In May 2008, Amey entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council to plan, procure and manage all Client Transportation Services in the county. The contract is responsible for transport related spend in excess of £100m over an initial five-year term, with the potential for further extension of up to an additional 5 years.
Amey manage the transportation requirements for various client groups:
- Mainstream Home to School Transport
- Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Safeguarded Children
- Adult Social Care
In total, we provide transport on a daily basis for over 17,000 people in Buckinghamshire.
Efficiency & Innovation
Amey utilises its expertise in the provision of transportation services, together with an in-depth knowledge of the policies, procedures and processes to support specific outcomes relating to vulnerable people protection, education and social care activities. We continuously aim to exceed the needs of our clients and are well placed to adapt to changes in national policy relating to Client Transport Services.
Through regular stakeholder dialogue at all levels and analysing customer feedback, we have been able to improve service delivery. For example, in meeting the needs of vulnerable children we have improved the risk assessment and transport allocation process. In addition, we regularly host and facilitate events dealing with a range of transportation issues and support the Authority’s ‘green’ transport agenda.
Amey employ a range of staff that have private sector and local authority backgrounds in delivering operational transportation solutions, education, compliance, enforcement and social welfare. This blend of expertise coupled with the general management focus on Service Quality Improvement, has facilitated the introduction of leading edge technology and the development of innovative working practises across the majority of business areas including procurement, risk assessment, compliance & enforcement and route optimisation.
Outcome
- Significant cost reductions based on comparable numbers of people transported
- Introduction of more modern vehicles to assist efficiency savings and reduce carbon footprint in mainstream transport
- Reduction in carbon emissions for taxis in the current year compared with 2008 - achieved via route efficiencies
- Significant reduction in customer complaints and more positive feedback from clients especially in the Special Educational Needs sector - reflecting improved quality of service
- Supply chain efficiencies and modernisation through improved contract and service specifications
- The introduction of new technology to streamline risk assessment and vehicle enforcement procedures
- New training partnerships delivering broader, nationally accredited training programmes for all drivers and passenger assistants
“I am really impressed with the commercial edge that Amey have brought to Client Transport in Buckinghamshire and we are now beginning to see the benefits of this, through for example, re-procurement of the supply chain and smarter routing of vehicles.”
Mr J Stevens Head of Transport for Buckinghamshire County Council