In an attempt to improve local transport services, share transport resources, and identify ‘transport blackspots’, the new Westmeath Integrated Transport Initiative was launched last Thursday in the presence of a large gathering of 120 people.
The initiative is an attempt to address the lack of integration between the various transport services operating in the county, which were providing a service for a number of organisations including the Westmeath Community Development’s disability working group, the Community and Voluntary Forum, and the Older Persons Forum.
A steering group was established which included all the community, voluntary, and statutory agencies providing bus transportation in the county. The group included representatives from Westmeath County Council, FAS, Westmeath Rural Community Transport Initiative, the National Learning Network, Irish Wheelchair Association, Westmeath Community Development, the HSE, and Friends of People with Disabilities.
The initiative involved the group working together to improve the delivery of bus transportation in Westmeath; GIS mapping of the existing routes of statutory and voluntary groups; identifying where agencies can facilitate clients of other agencies; and examining the gaps in transport routes and where possible developing a bus service for these routes.
Speaking at the launch in Mullingar’s County Buildings, secretary general to the Department of Transport, Tom O’Mahony, said he was very impressed with the initiative and that the project was a great example of collaborative work and good practice which other counties and organisations could learn from and adopt.
He added that the programme demonstrated well an integrated system of delivering bus transportation, creating better value for money service, and enabling the bridging of gaps in existing transport services.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Mick Dollard commended Westmeath County Council on their work in chairing the steering committee and developing a new computer programme to facilitate the initiative. A live demonstration of the benefits of the new initiative was well received.
To access the Integrated Transport Initiative, visit the new Westmeath County Council website at www.westmeathcoco.ie and click on the Transport Integrate Initiative icon.
