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Workplace Travel Plans

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The New Plymouth District Council as part of the Let’s Go Project want to work with organisations, schools and community groups throughout New Plymouth to encourage, support and educate around travel planning.

What is a travel plan?

It is a tool for managing the travel generated by an organisation or community with the aim of reducing environmental impacts, improving health outcomes, saving money for individual, organisations and reducing traffic congestion. 

It looks at how to reduce the number of vehicles coming into an organisation, in particular by utilising walking, cycling, bussing and ride sharing.  It is not anti car but is about how to encourage people to look at their car use and choose healthier cheaper alternatives when available.

• What is a Travel Plan document (One page 68.6KB PDF)

What are the benefits of a travel plan?

• Happier and healthier employees who are more productive.
• Cost savings for organisations that provide car parks or utilise fleet vehicles.
• A greater sense of community within neighbouring businesses and local residents.
• Projection of a good Corporate Image.

What does our organisation need to do to have a travel plan?

• A commitment to reduce the number of car journeys to and from the organisation.
• Look at how your organisation can support its employees to utilise other forms of transport such as walking, cycling, using the bus and ride sharing (looking at safe routes for cycling and walking, infrastructure such as changing facilities, bike lock ups, incentives such as discounts on shoes, public transport or funky branded merchandise).

What does a travel plan look like?

A travel plan will vary from organisation to organisation; there is no hard or fast rule.  For some it will be a written document signed off by senior management while for others it will be a statement of intent.  It is important to note that a Travel Plan is an active process which will change over time and needs to be flexible to accommodate our changing environments.   The Let’s Go team will work with you to decide what will work best for your organisation.

The Key components to a successful Travel Plan are:

• Commitment to reducing car usage, in particular single occupancy vehicles.
• Staff involvement and buy in.

What support will the Let’s Go team give?

• Provision of a Starter Pack with tips and suggestions.
• Support from the Let’s Go Travel Planner every step of the way, and potential financial support with infrastructure and incentive schemes.
• Links to cycling skill training programmes and other health & safety links.
• Improved public infrastructure for safer/easier walking and cycling throughout the district.

Your organisation may already have the bones of a Travel Plan in place and just need a bit of support to bring it together, or you may need to start from scratch. Either way, contact the Let’s Go Travel Planner Liz Beck to discuss, 759 6060 or email becke@npdc.govt.nz to register your interest.