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[Ian White]

Belgium, Poland, Germany, Switzerland - these are some of the places visited (at ATCO’s expense) by recent winners of the Martin Robertson Research and Travel Bursary. Where next? – this could be down to you; anywhere you want, as part of your application for the 2010 Bursary award!

The aim of the Bursary is to provide an opportunity for ATCO members to travel more widely to increase their knowledge and understanding of passenger transport, as part of a study or research project into a topic of their own choice. The condition is that they should then be prepared to share their knowledge, through submitting an article to ATCO News and presenting their findings to the Summer Conference. The winner of the annual Bursary competition will receive up to £1,000 to cover travel and accommodation expenses incurred in carrying out their project. Any ATCO member is eligible to apply.

Recent winners have included Tony Francis, who visited Germany, Belgium and Poland to see how they manage small-scale infrastructure projects; and David Blainey, who travelled round Switzerland to learn about their internationally-famous approach to transport integration, and whether there are lessons for us here in the UK. The winner of the 2009 Bursary was Keith White of Hertfordshire County Council, who will be visiting Germany to find out the secrets of planning effective bus networks in small towns.

The Bursary was launched in 2004 in memory of former ATCO Chairman Martin Robertson, who dedicated much of his efforts whilst in the Chair to improving the training and development opportunities available to ATCO members. If you are interested, full details of how to apply can be found in the 'training’ section of the website - or contact Ian White, Chair of ATCO Communications & Marketing Executive, on 01225 713322 for an informal chat.

The closing date for applications is 30 September.