Step 2: Defining Roles & Responsibilities
The success of any Travel Plan depends on the support of all staff. This section explores how the allocation of roles and responsibilities underpins the planning process and, ultimately, can help ensure engagement with your plan's objectives.
The importance of broad engagement with the Travel Planning process
Involving a broad range of people in the planning process at an early stage will help promote a sense of ownership over its aims and objectives and provide a pool of support to draw on throughout the life of the plan.
Doing so will also help stimulate thought and debate around sustainable travel options among employees.
Nominating a Travel Plan Co-ordinator and establishing a Steering Group are fundamental to the process. Meanwhile, fostering Partnerships with other organisations will be helpful in many cases.
Another useful step is to establish Transport Mode Groups such as for people who cycle or car-share or who wish to in the future.
Travel Plan Co-ordinator
This person (or persons) will have day-to-day responsibility for running the Travel Plan and provide the overall co-ordination required to deliver it.
A Travel Plan Co-ordinator should be well placed within an organisation to further the aims of the Travel Plan, have knowledge of the Travel Planning process and good contacts with relevant parties.
In smaller organisations this could be an existing member of staff.
Steering Group
Having a Steering Group will help ensure that wider views are taken into account, and assist the Co-ordinator in developing and implementing the Travel Plan.
The Steering Group should have representatives from each department of the organisation and from senior management. Collectively, they should have the range of skills and experience to help the Travel Plan Co-ordinator deliver the Travel Plan.
Having representatives on the Steering Group will also help departments take ownership of the plan.
Partnerships
Working in partnership with other organisations, neighbours and staff is key to delivering a successful Travel Plan.
Consider entering into partnership with other organisations in your area that are setting up, or thinking of setting up their own Travel Plan.
Your local authority and local bus operators should also be part of the partnership.
Partnerships can assist with the development and implementation of Travel Plans:
- through the sharing of experiences and ideas
- through the pooling of resources
- by enabling a common voice during negotiations with transport providers and local authorities
Transport Mode Groups
Mode Groups enable consultation on the specific requirements for each mode of transport, as well as providing a mutual support network to share ideas.
Members can act as advocates for that mode within the organisation, while the Groups themselves will provide forums in which to discuss and share experience, comment on the Travel Plan, or provide suggestions on how their particular mode could be encouraged within the Travel Plan.
The most common groups are: Bicycle User Groups, Walking Action Groups, Public Transport User Groups, Motorcycle User Groups and Postcode Coffee Clubs.
Union representatives and key departmental staff
Union officials and Human Resources, Payroll/Finance, Fleet and Car Leasing department staff will have an essential role to play in all stages of the Plan. Getting staff from these areas on board will play a crucial part in the future acceptance and take-up of the Travel Plan.
External supports
Your Local Authority, Regional Transport Partnership (RTP) and Public Transport Operator(s) will be fully supportive of your Travel Plan and should be contacted early in the planning process to discuss how you can support each other's aims.
In some instances, they may be able to provide you with specific assistance in implementing your Travel Plan. At the same time, early engagement with local authorities and transport providers may make it possible for your organisation to inform discussions around improvements to local travel infrastructure.
NEXT: Step 3: Surveying the Current Situation »
