U N I V E R S I T Y O F WA L E S I N S T I T U T E , C A R D I F F AT H R O FA P R I F Y S G O L C Y M R U, C A E R DY D D

TRAVELPLANAnnual Report 2010

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The Board of Governors andSenior Managers at UWICrecognise the obligation whichthe Institute has to adopt aresponsible attitude towards theenvironment within which welive and work. UWIC iscommitted to the concept ofsustainable development andthe pursuit of continuousimprovement in environmentalperformance.

The development of a TravelPlan for staff, students, visitorsand business partners is afundamental aspect of UWIC’sEnvironmental Strategy. The aimis to minimise the impact ofInstitute generated travel and toset an example to our studentswhich they will take with theminto the world of work.

This Travel Plan update isintended to report upon thesignificant progress we havemade in this area of our workand builds upon our successesto date.

Our plan continues to raiseawareness of transport choicesand in consultation with internaland external stakeholders, toidentify, prioritise andimplement further initiatives thatwill deliver more sustainableways of conducting UWIC’stransport activities.

The commitment of UWIC isamply illustrated by the progresswhich has been made to dateand by the framework which hasbeen put in place to progress,steer and review the Travel Planand to integrate it with city andregional sustainable transportdevelopments.

Professor Antony J Chapman,Vice Chancellor ,,

‘‘

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Cardiff Council’s travel planning

team have worked closely with

UWIC for a number of years

during the on going

development of their Travel

Plan. We have been extremely

pleased to develop a strong

relationship with such a

progressive and proactive

organisation. UWIC are now

sharing the benefits of their

experience with other

institutions in the city through

the Cardiff Higher and Further

Education Green Travel Group.

Ms Cheryl Owen,Travel Plan Officer, Cardiff Council.,,

‘‘

Sustainable travel is fundamental to UWIC’s philosophy and underpins

our recognition of the need to reduce our impact on the environment

and the community as a whole. The established UWIC Travel Plan isan indispensable part of UWIC’s corporate values and has alsoensured the implementation of the ongoing Estate Strategy.

The introduction of the UWIC Travel Plan in 2008 has led to continued consultationwith a wide range of stakeholders, including the Local Authority, Cardiff Bus,Sustrans and the South East Wales Travel Alliance.

This report highlights the effects of the UWIC Travel plan to date and identifiesfuture plans to ensure that UWIC continues to go beyond the expected boundariesand influence Cardiff’s infrastructure for the benefit of the local community.

INTRODUCTION

Top:

OYBike initiative Llandaff CampusCentre:UWIC Students walking home from Campus.

Bottom:UWIC BUG members.

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Changes resulting from UWIC’s Travel Planinitiatives have positively contributed to the livesof students and staff.

The continuing aims and objectives are:

• To develop, implement and promote travel options thatreduce single occupancy and non-essential travel.

• Raise awareness of environmental impact and promote sustainable travel and benefits to health.

• Install an ethos of sustainable travel UWIC wide.

• Minimise UWIC impact on Cardiff environment and thelocal community.

• Introduce sustainable travel to the curriculum.

UWIC – Some Basic FactsAt the time of the most recent study UWICemployed 1,266 staff and has in excess of 13,000full and part time students with approx 10,000studying in Cardiff.

Staff and students are based at three academiccampuses and a fourth residential campuslocated throughout the City of Cardiff.

Attracting students from more than 125countries and a wealth of tradition in providingan extensive range of career focusedprogrammes and training opportunities, many ofwhich are accredited by professional bodies,UWIC consistently achieves one of the bestgraduate employability rates in the country.

UWIC receives considerable visitor numbers dueto its community-training facilities, public artexhibitions and other public and communityevents.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

UWIC has established and encouraged thefollowing travel initiatives:

• UWIC Rider – Over 2,000 permits purchased annually by students and staff.

• POOL CARS – Since introduction UWIC Pool Cars are now being used each day by groups of staff on local business.

• CARSHARE2UWIC - As of November 2010 the scheme has in excess of 150 active Car Share groups.

• UWIC BUG – Largest Bike User Group in South Waleswith over 20% of staff now members.

• WALK2UWIC – Annual promotional events have raised awareness of the Health and Well Being benefits, along with increased participation in walking to UWIC.

• OY BIKES – First Welsh University to host OY BIKES on campus, supp orting Cardiff’s Sustainable Travel City Initiative.

