Baroness Kramer: Implementation of the Door to Door strategy
Baroness Kramer writes a foreword for the Dods Transport Dialogue report which is published and officially launched today.
When we travel, our journeys often involve more than one mode of transport. We might cycle to the station, or choose to walk a short way to the bus stop. We want to make sure that people have real options in how they travel and make it easier to pick greener, healthier choices.
Since the Door to Door strategy was launched there have been two major funding announcements and much work which will improve everybody’s ability to make sure that journeys by public transport, by bicycle or on foot, are straight forward and well connected.
Last summer, the government set out its ambition for increased levels of cycling, in particular by helping our major cities outside London deliver a surge in cycling similar to that seen in the capital. The Prime Minister announced new funding for eight cites and four national parks to kick-start delivery of the ambition.
This was followed by further funding for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund for the financial year 2015/16. Local authorities have been invited to team up with their Local Enterprise Partnerships to bid for a share of £78.5m for sustainable transport projects.
We have made good progress encouraging the use of smartcard technology on public transport. Over 75 per cent of buses in England now have smart ticketing equipment. A pilot programme is currently taking place in Norfolk that will help us to understand the opportunities that smart ticketing brings to smaller operators and their passengers.
However, there is more to be done. We will continue to work towards making transport smarter, harnessing technology and innovation to make it easier and more convenient for people to make greener and healthier travel choices.
I am grateful for the work Dods has been undertaking; focussing on the integration of sustainable transport, including implementation of the Department’s Door to Door strategy. This report supports our vision of improving the door to door journey and the recommendations contained within provide us with food for thought about where we can focus future policy design.
Baroness Kramer is Minister of State for Transport
