Role public and community transport plays in health outlined in new report
14 Mar 2024
A report presented to the Northumberland Health and Wellbeing Board has detailed the vital role that public and community transport systems play in keeping Northumberland residents healthy.
The report highlights, how they help people access healthcare services, education and employment, as well as allowing people to stay socially connected.
The Health Needs Assessment of Public and Community Transport identified what communities in Northumberland need when it comes to transport, as well as what transport provision currently exists. By identifying the gap between what is needed and what is there, key priorities moving forward have been developed.
Inequalities exist in access to transport and consequently to the things that keep residents healthy and thriving such as hospitals, pharmacies, work, school, friends, family and leisure facilities such as the cinema or the gym.
Whilst the challenges faced by many residents are described in the report, such as lack of a regular or evening bus service - particularly in rural parts of the county - it also highlighted the excellent work already being done and how this could be strengthened even further.
To help build a fairer and more sustainable public and community transport network recommendations included:
· Prioritising transport as a key factor in sustaining good health by working with healthcare partners, business partners and employability schemes, as well as highlighting transport in key Council strategies.
· Ensuring the sustainability of the public transport network by using data to guide future decisions, highlighting rural transport needs in regional work, lobbying for the continuation of the £2 cap fare and investing into digital public transport platforms.
· Ensuring the sustainability of community transport networks by advocating for longer-term funding cycles for providers and facilitating closer collaboration between providers and Northumberland County Council to help support them in their work.
· Supporting those at highest risk of transport-related exclusion by taking a ‘place-based’ approach to community transport to ensure that provision is tailored to community’s needs, working to increase awareness of concessionary passes and ensuring that passengers with extra needs are supported through the consistent use of audio announcements on buses, improved driver training and clear timetabling both online and in bus stops and train stations.
Northumberland County Councillor Veronica Jones, cabinet member for Improving Public Health and Wellbeing said: “We know that good public and community transport systems are key to supporting all our residents, but particularly those who would struggle to access services and opportunities without them.
“In Northumberland we are committed to helping our communities live happy, healthy and independent lives. Our transport networks are a key part of that picture, and we will stive to
work with partners and service providers to ensure our residents are well serviced wherever they live in the county.” You can read the executive summary and full report HERE.