The system will see the availability of all vehicles and enable any passenger to be booked on to the most appropriate vehicle for the requested journey, within agreed parameters. Operators likely to be included in the project include community transport providers, social services departments and health-related services.

Mobility Management will help to break down the ‘self imposed’ barriers that have been erected due to current funding mechanisms and associated service level agreements and contracts, in particular enabling journeys to take place between local authority areas, and allowing vehicles historically only available in a certain area to be used in a neighbouring one.

The concept of a single fleet will help to reduce the current costs of providing journeys through reductions in duplication and more efficient scheduling. Access to a single booking system will give more passengers increased opportunities to access facilities and services.

Whilst initially focusing on existing ‘traditional’ community transport and social services passengers in Sheffield, the project will broaden during it’s lifetime to include other socially excluded people for whom existing mainstream public transport is either not available or is inappropriate, and geographically to include all of South Yorkshire. This will include access to work, training and education opportunities.

More detailed information is available in the Mobility Management project business plan from Sheffield Community Transport.

For further information contact Sean: (0114) 285 9938 Email: sean@sheffieldct.co.uk