Transport success for Bolton and the North West
24 June 2009
North West MYPs attend transport meeting by all the bus companies from within greater Manchester and the rest of North West.
As transport is a major key issue within UK Youth Parliament. Bolton decided to hold a regional meeting where by all the bus companies from within greater Manchester and the rest of North West. Due to this many of the North West MYP’s attended and found it very useful.
It started of open the event we had Peter Molyneux a director for the department of transport. He was very passionate and glad we had this event and was more then happy to open it.
The event was held before GMPTE a local North West company launched their young peoples panel whereby the MYP’s and DMYP’s from within the area will meet with the bus companies and be consulted on any new developments they may have.
The issues raised...
Many issues were raised in the event. Fares were discussed and we discussed the possibility of having a North West concession card for buses trains and trams making it easier for young people as well as the bus companies. This will be further discussed at the meetings held by GMPTE.
We brought up the fact that the complaints procedure and contact details were not very highlighted in young peoples view and that they should be brighter and bolder.
School buses were also discussed as this is a major problem within Bolton and we were told from the major bus companies in the area that solutions for this are being rectified. So this is a work in progress and the out come of this is that the major college within Bolton will now have a shuttle bus running to the campus from the town centre.
Highlights
The main highlight for the Bolton’s MYP’s was the turnout. We had a massive turnout from all over the North West. We had a lot of young people from within Bolton itself attending as well as members from school travel advisers from Bolton and Blackburn attended.
We also had members from Government office North West, Arriva bus Company, First Bus Company GMPTE and Northern Rail all of which are the main bus companies which run through the North West. We also had a representative from Transdev company, Warrington and BADGE (which is a disability group in Bolton) This to me is what success is the fact that these bus companies came to talk to young people and listened to our views and took them in to consideration.