Corporate report

DPTAC Main Committee meeting minutes December 2023

Updated 13 February 2024

11:00am to 15:00pm, 6 December 2023, Department for Transport (DfT) London and online.

Attendees

DPTAC: Matthew Campbell-Hill (Chair), Will Bee, Roger Mackett, Mike Brace, Bryan Matthews, Helen Dolphin, Dave Partington, Niki Glazier, Sharon Brennan.

Guests: Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS), Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) (12:45), Transport Focus (TF), Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), DfT Bus Reform, DfT Rail, DfT Local Transport Co-director.

Apologies: Welsh Government, Cabinet Office Disability Unit, Sue Sharp.

Introduction, conflicts of interest and minutes of previous main meeting

The Chair asked for new real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest with the items on the agenda: none were identified.

DPTAC advice provided during the previous quarter

DPTAC provided 21 pieces of advice to DfT over the past quarter. These included:

• maritime passenger accessibility survey 2023
• bus and coach passenger rights regulations review survey
• initial advice on cross-pavement cable solutions
• e-cycles
• future rail retail and assistance facilities
• rail interoperability standards, regarding separation of persons with reduced mobility (PRM) national technical specification notices (NTSN) from interoperability framework
• draft National Rail accessibility strategy document
• response to the disability action plan consultation
• proposed revisions to the oversight of the inclusive transport strategy
• bus and coach accessibility and inclusivity questionnaire
• use of accessible formats in a rail station accessibility survey
• London Underground Limited’s draft accessible travel policy document and passenger leaflet
• Porterbrook (Chiltern Railways) persons with reduced mobility national technical specification note dispensation request
• transport artificial intelligence strategy
• pilot projects for the use of artificial intelligence
• battery safety guidance for e-cycles/e-scooters
• future regulation of e-scooters
• Department for Business and Trade’s guidance on minimum service levels: issuing work notices, a guide for employers, trade unions, and workers
• rail alternative disputes resolution scheme closure and development/launch of the replacement scheme
• development of a venue accessibility checklist to ensure accessible venues for internal DfT events

Secretariat update

The Secretariat provided an update on specific projects including progress on the launch of a recruitment campaign for new committee members, the laying and publication of DPTAC’s annual reports for 2018 to 2019, 2020 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 (subsequently published on 15 December 2023), monitoring of DPTAC’s work programme and an update on IT.

Working practices forward look

The Chair mentioned there is ongoing discussion on an interim approach to handling DPTAC business while the committee operates with a limited number of members. He also mentioned the opportunity for those with the capacity to contribute to work in other areas to manage resource pressures.

Network North

DfT’s local transport co-director provided an overview of the background to the Network North plan following the Prime Minister’s announcement of cancelling the north leg of the High Speed 2 (HS2) project.

Money released from HS2 A and B will be reinvested in the north, HS2 East will also be reinvested in the Midlands, and the £6.5 billion saved through new Euston arrangements will be spread across the country.

Funding will be used to shift DfT’s approach to transport infrastructure in line with these priorities: operating better connectivity between and within towns and cities and improving local journeys.

As part of Network North, there will be increased uplift in funding for major road network schemes and the city region sustainable transport settlements (CRSTS).

There will also be the creation of a new local integrated transport settlements (LITS) fund for smaller cities, towns and rural areas in the north and Midlands that are not eligible for CRSTS. Local authorities will be expected to produce a delivery plan setting out how they intend to spend this money and DfT intends to produce guidance for local authorities.

There is also a significant £8.3 billion uplift in funding to resurface roads and consider improvements to footways.

The Chair noted the angle of pavements can be a challenge, particularly for wheelchair users and is keen to see how this will be approached to ensure interventions are joined up, recognising that they are often siloed.

DPTAC questioned whether there will be any consideration of the carbon reduction agenda. DfT confirmed consideration of carbon will be included within guidance.

DPTAC asked whether a requirement will be set for local authorities to consult with their community. DfT confirmed there will be an expectation of community engagement when transport authorities develop local delivery plans. This would be proportionate depending on the scale of schemes. DPTAC noted there is often a lack of time and consideration provided during this type of engagement, and that disabled people are more likely to be impacted by this. Community engagement on Network North achievement plans provides an opportunity to resolve this. 

The next step is to publish further details on GOV.UK, including guidance on the use of funds and the accountability process.

DfT mentioned there is also an increase in funding for the rail Access for All programme, which is national. DPTAC asked what period this covers.

Action 1: DfT to revert when they would welcome feedback on the guidance.

Action 2: DfT to follow up with rail colleagues on a time period.

Transport select committee

The Chair briefly set out the transport select committee’s (TSC) main lines of inquiry: policy and culture, legislative and regulatory framework, the role and effectiveness of regulators and operators and the inclusive transport strategy.

A main role of DPTAC will be to consider how the select committee recommendations, which are expected to come in the new year, are implemented.

The select committee will compile a report summarising the scope of the inquiry, important findings and recommendations for improving transport accessibility.

DfT will consider the TSC’s recommendations and will involve DPTAC in its response.

DPTAC’s comments on the TSC included the importance of focusing on user outcomes to humanise the process and measuring based on experiences, noting a lack of research and the value-focused support for research would hold.

DPTAC noted the limited change in the travel gap between disabled and non-disabled people despite transport improvements over the years and encouragement to use the transport system. The committee agreed it would be useful to understand why disabled people are not changing their travel patterns and making more journeys by public transport to help inform changes.

Contactless ticketing project

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) explained that the purpose of the multi-operator contactless ticketing system (cEMV) contactless capping solution is to facilitate pay-as-you-go multi-operator contactless ticketing on bus and tram services in England outside of London.

TfWM is working with Project Coral, a consortium of bus operators, to procure a single, national IT solution.

The solution will be available to all local transport authorities (LTAs) outside London and open to anyone with a contactless payment card – digital or non-digital. 

DPTAC mentioned the need to ensure that greater uptake of smart ticketing does not result in digital exclusion. TfWM is aware of the risk of digital exclusion and will work with both LTAs and operators during deployment to ensure the risk is minimised if not removed.

DPTAC asked whether the scheme incorporates concessionary passes. Concessions are considered part of the development and will be discussed further once a successful supplier is appointed. DPTAC also noted the importance of completing an equality impact assessment to identify any risks and issues associated with the development of the solution as well as mitigating actions.

Action: DPTAC to respond with further feedback on the project.

Ticket office closure consultation findings

Transport Focus (TF) outlined the main findings from the ticket office closures consultation, including issues and barriers disabled people are facing when travelling.

TF provided a brief overview of its role in the process of potential changes to ticket offices, including the ticketing and settlement agreement.

TF identified approximately 6 themes across passenger responses, which included:

• the importance of staff presence
• reliance on staff to translate the best ticket options
• accessing support easily
• provision of information during journey planning and disruption

DPTAC questioned how the data was sampled. TF clarified standard templates were separated from other templates and each response was logged against 12 criteria.

DPTAC noted varying responses between train operating companies (TOCs), with some increasing hours of staffing and others limiting them. See Transport Focus’ analysis of the train operator proposals for more information.

TF also intended to summarise findings from the responses provided on the ticket office closure consultation.

Action: Transport Focus to share a link to the letters with the DPTAC Secretariat.

TF discussed the issue of welcome points – noting passengers, particularly those who are visually impaired, having concerns regarding the lack of obvious contact points. TF welcomed DPTAC’s views on this concept. The committee intended to engage with industry on the issue.

Any other business

It was agreed that the next main meeting will be held on 20 March 2024.