TravelWatch's Work

Since its formation TWNW has established a relationship with a wide range of stakeholders, and has addressed a number of key issues within the transport agenda in the region. It is increasingly being seen as an important sounding board for consultation on transport policy issues.

TWNW is keen to continue with its growing track record of project/ consultancy work. TWNW has within its membership a considerable depth of resource of experienced public transport users together with professional transport expertise. This makes the organisation well capable of carrying out passenger based research to inform and assist Regional and Local Authorities, PTEs and Operators in their transport planning and operational functions.

Examples of topics that have been debated at conferences

• Effects on operators and passengers of Concessionary Bus Travel for the over 60’s.
• Rail capacity and overcrowding.
• Challenges of rural bus services.
• Public transport to tourist destinations.
• Quality Bus Contracts and Partnerships.
• Multi Modal ticketing and Smartcards.
• The role of the Traffic Commissioner.

Consultation responses have included -

• Improving the Regulation of Bus Services.
• Network Rail’s Route Utilisation Strategies
• Rail Franchising
• Ticketing on Public Transport
• Delivering a Sustainable Railway
• Rail Electrification Strategy
• Quality Bus Contracts

Research projects have included -

• Rail stations in the North West of England
• Multi Modal Ticketing
• Disrupted Rail Journeys
• Rural Transport Funding
• Air Passengers and Public Transport
• Bus Travel Experience
• Information on Bus Fares

Future work is planned to include -

• Further work on the facilities for and travel experience of bus passengers.
• Coach travel – a survey of various operators and the passenger experience
• Monitoring of the rail passenger experience including overcrowding and station facilities.
• Revisiting the issues of rail engineering work/ disruption and its effects on passengers
• A review of progress with multi modal ticketing (including PLUSBUS) since the publication of TWNW’s report on this subject in December 2005
• A practical exercise at sampled locations of varying size to see how well interchange between modes works in practice and what can be done to effect practical improvements, operationally and informatively.
• Further work on barriers to information about public transport access to Airports.
• Bringing forward passenger concerns to the attention of the appropriate providers and procurers and striving to achieve improvements on behalf of passengers.
• Reacting to consultation requests and other issue as they arise.

TWNW will continue to work in partnership with other user bodies including Passenger Focus, Bus Users UK, the Campaign for Better Transport and Railfuture.

See Study Reports page for the current Business Plan 2011-13.