• RING FENCED FUNDING – A protected source of funding for sustainable travel initiatives.

• STUDENT & STAFF TRAVEL NEWS – Annual publication giving travel advice to all it’s staff and students.

• TRAVEL ROADSHOWS – Campus based personal travel advice for students and staff.

The following sections provide furtherinformation on each of the above travelinitiatives, along with ongoing andfuture initiatives planned by UWIC.

TRAVELINITIATIVES

I made a conscious choice to

change my travel to work habits

and abandoned the car in

favour of local buses.

As a result of this I can integrate

some exercise into my daily

routine and I find using local

transport a much more sociable

option for traveling to work.

Now travelling by public

transport is my prefered

method of getting to work and I

would recommend it to all

colleagues.

Mrs. Pam Ackroyd,Director of Operations, UWIC. ,,

‘‘

*To view Pam’s journey to work

visit: uwic.ac.uk/journeytowork

It was very helpful last year to

go to my teaching placements

around Cardiff. It would have

cost me a fortune to travel

without it!

Jess Andrews,Teacher Training, UWIC

,,

‘‘

I have bought a Staff Rider pass

for the past five years and I can’t

imagine life without it. Apart from

using it daily for work, I have also

travelled to Penarth, Cardiff Bay

and St Fagans using it.

Mike O’Toole,Campus Services, UWIC

,,

‘‘

UWIC RIDER

2500

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0

844

1314

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1912

20872023

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/9 2009/10

The UWIC Rider was launched in 1997 initially as a means ofsubsidised travel for students to academic and residentialcampuses. In its first year only 102 students purchased Riderpermits, this has grown to in excess of 2,000 permits in 2009/10.The Rider service is subsidised to offer affordable public travel tostudents and staff alike.

Landmarks:2010 Permits extended by five weeks to offer 10 months stress

free travel.

2009 UWIC Shopper Bus launched with funding provided by Cardiff Sustainable City grant.

2008 Launch of the Fast Track service, linking Roath/Cathays with Llandaff Campus.

2007 Streamlining of routes to incorporate new halls and student/staff residential areas.

2006 Introduction of staff UWIC Rider passes and Inter-Campus travel.

2005 Winner of the National Transport Award for Social Responsibility.

2004 The Rider pass became transferrable across all zones on the Cardiff Bus network.

UWIC Rider Actual Sales 2003 - 2010.

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Academic Year.

POOL CARUWIC has introduced pool cars on each campus to enable staffto leave their cars at home: available through a central bookingsystem for local travel.

Landmarks:2009-2010UWIC branded cars were made available across all campuses.

The scheme benefits have been quickly recognised and are now regularlyused by staff/groups in support of local business

2008-2009The scheme was launched with one car within the Cardiff School of Art &Design.

Ongoing and future initiatives:• Review utilisation with a view to increasing the number of pool cars

available.

• Review biofuel and hybrid options.

UWIC Rider cont...

Ongoing and future initiatives:

• Changing the Rider routes to provide a link service for students, staff and visitors commuting by train or coach from the City Centre to UWIC Campuses.

• A new Cathedral Road route to further assist the travel needs of residents in Canton and Pontcanna as well as students who train at the Welsh Institute of Sport.

• Review the ability to freeze or reduce prices to assist with purchase of Rider passes.

• To explore a staff Salary Sacrifice Scheme.

• To explore the potential of an Alumni scheme to offer UWIC graduates reduced travel within Cardiff.

• Explore opportunities for collaborative ventures with other busservice providers.

Top:

UWIC Rider.Centre and Bottom:Staff usage of Pool Car at Cyncoed Campus.

Aside from the clear financial

benefits, car share enables me

to enjoy my commute and to

discuss relevant work issues as I

work in the same department as

my car sharer. We also never

have to worry about parking;

there is always a space

available!

Debra Jones,Web Manager, UWIC

‘‘

,,

CAR SHAREWithin two years the number of students and staff registeredwith Car Share has quadrupled to over 670 people makingUWIC the largest Car Share operator in South Wales.

Landmarks:2009-2010• Introduction of pilot scheme for free car parking for car sharers at

Colchester Avenue.

• Llandaff Campus parking for registered student Car Sharers.

• Student Car Share Zone and spaces increased to 40.

• New smart card permits introduced.

