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Nexus is piloting a scheme to help adults with learning difficulties to gain the confidence to use public transport. The Partners in Travel scheme is being set up in conjunction with Gateshead Council over the next 12 months - and if it proves successful it could be rolled out to other parts of Tyneside and Wearside. The scheme will involve volunteers being specially trained to accompany people with learning difficulties on buses and Metros in order to show them how to use the network. The volunteers, who will be unpaid, will partner that person as long as they feel they need assistance travelling on Metros and buses in Gateshead. As well helping the people with learning difficulties to understand bus and Metro routes, the volunteers will show them what fares to pay, how to use ticket machines and help them to understand bus and Metro station signage. The long term aim is to gradually build that person’s confidence to travel without the need for any further assistance. Similar initiatives have proved successful in other parts of the UK, and Nexus - whose core objective is to boost social inclusion through the public transport network – is keen to have something in place in North East England. The scheme is being funded by Nexus at a cost of £31,000 and volunteers are now being sought to undertake the extensive period of training, which is required to become a public transport ’partner’. Nexus hopes the scheme will go live some time in early 2007 once the training process has been completed. Travel Development Officer at Nexus, Irene Storey, said: “People with learning difficulties can benefit for a little bit of independence and this is what the ‘Partners in Travel’ scheme is all about. “We want to give them the confidence and security to use buses and the Metro to get about, especially as many of them have jobs and would prefer to get there under their own steam rather than always rely on their carers. “In some cases they might just need to be pointed in the right direction while others may need a more than a few outings to get used to the surroundings and learn where they need to go and what tickets they need to buy.” Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “This promises to be an extremely worthwhile scheme and I am looking forward to getting it off the ground. “The public transport network is there for all members of the community to access jobs and other facilities and this scheme will be a big help to people who are perhaps more vulnerable than others and who feel less confident about using buses and Metros.” Cllr David Bollands, cabinet member for transport at Gateshead Council, said: “We fully recognise that public transport can often be difficult for people with learning difficulties to use and we therefore back this new initiative 100 percent. “We already have a good and close working relationship with Nexus, and are delighted to support this important scheme and do what we can to help. I would also urge all those interested in volunteering for this pilot to come forward to ensure its success.” Anyone who is interested in volunteering for the public transport buddy scheme should contact Irene Storey at Nexus on 0191 203 3292.
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