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6 SE TRAVEL INITIATIVES AND FACILITIES

6.1 Awareness of travel plan

Less than one third of respondents (29%) are aware of the Scottish Executive Travel Plan. Awareness of the travel plan is higher in Edinburgh (30%) than in Glasgow (18%), possibly because the Travel Plan to date has included only Edinburgh locations. Awareness is also higher amongst the '20% most environmentally active' than other respondents, suggesting that those interested in their impact on the environment more generally are more likely to seek out information about the plan.

There is little difference in awareness of the Travel Plan according to gender or age, although awareness increases with seniority, with 36% of SCS respondents aware of the plan, compared to 28% of A band respondents.

Discussion group respondents were generally unsure about the objectives of the Travel Plan and emphasised the need for better communication and promotion of the plan. They had mixed views about what it should contain, but in general felt the focus should be business travel rather than travel to work, with an emphasis on reducing costs.

It has to be more than just an article in the SEN. I think it has to be higher profile than that .. it has to be marketed a bit better. Edinburgh public transport user/walker

A: It has to be meaningful. It can't just be yet another piece of paper .. B: It has to actually have an impact .. C: It should benefit people. Edinburgh public transport users/walkers

I don't think the travel plan should include travel to work because I just don't think that's their concern. I think yes, it definitely should cover options for business. Pentland House car user

6.2 Awareness of SE travel initiatives and facilities

In the case of the initiatives and facilities mentioned in the survey, the majority are aware of the initiatives/facilities, but uptake varies considerably. For example, awareness of interest free salary advances for annual season tickets and bicycles/cycling equipment is reasonably high (60% and 61% respectively), but uptake is lower, with around one fifth (17%) purchasing season tickets through the initiative and 5% purchasing bicycles/cycling equipment through the initiative.

The Edinburgh 'City Singles' are the most used initiative (57%), while the salary advance for bicycles/equipment is least used (5%). Awareness and uptake are slightly higher for video conferencing (87% awareness, 45% usage) than for telephone conferencing (83% awareness, 40% usage).

Table 10 Are you aware of the following Scottish Executive initiatives / facilities? (Q29)
Base: All respondents (uw 2093, w 5032)

Discussion group comments focused on video conferencing and the advance salary schemes for purchasing season tickets, bicycles and cycling equipment. These are outlined below.

6.2.1 Interest-free advance of salary for purchasing an annual public transport season ticket

A small number of respondents had used this initiative and found it very helpful. Others, however, were reluctant/unable to use the scheme for the following reasons.

• Scheme does not apply to Glasgow zone cards
• Fear of losing the ticket
• Don't want to commit for whole year
• Direct debit is cheaper
• Don't want the effort of applying
• Pay back is over 10 months not 12 months

I think if it wasn't for the scheme where you can get a loan for your ticket, my ticket is £1,700 a year .. I would be very much tempted back into my car. Glasgow public transport user

What always put me off the yearly transport thing was losing the ticket. Glasgow public transport user/walker

I'm not in the habit I suppose of tying myself into anything. Glasgow public transport user/walker

6.2.2 Interest-free advance of salary for purchasing bicycles and related equipment

Attitudes to this initiative were mixed, but some felt that the incentive should be greater, for example, the bicycle grants of the option to buy bicycles tax-free.

I think it's a very good scheme.. I've never used it, but I would if I was replacing my bike. Cyclist

Getting a loan for a bike isn't much incentive .. it would be much better if you actually got a bike grant .. they provide free parking for thousands at VQ, which is effectively a huge grant for all car drivers .. they could do a lot more to encourage cycling than just offering a pay back loan. Cyclist

6.2.3 Provision of Edinburgh 'City Single' bus tickets

Generally respondents felt this scheme worked well.

6.2.4 Provision of the SE Car Pool

Discussion group respondents commented on the following issues concerning the SE car pool:

• Availability
  - often booked up, belong to particular divisions

• Responsibility for upkeep
  - off-putting if car user responsible for maintenance

• Size of cars
  - large cars difficult to manoeuvre

• Using the LPG cars
  - hassle to refuel because of lack of garages with LPG

• Using the electric car
  - first time users need 'lesson' to feel confident using these

6.2.5 Provision of video/telephone conferencing facilities

Respondents comment on the pros and cons of video/teleconferencing. Many would prefer using these facilities to travelling to London for a short meeting, but feel the effectiveness of the technology depends on factors such as whether you are meeting contacts for the first time/how frequently you meet them.

It's also very dependent on whether you've met the people before .. it's not nearly as effective as actually trying to get thing done face to face if you haven't met them. Edinburgh public transport user/walker

Video conferencing is ideal if you're having regular meetings. If the meeting are infrequent a lot of times actually physically getting together .. face to face .. [is better] Saughton House car user

Generally, respondents prefer video conferencing over telephone conferencing, because of importance of non-verbal communication. They also acknowledge that using the technology gets easier with practice.

The first few times I used it, I wasn't comfortable.. two years later.. everyone was completely relaxed and it's not much different from a face to face meeting. Cyclist

Experience using the facilities varies, with some encountering difficulties, but others finding it easy to use.

The other thing about the telephone conferencing facility is there's never a technician around when it goes wrong. Edinburgh public transport user/walker

I thought it was absolutely brilliant. We've got new equipment upstairs and it's great. Glasgow public transport user/walker

Generally, respondents are in favour of video/telephone conferencing, and would like to see provision of these facilities upgraded and extended.

6.2.6 Potential improvements to current initiatives

Overall, discussion group respondents would like to see the following improvements to current initiatives:

• Salary advances for zone cards
• A season ticket scheme cheaper than direct debit
• Greater incentives to cycle (tax-free bicycle purchase or grants)
• House team to be responsible for car pool maintenance
• Upgraded and extended video/telephone conferencing provision

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