Parallel Transport Liaison Group

The PTLG brings together service users, parents and carers,The departments of Social Work, Education and BuildingServices, drivers, escorts and others who have an interest in Improving the internal transport service.

Replacing the fleet of old buses with brand new buses is the firstsuccess the group had but there are other challenges ahead.

Supported by Fair Deal, Glasgow 0141-533 2011.

Different types of transport are sometimes needed not only buses and taxis

People carriers could be used to carry small groups of peopleThey can be driven by any staff member and are easy to park

People could travel in staff members cars or cars provided by Social Work or Education

Customer Charter

Actively promoting the Customer Charter by visiting day centres schools and collegesMaking sure Building Services have the resources available so that the Transport Centre can work as it should do

Training for Taxi drivers

Glasgow City Council have agreed to the groups request for Disability awareness training for all Glasgow taxi drivers. The training course which will start in Oct. 2004 will be a mandatory requirement for all licenceholders.

Improve communications

Provide all escorts on buses and taxis with mobile phones This would allow them to contact families and staff quickly if there were delays with the transport serviceRaise the profile of Escorts

Campaign for full training of all Social Work and Education escortsRecognise the experience and benefits to be gained from this group of dedicated workers

Abuse of disabled parking spaces

Johann has put forward a motion to the Scottish Parliament asking for a system to be put in place to enforce the legal status of these bays by local authorities

With the appointment of Johann Lamont MSP to the chair the PTLG has a direct link to the Scottish Executive. Issues the group are working on are:

Issues Cont’d;

Implementation of the Best Value Review

To carry through the outstanding recommendations in this report which would allow the three departments of Social Work Education and Building Services to deliver the best possible mainstream and special education needs transport service

Supported by Fair Deal, Glasgow 0141-533 2011.

BVR

Transport managed by 1 Council Department

The full utilisation of the Transport Coordinating Centre to fully integrate the management and staffing resources to deliver mainstream and special education needs transport

Management of escorts

Escorts employed on transport services should be responsible to Social Work or Education for service quality and be managed by the proposed integrated management at the Transport Coordination Centre

The next PTLG meeting is on 27th August at 10.30amin the Centre for Independent Living

The address is 117-127 Brook Street Glasgow G40 3AP

If you require further information please contact Jim Thompson on 0141 533 2011 or mail me atjimthompson@fair-deal.org