The document is a newsletter providing updates on the BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS (BHBI) initiative in Hertfordshire, which promotes more sustainable transport. It discusses the following: 1) A recent BHBI network meeting where public transport operators discussed their networks and plans with large employers. Usage statistics of business discount schemes were also reviewed. 2) The launch of a mobile ticket app for weekly/longer bus tickets on the Intalink network, with over 2000 app downloads and £3500 in ticket sales so far. 3) Growing electric vehicle carsharing schemes in Hertfordshire, including at the University of Hertfordshire and in Watford, with demand increasing for more

1. BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS (BHBI) is an integrated package of transport
measures in southwest Hertfordshire that enables businesses, employees
and residents to travel more easily around Watford, Hemel Hempstead
and St Albans, and leads the way on supporting economic growth and
reducing carbon emissions. The Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF)
period ends in March 2015.
This is the sixth edition of our Business newsletter – please continue to
send us ideas and input. All methods of contacting us are shown on the
back page.
In this issue, we play back some of the highlights of the network meeting
at BRE on 5th December and continue the good news story on Intalink
mobile services for bus users. There’s also exciting growth in e-car options
in SW Herts.
BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS for Business Newsletter
Message from Terry Douris
Terry Douris is Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for
Highways and Waste Management:
“The network meeting at Buildings Research Establishment met all of
our expectations in terms of creating direct dialogue between public
transport operators and large employers. Thanks to BRE for hosting the
event, to all businesses attending and to Arriva, Uno, Metroline,
London Midland and GTR (Thameslink) for speaking. We need
businesses to do their part in encouraging sustainable commuting and
business travel. Public transport operators have to react to changing
and growing needs of businesses, as Hertfordshire recovers well from
the economic downturn and starts to attract new employers.”
Inside This Issue
1 Message from Terry Douris
2 BigHerts network meeting
3 Workplace Challenge
4 Intalink M-ticketing
5 Electric Car networks
6 Diary Dates
Seasons Greetings to
the BigHerts for Business
network
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2
December 2014

2. BHBI NEWSLETTERPAGE 2
The Buildings Research Establishment campus in North Watford was the
venue for the sixth BigHertsBigIdeas for Business network meeting. All of
the major public transport operators in SW Herts spoke about their
network coverage and their plans for 2015.
Large private and public sector employers attended and used the
results of the BigHerts business travel survey to prompt discussion about
their staff’s travel patterns and issues.
Statistics on usage of the various business discount schemes were
discussed and show that Royal Mail (Maylands) is the biggest user,
followed by Mothercare’s north Watford call centre and the three West
Herts Hospitals Trust sites. However, there is room for improved uptake
across all member companies. This is especially important given that in
their current guise, the existing Arriva, Centrebus and GTR BigHerts
discounts will cease in March 2015. If commercial operators see that
businesses can effectively promote public transport, then business offers
and improved services will be more likely to appear. Email
bigherts@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you need a reminder of how your staff
can obtain the discounts.
The analysis of Census and other sources on Hertfordshire’s travel
patterns can be found at www.hertsdirect.org/ttdr and the slides from
the network event can be found here.
The final segment of the event from Canal & River Trust updated the
group on towpath improvement projects in SW Herts suitable for cyclists
and walking users. The Grand Union Canal forms a useful link between a
series of employment areas in SW Herts. Corporate & Social Responsibility
(CSR) offerings from the Trust may also be of interest to businesses who
would like their staff to get involved in local community projects around
the waterways. Email James.Clifton@canalrivertrust.org.uk for further
details.
Herts Workplace Challenge 2015
The Herts Workplace Challenge is back, bigger and better for 2015.
Between January and March, all sporting and exercise activity can be
recorded, with points allocated to individuals and companies in a
leaderboard format. We are then creating focus months from March to
August, with July being Cycling. This enables us to repeat the success of
the previous three years’ BigHerts Cycle Challenge and also to coincide
with repeat visits by the professional Mens’ and Womens’ Tours of Britain.
There will also be some exciting cycling events in 2015 involving amateur
racing - follow @hertscycling on twitter for Year of Cycling updates.
Network Meeting 5th December
BigHerts for Business
network meeting

3. BHBI NEWSLETTERPAGE 3
Intalink Update
The Intalink partnership comprises Hertfordshire County Council’s
Transport Access and Safety team and all major public transport
providers in the County. The aim is to promote bus and rail travel and
to develop shared promotions and products such as Explorer tickets,
PlusBus and most recently, the new Intalink mobile-friendly website
www.intalink.org.uk
The latest addition to the mobile-friendly Intalink services is the mobile
ticket for weekly and longer season tickets. By the New Year, Uno and
Metroline, will accept m-tickets. More operators will follow during 2015.
The Intalink m-ticket app is available to download from
intalink.org.uk/m-ticket. Since the launch in October on Uno services,
more than 2000 downloads of the app have taken place, with
Oct/Nov sales of tickets exceeding £3500 in value.
The list of bus operators where live departure/arrival information is
available on the Intalink website has also grown. Services from Uno,
Centrebus, Metroline, Red Rose, Redline, Red Eagle are all included,
with more operators to follow in 2015.
E-Car news
There are now three live e-carclub schemes in Hertfordshire following the
November launch of Watford Borough Council’s staff poolcar & public hire
scheme. We are confident that we are at a tipping point in Electric Vehicle
adoption and usage in the County. The University of Hertfordshire’s
scheme for students, staff and Hatfield residents is already at the point
where an extra vehicle is needed. Cars can be hired on an hourly basis
which means students can save money by doing bigger shops at
supermarkets, or travel to Watford (say) for a night out at low cost.
The Watford scheme involves one car for Council Staff use in office hours,
which after 4pm can be hired by local residents or businesses. A second
car is available to the public 24/7. The third scheme in Hertfordshire is at
Maylands Business Park for local business use.
The next BigHertBigIdeas for Business event will have a ‘responsible car
usage’ theme, where all three schemes will be discussed in detail. There will
be further slots on Liftshare, Scoots and eco-driving courses.
Weekly m-ticket season
ticket on smartphone
Watford e-Carclub

4. BHBI NEWSLETTERPAGE 4
News of forthcoming events, meetings and announcements for the network
Workplace Challenge 1st January 2015
Smarter Travel Conference 5-6 February (HCC LSTF team up for award)
BigHerts for Business network event 3rd March at University of Hertfordshire
Herts Workplace Challenge 1st March
For further information or to contribute ideas/queries, please email
bigherts@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Join our BHBI LinkedIn Group
Follow us on twitter
Like us on Facebook
View our BHBI website
Contact us
Diary Dates
WWW