Helping hand on bus and train for elderly

OLDHAM residents who need extra support to use public transport can now get a helping hand.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) is working with the charity Age Concern Manchester as part of a European project that aims to make public transport even more accessible to older people.

As part of the Travel Training initiative, volunteers have been trained to work with people who need a little extra support when using buses, trains and trams across Greater Manchester.

Through organisations such as Age Concern, they are then assigned to a person who wants to make a journey.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s bus and rail director, said: “The initiative is aimed at providing volunteers with the skills to assist and teach others how to use the bus, tram or train, opening public transport up to people who may currently feel unable to use it.

“Working alongside Age Concern Manchester, who have links across Greater Manchester, has given us an added bonus as they have a wealth of experience working with older people.”

Julie Hussey, mobility counsellor for Age Concern Manchester, said: “There are many reasons why older people don’t use public transport.

“They may not know how to because they’ve always travelled by car or they may have had a long illness and lost the confidence to go out on their own.

“Our volunteers are working with people on a one-to-one basis, giving them the skills, encouragement and support to start using public transport independently, confidently and safely.

“This will give older people more social opportunities and improve their quality of life.”

The Travel Training programme is funded via Improving Connectivity and Mobility Access (ICMA), a European Union project aimed at bridging mobility gaps.

For more information on Travel Trainer’s or how to become one, call Age Concern Manchester on freephone 0800-027 5787 or visit the website www.silverservice.org.uk