TfGM launches new business portal to help organisations encourage staff to Get On Board

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched a new online portal to help the city-region’s business community encourage their workforce and customers to opt for public transport or active travel instead of the car.

The interactive online hub will be a ‘one stop shop’ for guidance for businesses looking to help staff and customers make more sustainable transport choices and to help shape the future of Greater Manchester’s plans for an integrated Bee Network of walking and cycle routes and public transport.

The online platform is part of TfGM’s Get On Board campaign to promote bus, tram and train travel, as well as walking and cycling. The launch follows the first steps taken to make bus travel more affordable, with capped single and daily fares introduced earlier this month, while the first franchised buses will hit the road from 2023.

Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner, said:

“The integrated Bee Network will help drive economic growth across our city-region, creating new jobs, housing and opportunity for all.

“Encouraging affordable sustainable travel for employees, customers and visitors will provide the platform to boost productivity and improve people’s health and wellbeing across the region. It also makes a huge contribution towards protecting the environment and helping to meet Greater Manchester’s carbon reduction targets.

“To support this, there will be a step change in how TfGM engages with businesses, including the new business portal providing information and advice on getting the best value for money tickets and sustainable transport choices.

“As we launch Get On Board, our major campaign to promote public transport and active travel, it’s never been a better time for businesses to encourage and embed sustainable travel choices for staff, customers and visitors.”

Visitors to the TfGM business portal will find resources for both employers and employees, ranging from travel planning tools such as travel survey templates through to information on new flexible tickets and active travel provision such as Greater Manchester’s cycle hire scheme.

A business commuter toolkit, recommended for medium-sized businesses with around 50 employees or more, is available for download, developed in partnership with local authorities, the Growth Company and informed by feedback from Greater Manchester businesses.

Smaller businesses can also share TfGM’s employee journey planning guide, which will support employees to plan their commute considering sustainable options at an individual level.

Steve Connor, Green Lead for the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and CEO of communications agency Creative Concern added:

“When it comes to Greater Manchester’s net-zero commitment, business has got a pivotal role in getting us there, whether it’s through their direct operations and emissions, or through the massive influence they have on society.

“Getting Greater Manchester’s workforce out of their cars and onto public transport or cycling and walking to work is a huge opportunity with massive benefits for the productivity of a business and the wellbeing of its staff, but it can also be good for a business’ brand if they can prove to partners and customers that they care about the environment and are taking action.”

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:

“Walking, wheeling or cycling is an important component of everyone’s working day and being active helps improve mental and physical health. We are working to build a network and places that not only help staff to get to and from work but enhance the opportunities for meetings to be held outside, and for staff to move during their breaks.

“The active travel links of the Bee Network are being created to provide greater flexibility for people’s journeys around the city region and the TfGM business portal will make journey planning even easier for employers and workers in Greater Manchester.

“High quality routes at Bee Network standard for walking, wheeling or cycling to a public transport stop – or the entire way should people feel able – will all be part of this journey planning tool, helping businesses support employees with a cost-effective and healthy way to get to and from their workplace.

“I do some of my best thinking when walking or cycling, and I regularly punctuate my day with some exercise; some of my most productive meetings have been when walking as it allows me to think more freely. I enjoy the flexibility of combining active travel and public transport for my journeys to work and this new platform will make it easier for others to do the same.”

Photo: Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner, launching the Get On Board campaign at MediaCityUK alongside Go North West’s Marc TarbuckAgree to terms.