§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what publicity campaigns his Department has planned to encourage more people to use public transport. [162038]
§ Mr. McNultyPublicity campaigns to encourage use of public transport are generally taken forward by individual transport operators. The Department has focused on the provision of better transport information and in increasing consumer choice in our publicity campaigns. We have promoted "traveline", a public information number giving route and timetable information for journeys by bus, coach, train, tram, ferry and metro and will shortly be launching and promoting "Transport Direct" an interactive journey planner covering all major forms of transport.
Last September, the Department, together with the Department for Education, also announced a school travel campaign aimed at tackling congestion around the school run. This involves substantial funding to allow local authorities to recruit school travel advisers and publication of an 'Action Plan' to help schools promote safe and healthy travel to school. In addition, we have also worked with consumer and lifestyle press to stimulate publicity on school travel, encouraging alternatives to the use of the car.