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Double success for
Merseytravel at National Transport Awards
MERSEYTRAVEL enjoyed a double
celebration at the National Transport Awards on Thursday, 8 October 2015, as it came
out on top in the Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) of the Year and Ferry
Operator of the Year categories.
The National Transport Awards, bring together the people making a real
difference to transport across the UK, attracting over 800 senior transport
professionals including Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP who gave the
keynote address.
In winning the Integrated Transport Authority of the Year award, Merseytravel
saw off competition from Transport for Greater Manchester, Centro (West
Midlands) and Nexus (North East).
When explaining the reasons for giving the accolade to Merseytravel, the judges
cited successes in introducing new tickets and in setting out long term plans,
with Merseytravel's 5 year Transport Plan for Growth taking a new
perspective, seeing transport as a driver for economic growth.
They also mentioned success in reducing the cost of bus travel for young people
through the introduction of MyTicket as well as the launch of smart ticketing,
with Merseyside's smart ticketing scheme already the most active outside of
London.
For the Ferry Operator award, Mersey Ferries came out on top against DFDS
Seaways, MBNA Thames Clippers, Calmac, The Cremyll Ferry and Red Funnel Isle Of
Wight Ferries. The judges praised the work done to reduce the subsidy,
increasing patronage and the innovative partnership with Liverpool Biennial,
1418 NOW and Tate Liverpool on the "Dazzle Ferry".
As well as the success in the ITA of the Year and Ferry Operator of the Year
awards, the MyTicket scheme and Merseyrail were also shortlisted in the Most
Innovative Transport Project and Rail Operator of the Year categories
respectively.
Liam Robinson, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- "We are delighted to have
received such prestigious awards and it is a testament to the hard work put in
by the staff at Merseytravel and across the wider Liverpool City Region.
Although it is great to receive such recognition, it is important that we keep
the momentum going and look at how we can push our City region on further. We
want to carry on being seen as an innovative region which sees transport as key
to economic growth." |
