News - New Public Transport Users' Committee members appointed.

15th March 2011

The Deputy First Minister has announced the membership of the newly established Public Transport Users' Committee for Wales

The Committee will seek to contribute to the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategic objectives to:

• Support the greater integration and interchange between different modes of transport, for example between buses, trains, taxis, and community transport.
• Make public transport services more attractive to the needs of individuals and communities by improving, for example, the quality of passenger information, and increasing the responsiveness, reliability, and security of public transport services.
• Promote social inclusion (making services available to all members of the public) through the further development of an affordable, accessible public transport system which meets the needs of all passengers and works to remove access and mobility barriers for all public transport users.
• Encourage more sustainable modes of transport (for example, buses, trains, taxis, walking, cycling and community transport) thereby reducing the need for travel by car.

The Public Transport Users’ Committee for Wales is a new advisory committee set up to provide advice to Welsh Ministers about strategic issues relating to public transport services in Wales. The main aim of the Committee is to provide a perspective based on the experiences and needs of people who use public transport as part of their everyday lives.

The Minister said, “We need to ensure that our public transport network meets the needs of all passengers across Wales so it is vital that we as a Government listen and engage with its users.”

“This Committee will play a key advisory role in providing a passengers’ perspective and assist in the development of national transport policies and their implementation and I am delighted that the members are now in post.”

The Committee will have its first meeting on Thursday 24 March. The members, who have been appointed for three years initially, have a wealth of experience including in the fields of transport, business, social inclusion, local government, the environment and working with young people.

Adele Baumgardt, who has been appointed the first Chair of the Committee, said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to chair the Committee. The Committee members bring a wide and diverse range of experience, knowledge and expertise to our work. I look forward to working with them on these critical issues which matter so much to the economy and citizens of Wales. The Committee will have a number of challenges in our first year, but we are determined to make sure that we engage with transport users and other key partners and reflect their views.”

Adele has extensive experience in all aspects of equality and diversity, previously being the Director of Policy at the Equal Opportunities Commission for Wales from 1999 until 2007 and since a self-employed consultant on equality and diversity. Adele is a frequent user of public transport and uses it to travel all over Wales. Adele has worked with a number of organisations including Bridgend College and the Welsh Consumer Council on projects looking at accessibility and public transport.

The Committee will meet on a quarterly rotational basis throughout the four transport regions of Wales (South East, South West, Mid and North Wales) During its first year the Committee will be taking evidence from a range of stakeholders on the issues relating to public transport in their region. The Committee will report to the Minister on a regular basis.