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• Access Guide
• Introduction

Welcome to the fourth edition of Merseytravel's Access Guide to local transport in Merseyside.

Merseytravel’s aim is to provide a single integrated public transport network that is accessible to everyone. Our commitment to that remains undiminished.

Working alongside the five local authorities in Merseyside through the latest Local Transport Plan (LTP2 – 2006-2011), we are continuing to improve access to key facilities for all in the community.

More than 200,000 people in Merseyside have some form of disability. Many rely on a wide range of services and facilities provided by Merseytravel including:-

• The Merseylink service - which offers a fully accessible transport door-to-door service for Merseylink members;
• Free concessionary travel for more than 48,000 people with an eligible disability;
• Developing 15 high quality fully accessible SMART bus corridors linking all the main centres in Merseyside, in partnership with bus companies and local authorities;
• Continuing work to improve the accessibility of Merseyrail trains and stations, including the installation of induction loops at all merseyrail stations;
• Providing a network of fully accessible bus stations and travel centres across Merseyside;
• Continuing to pioneer TravelSafe, our cross industry initiative between Merseytravel, operators, Police and others, to address issues of crime and disorder associated with public transport across Merseyside. Our aim is to deliver "secure public transport for all" and we recognise the particular needs and concerns of disabled people. We use a strategy of Divert, Deter and Detect along with a broad spectrum of interventions including education, youth work, target hardening, capable guardians and joint operations with the police.
• We have introduced advanced intelligence systems for the analysis of hotspot areas and seek to develop increasingly sophisticated measures such as on bus CCTV to reduce incidents and reassure passengers.
• Ensuring the development of an integrated network of local buses, trains and Mersey Ferries.
• The multi award-winning Traveline team are available on 0870 608 2 608.

Since the last edition of the Access Guide, Merseytravel has continued with its ambitious programme to improve all aspects of public transport across Merseyside, with the development of the new Paradise Street Interchange, the fully accessible £10million Spaceport attraction and the multi-award winning Liverpool South Parkway interchange.

Detailed design features in all our new buildings include easy access doors, colour contrast design features to assist partially sighted people, variable height ticket counters, accessible WCs, high visibility signage, induction loop systems for people with impaired hearing and a highly visible staff presence to assist all passengers.

Transport is vital to giving people freedom of choice. Accessibility and usability are at the forefront of the development of all our schemes. We see that as an incredibly important part of our new designs because everyone should have the opportunity to reap the benefits new transport links can bring.

We are confident that this guide, which gives information on access to Merseyside's bus, train, ferry, road tunnels, concessionary travel and taxi services, will be an invaluable tool for everyone in planning their journey.

Local Transport Plan Equals Access

Building a fully integrated and accessible transport network for Merseyside requires long and careful planning - a strategic vision.

Merseytravel has built a framework for action, developed in partnership with the creative forces behind Merseyside's renaissance.

Working together, the leading agencies for change can make a real difference to people's lives.

Merseytravel is a major contributor to the delivery of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) for Merseyside which sets out the region's transport programme for five years with a ten year vision.

The £230 million package of investment will tackle the LTPs main priorities of reducing congestion, air pollution and road casualties and increasing everyones ability to access opportunities whether these are jobs, education or health.

The LTP will help make Merseyside a world-class city-region that attracts people to live, work, invest and visit.

The whole programme is fully informed by Merseytravel's core values which are based on the organisation's focus on community service, open, accountable and committed to raising standards for everyone in Merseyside.

And we have set tough goals to judge ourselves by.

We aim to gradually reverse many years of declining bus use in Merseyside and increase overall bus use by 1%.  We intend to ensure that almost 90% of buses will be fully accessible by the end of 2010 and we will more than double the number stops which offer level boarding.

Our massive investment in the Merseyrail network will go on.  In recent years we have taken over the Merseyrail Electrics franchise and overseen a £34m refurbishment of the trains, built the new award winning Liverpool South Parkway interchange and improved facilities at 52 interchange sites.  We also delivered additional capacity on the City Line.

We will upgrade the facilities and security at 15 stations and provide step-free access arrangements at a further 5 stations.

We will continue to install high quality SMART style bus shelters on important routes and deliver bus priority schemes in order to make bus travel fast and competitive.

Theres a bright future ahead, with everyone working together to make transport a top priority.