The country’s first quality network partnership has been formed in Hertfordshire, thanks to new powers in the Local Transport Act 2008.
The ‘Network St Albans’ partnership is the first to take advantage of new powers in the Act, which loosen competition laws and allow transport operators to work together, as long as the local council says it is in the public interest.
The St Albans partnership includes Hertfordshire County Council, St Albans District Council, the University of Hertfordshire, four bus operators and two rail operators. It will work on joint marketing, regular interval services on main routes, inter-available tickets and passes, and measures to cut congestion affecting buses.
The partnership will start by reviewing St Albans’ entire transport network, to identify areas in most need of improvement. Smaller schemes already under way include creating new maps for bus stops to make bus routes clearer. Bus priority at some junctions is also being examined.
The partnership will also give consideration to the impact of the existing transport network on the environment, and consider sustainable ‘green’ travel solutions which will reduce pollution.
Stephen Joseph, chair of the partnership and executive director of Campaign for Better Transport, said he hoped the scheme would be replicated across the country to improve public transport.
‘This is a new kind of partnership in that it covers a whole area, rather than just individual routes, includes co-operation between operators on fares and frequencies, and brings in rail as well as buses,’ he said.
‘This will allow services and networks to be developed and co-ordinated in passengers’ interests, and will also give councils confidence to invest in services and infrastructure.’
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