Workplace travel planning

Businesses of different sizes and locations will have different measures of success for a workplace travel plan, but the key features to include for a successful travel plan include:

• Buy-in from management - this will ensure enough resources are allocated. Managers should also lead by example by committing to travel sustainably.
• Buy-in from staff - if your business is large enough, you could use a steering group with representatives from different areas of the business to gain support.
• Allocation of staff time - setting up and running a travel plan will take time and effort, for example conducting a staff travel survey or setting up a car share register. You should support a specific member of staff to implement the travel plan.
• Allocation of money - your travel plan co-ordinator will require a budget to cover things like a travel survey and publicity materials. Many times a travel plan will pay for itself, for example reducing business travel in private cars will cut mileage claims, or holding online meetings which save on the cost of flights.
• A long-term strategic approach - changing the culture of your business will require long-term communication, backed up by encouragement and incentives. Consider reviewing targets in the light of annual monitoring surveys - see changing travel culture in your business.
• Local alliances - consider drawing upon local support, for example your local council, chamber of commerce, or business groups - they may be able to offer practical tips or grants. You may be able to negotiate discounts with transport providers and local cycle shops etc or liaise with other local businesses that have travel plans in place.
• Information gathering - find out more about the travel habits of those coming to your site and the transport possibilities in your local area. This will help you to establish a baseline to monitor the progress and success of your travel plan.