Lib Dems Call for Urgency in Transport Coordination

John Doran, Lib Dem spokesman on Transport, last week proposed a motion calling for more urgency in the development of the Transport Co-ordination Centre (TCC). In October 2004 the Executive of the Council had endorsed the proposal to set up a TCC, which was backed by all parties because it was claimed that there could be a 10% saving on a budget of £45 million.

Besides saving money, it was stated at that time that the TCC would deliver other benefits such as:

• Improved public transport;
• Reduced congestion;
• A reduced carbon footprint;
• Better services to the many clients of Surrey, such as children going to school, special needs transport and transport for the elderly;
• Better resources for community transport projects in Surrey.

John Doran said, "Unfortunately the Council has wasted millions in pursuing the infamous BDR rather than focusing on a project that saves money (up to £5 million) and delivers improved services.

Officers spent 2 years getting everything in place to have the necessary software to run the TCC, only to be told that they could not proceed because this now did not fit the procurement process laid down under BDR.

Because the service is very much concerned with coordinating school journeys it is now too late for the year 2007/8 and this will therefore not come into force until 2008/9, four years after first getting the go ahead. What a diabolical waste of taxpayers' money."