Jamieson mobilises technology for travellers In the future you could be making your travel plans by using a combination of the Internet, mobile or WAP phone, digital TV or road side kiosks, Transport Minister David Jamieson told the Transport Direct Forum, meeting in London this morning.
Transport Direct, an ambitious vision of travel information and retailing in the future, aims to provide the traveller with all the information they need before and during a journey anywhere in the UK and with the ability to buy the associated tickets.
The Forum brought together a wide range of representatives from local authorities, transport operators, telecommunication and technology providers in a series of workshops to explore the introduction of a truly integrated and unique travel information service.
By 2003 Transport Direct is expected to include:

á real time train operating information - actual rather than timetabled;
á real time information of local bus services;
á travel information on the interest, covering road journeys as well as al public transport modes at a single point of contact;
á booking of long distance multi-modal journeys on the interest;
á development of interest-based maps highlighting public transport options on a local and regional basis.
Transport Minister David Jamieson said:

“Transport Direct is an exciting programme that will put technology to work for the benefit of every traveller. With transport operators, technology providers and Government working together, truly integrated travel information and retailing will no longer be a dream but a reality.
“And that reality will give people more choice about how they get around. For a business trip, a journey to work, or a day out, accessible information that is easy to understand will enable people to select the quickest or cheapest options and then buy their tickets.
“Delivering the vision is as much a challenge for transport operators and technology providers as for Government. This Forum gives us the chance to share views and begin building the relationships to take Transport Direct forward. I am confident that the result will be real and lasting benefits for every traveller.” Notes to editors.
1. The Transport Direct programme was announced in the Government`s 10-year transport plan and features in the manifesto. Transport Direct will cover all types of transport within the UK - air, rail, coach, bus and car. It may also be extended to include information for cyclists and walkers.
2. Transport Direct will build on the partnerships that delivered traveline, a one-call telephone service giving people timetable information all forms of public transport. traveline is now running throughout Great Britain.
3. Consultancy Cap Gemini Ernst and Young on behalf of the Government have considered how Transport Direct might best be achieved. They concluded that Government should act as influencer and enabler, to build on and develop the initiatives already undertaken; by the private sector.
4. The aim of the Transport Direct Forum is to bring together representatives of local authorities, transport operators including the major rail and bus operators, technology providers including the mobile communications providers, and those already operating in the transport information and retailing field, to try to forger working relationships in order to take Transport Direct forward. The event is designed so that participants can:
á learn about Transport Direct in more depth;
á meet key people from other stakeholders helping to develop the programme;
á explore key issues of common interest; and
á share with us their views on how the programme should be taken forward.
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