2008-2009• Car share spaces at the Llandaff Campus increased to 13.

Ongoing and future initiatives:• 2010/11 will see an expected increase in staff Car Share at Llandaff

campus and the relocation of Llandaff student Car Share zone to Plas Gwyn Campus, (following the relocation of the Cardiff School of Management School to the Llandaff campus).

Carshare2UWIC staff and student members and groups.

2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

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Academic Year.

STU

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Actual Members

Actual Groups

I cycle to work everyday andapart from saving me money, itmeans I don’t have to go to thegym. I use the all weather cyclestores and love the freebreakfast offers for cyclists.

Liam Reid,Student Support AdministratorLlandaff Campus ,,‘‘

UWIC’s dedication to sustainabletransport has never been moreevident. With the introduction ofcycle stores, lockers, bike codingsections, tax free bikes and thesupport given to 200 pluscyclists, cycling to UWIC hasnever been easier.

Stuart ScottChair of UWIC Health Promotion Group,,‘‘ 1000

800

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02008 2009

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91 101

UWIC BUGThe UWIC Bike Users Group (BUG) has grown substantially and now equatesto 20% of all UWIC staff. This figure has increased due to incentives such as:

• Cycle to work free breakfasts (four weeks of the year): Resulting in an increase of 100% of staff participating in the initiative.

• Participation in the government’s Cycle to Work Scheme, entitling UWIC staff to purchase a bike and pay directly from monthly salary.

Landmarks:2009-2010• Introduction of Commute to Work-UWIC Cycling Officer assisting staff on

safe daily routes.

• UWIC Cycling Proficiency Officer appointed following collaboration with Cycle Training Wales.

• Dedicated cycle lane introduced at Llandaff Campus.

• Purchase of six campus Pool Bicycles.

• Seven members of staff volunteered to undertake a cycle maintenance course and have responsibility for assisting with student/staff cycle repairs.

• Multi-use shower room made available for cyclists on Llandaff Campus.

• Introduction of bike health checks and security coding for staff and students.

• Provision of four all weather cycle shelters (capacity of 200 cycles).

Ongoing and future initiatives:• Dedicated shower and changing facilities for cyclists and walkers

• Increase all weather cycle storage

• Team UWIC participation in local charity cycling event.

UWIC Cyclist statistics 2008 - 2009

Academic Year.

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Student cyclists

Staff cyclists

OYBIKEUWIC became the first Welsh University to offer communalbicycle access to students, staff and the public. Working closelywith Cardiff City Council, spaces for 18 bicycles were installed atthe Llandaff Campus, Plas Gwyn Campus and Evelian Court.

Cardiff OYBIKE scheme allows student staff and visitors toregister to use any of the 100 plus OYBIKE’S in Cardiff.

Ongoing and future initiatives:• Expansion of the scheme to include Cyncoed and Howard Gardens

campuses.

• Increase bicycles and bike stations at Llandaff Campus.

• Review of utilisation data in conjunction with OY and Cardiff City Council.

WALK/RUN TO WORKLandmarks:2009-2010• Participation in the Cardiff 10k Kidney Research race with 14 UWIC staff

participating. Staff used their walk/run to work as an excellent training opportunity.

• Walk around the world - a UWIC initiative where staff were given pedometers and virtually circumnavigated the world in 59 days!

2008-2009• Intercampus Staff Walk. The inaugural walk saw 20 members of staff

walking from Howard Gardens to Llandaff campus.

• UWIC pedometers were made available to all staff who regularly walk to their work campus, to help monitor mileage and calorie loss.

• Introduction of ‘Walk2UWIC’ free breakfasts (four weeks of the year); In it’s first year attracted 42 participants.

Ongoing and future initiatives:• In conjuction with UWIC’s Health and Well Being initiative more walking

events are to be scheduled including Social Walking Groups and Running Clinics.

* UWIC currently has 27% of students and 6% of Staff walking to campus - * 2009 Stat.

During 2009 I decided to walk to

work at Llandaff Campus rather

than take my car. It was only 40

minutes along the Taff Trail and I

would normally arrive earlier

than if I had brought my car. I

found the whole experience far

less stressful and I arrived at

work awake and ready for the

day. On the plus side I helped

the environment, lost weight

and it saved me having to go to

the gym after work!

Rachel LukeInternal Communications Officer , UWIC,,

‘‘

Above:

UWIC Halls of Residence staff participating in

walking event.

