ITP has organised and hosted a series of technical study tours to areas where intermediate transit systems are operating. This has included Nancy, Clermont Ferrand, Paris, and Eindhoven, visitors have ranged from local authority officers and members to transport professionals. In addition ITP have funded their own study tours as part of staff development. In 2004 this included a visit to the Zuidtangent segregated busway running between Amsterdam South and Haarlem and Stockholm. Previously we have visited the Dutch town of Almere where a new town was created around a comprehensive segregated public transport system.