Tfl's Single Equality Scheme 2012
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Transport for London Single Equality Scheme 2012 – 2015 MAYOR OF LONDON Transport for London | Commissioner’s foreword Contents Commissioner’s foreword 3 I am very pleased to introduce Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Single Equality 1 About TfL 5 Scheme (SES). This document has been produced following wide-ranging 2 Delivering the MTS 6 involvement with stakeholders and colleagues in the London boroughs 3 Equality and the public sector duty 8 and Greater London Authority (GLA), 4 The purpose of this scheme 10 and it builds on the knowledge and • The consultation process understanding that TfL has gathered over the past few years. 5 Knowing our communities 12 • A profile of Londoners across This summer was TfL’s biggest challenge all equality groups and also, I believe, our greatest triumph. • Key findings from TfL’s research Thanks to the dedication of staff, meticulous planning and the support 6 Having your say 20 of other stakeholders, the transport • Transport planning system contributed to the fantastic regard for the needs of customers • Affordability success of the London 2012 Olympic and staff from all of London’s diverse • Safety and security and Paralympic Games. This achievement communities and I am proud to say • Procurement continues to inspire us to make even that, in recent years, we have made • Customer experience greater improvements, and this scheme real progress in improving access to our • Engaging with stakeholders is part of that commitment to improving services, engaging with our customers • Improving access to services customer experience for all Londoners. and delivering a better transport system • TfL’s workforce for all Londoners. This was acknowledged This SES, which replaces all of the in 2011 when we were awarded an 7 Next steps 64 existing equality schemes that we have excellent rating in the Equality Framework produced, brings together the issues for Local Government. TfL is the only 8 SES action plan 66 that are faced by individual groups and transport authority, and by far the largest highlights those which they all hold in and most complex organisation, to have common. TfL is required to have due met this exacting standard. Single Equality Scheme 2012 – 2015 3 | Chapter 1 About TfL We know that there is still much to We will also build on our excellent TfL was created in 2000 and is the integrated body do to ensure that we keep pace with work with suppliers by encouraging and responsible for the Capital’s transport system. Its rising expectation and deliver on our supporting them to improve their own main role is to implement the MTS for London and promises. A significant part of this work equality performance. manage transport services across the Capital, for is to continue to listen to customers and which the Mayor has responsibility. These include work with groups representing disabled I am proud of what TfL has achieved the city’s buses, London Underground, Docklands people, and others, to get things right. so far and am confident that, with the Light Railway (DLR), London Overground, London measures outlined in the SES, delivered Tramlink, the Emirates Air Line and London River The SES also sets out what we will through the Business Plan and the Services. TfL also manages Victoria Coach Station do as an employer to ensure our Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS), TfL will and London Transport Museum. workforce is even more reflective of continue to make the improvements that London’s diversity at all levels of the all of our customers want to see. TfL has a number of other responsibilities: organisation. This will be achieved by developing our staff to take on more • Managing the Congestion Charging scheme responsibility and making sure that we attract the best people from all • Maintaining 580km of main roads and all of backgrounds on to our graduate and London’s traffic lights apprentice schemes, especially from Peter Hendy CBE • Regulating the city’s taxis and private hire trade those groups that are currently under- Commissioner represented in our workforce. Transport for London • Making London’s transport more accessible by coordinating schemes for mobility- impaired people and running the Dial-a-Ride service alongside the London boroughs’ Taxicard scheme • Promoting a range of walking and cycling initiatives TfL is a statutory corporation regulated under local government law and finance rules and is largely governed by the GLA Act 1999 as amended. 4 Chapter 1 About TfL Single Equality Scheme 2012 – 2015 5 | Chapter 2 Delivering the MTS The Mayor published his transport strategy in 2010. It specified six goals that would need to be met in order to achieve his overarching vision: • Support economic development and population growth • Enhance the quality of life for Londoners • Improve the safety and security of all Londoners ‘The challenge to provide accessible • Improve transport opportunities for all Londoners services to a growing and changing city, and • Reduce transport’s contribution to climate change to attract and retain and improve its resilience the best employees from all of London’s • Support delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and communities, Paralympic Games and its legacy remains. The recent consultation on This SES ultimately supports the delivery of the MTS. our Single Equality However, there are also clear links with TfL’s Business Scheme is a significant Plan, MTS Accessibility Implementation Plan and element of our Community Safety Plan. planning to build on our successes and to address areas where improvements are needed.’ Michèle Dix – Managing Director, Planning, TfL 6 Chapter 2 Delivering the MTS Single Equality Scheme 2012 – 2015 7 | Chapter 3 Equality and the public sector duty The Equality Act 2010 (the Act) consolidates and replaces the previous discrimination legislation for England, Scotland and Wales. It covers discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation (known under the Act as ‘protected characteristics’). The Act requires public authorities to comply with the general equality duty and, in exercising their functions, have due regard to the need to: • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not What does this look like in practice? TfL will ensure that the needs of all communities are considered in the services it provides and in the behaviours it demonstrates as an employer. This means ongoing dialogue and engagement with stakeholders and, where possible, ensuring plans are shaped by them. 8 Chapter 3 Equality and the public sector duty Single Equality Scheme 2012 – 2015 9 | Chapter 4 The purpose of this scheme The SES sets out TfL’s plans to continue September 2012. It was sent to all improving travel choices, promote London boroughs and representatives equality and enhance access to of stakeholders who would usually transport services and employment for express an interest in transport issues all groups who live and work in London. across equality groups. TfL is required to publish the objectives it believes it should achieve to eliminate A link to the consultation document discrimination, advance equality of was made available on the TfL website opportunity and foster good relations (tfl.gov.uk/equality). The report was as set out in the general equality duty published in a large font and easy-read (see p8). Its equality objectives have formats were available to download. been developed through stakeholder Hard copies could be requested in engagement, ongoing customer surveys, any format. monitoring customer complaints, staff satisfaction surveys and bespoke In addition, TfL organised an event that research, as well as the SES public brought together a ‘round table group’ consultation process. These equality with stakeholders and representatives objectives are set out in the SES action from The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, National plan in section 8 of this document. Mencap, the GLA, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), The Family and TfL is also required to publish Parenting Institute and TfL’s Youth information to demonstrate its Panel. It focused on issues such as compliance with the general equality safety and security, young people and duty. This includes data relating to transport, customer experience and employees, and Londoners, who share ensuring a workforce that reflects a relevant protected characteristic and London’s communities. who are affected by its policies and practices. This information is contained Feedback was also gathered through in sections 5-7. face-to-face meetings with borough representatives and stakeholder groups, The consultation process written responses, questionnaires and The draft SES was published for survey analysis. public consultation between June and 10 Chapter 4 The purpose of this scheme Single Equality Scheme 2012 – 2015 11 | Chapter 5 Knowing our communities A profile of Londoners across all equality groups Accessible transport is important in ensuring people are not excluded from places of employment or health, education and leisure services. It plays a key role in creating equal life opportunities for all London’s diverse communities. To understand the transport issues that affect people from different equality groups,