Top:OYBike station at Llandaff Campus.Centre:

Students walking home from Cyncoed Campus.

Bottom:

Staff Car Share

SUMMARYOF THE2009/10SURVEYThe most recent travel survey provided the following key results:

Student• 76% of UWIC students live within the Cardiff boundary.

• 44% of whom live within the Roath/Cathays area.

• A decrease of 4% in student car users since 2008/09.

• 35% of students now using public transport, and a further 34% either cycling, walking or car sharing.

• 28% of UWIC students travel to campus by bus, with a further 3% travelling by train.

• Approximately 3, 600 students use the UWIC Rider every week.

• 26% of student car users said that they would consider changing their mode of transport if there were improvedpublic service options.

Staff• UWIC Staff mainly reside across Cardiff and the

surrounding area.

• 23% of the staff population use public transport, walk or car share.

• A 7% reduction in the number of staff using carssince 2008/09.

Sustainability and travel are vital factors to all businesses andenterprises in Cardiff.

Since establishing it’s Travel Plan, UWIC has been working withexternal companies to assist them in establishing travel plans fortheir organisations.

These include Cardiff University, Welsh Joint Education Committee, University Hospital Wales and the Welsh College ofMusic and Drama.

Further to this we are regularly and actively engaged with thefollowing organisations.

Cardiff County Council:Since UWIC committed to a more sustainable approach Cardiff County Councilhave provided significant support. Our recognition from the Council as ‘BestPractice’ in achieving the most comprehensive and detailed travel plan in Cardiff,has led to UWIC now being able to assist the council with their efforts to spreadthe ethos of sustainable travel.

Sustrans:UWIC representatives attend Sustrans Annual Active Travel ChampionsNetworking Event resulting in Sustrans using UWIC’s Travel Plan as a case study.The organisation is investigating student transport in Cardiff and is focussing onhow to encourage ‘active travel’ amongst students.

Sustrans are also providing signage to UWIC along the Taff Trail.

SEWTA (South East Wales Travel Alliance)UWIC has been liaising with SEWTA to provide a forum and a meeting locationfor universities and academic institutions throughout South East Wales to meetregularly and share ideas of best practice. SEWTA is a consortium of ten SouthEast Wales local authorities created to carry out their functions in respect ofpublic travel.

Liberty LivingUWIC students are nominated to live at approximately 700 bedrooms withinLiberty Living residences in Cardiff. UWIC has added four of the Liberty Halls tothe UWIC Rider route and are directly responsible for the introduction ofOYBikes on another Liberty Campus.

PACT meetingsMembers of UWIC staff attend local PACT meetings to contribute to thecommunity action work and give feedback.

WORKINGWITH OTHERS

UWIC is happy to shareits experiences withother organisations whoare consideringdeveloping their owntravel plans.

THEFUTUREUWIC continues to monitor and review it’s fiveyear action plan (available at:www.uwic.ac.uk/traveltouwic)

The highest level priority will be to continue toreduce single occupancy car journeys. This willbe achieved by:

Continuing to increase bus travel by students, staff and visitors.

Investigating the feasibility of reducing UWIC Rider passesfor 2nd and 3rd year purchases.

Investigating the feasibility of developing an Alumni Riderpass for UWIC graduates

Investigating the possibility of a salary sacrifice scheme forStaff passes.

Further engagement with staff and students to identify andovercome travel barriers. (The Vice President of UWICStudent Union has joined UWIC’s Travel Working Group).

Increasing the number of staff cyclists and encourage thisby installing dedicated showers, storage and dryingfacilities.

Encouraging more staff and students to walk byinvestigating a time allowance of 15 minutes for walkers inorder to change clothing, shower etc.

Lobbying the Local Authority to improve the localinfrastructure, particularly the Taff Trail.

Encouraging more use of trains in conjuction withbus/cycle/walking initiatives.

Introducing staff inter campus mini bus travel.

U N I V E R S I T Y O F WA L E S I N S T I T U T E , C A R D I F F AT H R O FA P R I F Y S G O L C Y M R U, C A E R DY D D

This leaflet has been printed on paper that ismade from 100% post consumer waste. Please recycle this leaflet.

UWIC is always keen to hear of any travel initiatives.If you would like to get in touch please contact:

email: travel@uwic.ac.uktel: 029 2041 6712