Steering Group
Pav Dhande, 17, from Handsworth Wood intiated the project in February 2008 after consulting with colleague Mohammad Bilal. He currently studies Philosophy, Psychology and English Literature at King Edward VI Aston and has a great deal of experience with the Young People’s Parliament.
“The project really has been a superb experience so far; in our group alone, we have: someone who relies on trains daily to get to school; both on-road and off-road cyclists; someone who categorically refuses to use public transport and someone who was completely oblivious to Birmingham’s Metro system! These are just six individuals though, serving as just a snapshot of how Birmingham’s transport network is utilised.”
Outside of the project Pav is involved with a community station (which means going to a lot of gigs!) He also sits as the National Chair of Outward Bound Youth Reps, working closely with Birmingham OBA.
Mohammad Bilal is a student at Bishop Vesey Grammar School, currently studying Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Economics. As his academia suggests, he is a bright young man who has been involved in his local community since the very early stages of his teen years. He has served as a member of the UK Youth Parliament previously and has been engaged with Birmingham’s local Youth Parliament for over 5 years.
Bilal is a loyal user of public transport and an optimist about the transport system in Birmingham- ‘Public transport in our city has improved a lot during the past few years adding value to our world class city but it is undeniable that there is still room for improvement.’
During his free time, Bilal has a host of interests including sports particularly cricket and archery, as well as web/graphic designing. He has designed many websites including the brumtransport.co.uk website. In short, Bilal is difficult to miss thanks to his infamous beard that even has a dedicated group on Facebook!
Sahar Rezazadeh from Harborne, is currently studying Political Science at the University of Birmingham. She has previously represented Birmingham as a Member of the UK Youth Parliament for 2 years, and now plays a key role in Birmingham’s Children and Young People’s Parliament. She also tutors GCSE students in secondary schools.
Sahar is an avid public transport critic and says: “If we want to compete in the tourism industry we must ensure that our transport system is top notch and that means that image is as important as efficiency. Our public transport needs to be appealing too so cleanliness, design, safety should all be on the agenda.” Rumour is that she hasn’t been seen on a bus for over 2 years.
In her spare time, Sahar is a political activist and likes to dance, spend lots of time shopping as well as blogging. Her music tastes range from a mix of British artists to artists from across the world.
Gregory Yates is an avid literature, philosophy and politics student at King Edward VI Aston Sixth Form in Birmingham. This might sound complex on paper, but what it really amounts to is Greg enjoying arguing, and getting qualifications for doing so! He is aiming to study English Literature at Oxford University in September, provided he gets the grades to do so. His favourite works include American Pastoral, Sorrows Of Young Werther and anything by Dr. Ron Paul.
His involvement with the Transport Steering Group is very much a personal one, as he is wholly reliant on the public services in the city. “I get two, three, occasionally four trains a day - so I’m used to the good and the bad of this city’s transport.” he says, “Which means I know exactly what needs to change for young people, and how.”
Outside of the project, Greg is heavily into film. If he hasn’t seen at least one per week, he counts it as a wasted Orange Wednesday.
Carys Evans is eighteen years old and lives in Bearwood, just outside of Birmingham. She is currently studying for her History, English Literature and Government and Politics A-Levels at Lordswood Girls’ Sixth form centre in Harborne. She hopes to attend Sheffield University next year to read a joint degree in History and Politics.
Outside of college, Carys takes an active role in her community, volunteering for work experience at her local council and helping out at her nearest youth group. For five years she attended Stage 2 Youth theatre in the centre of Birmingham and it was at this point that she got to know the city’s public transport system.
She has been a member of the transport event steering committee since its creation in February of last year and being a regular user of Birmingham’s public transport feels committed to the purpose of the event.She feels strongly that young people should have the opportunity to influence the direction of policy that concerns them and as a result is both keen and excited to be involved in the organisation of the April event.
Ankita Chadha is an 18 year old girl from Edgbaston, Birmingham who has been a regular user of public transport since starting her secondary education at Lordswood Girls’ School, Harborne.
She is currently undertaking her A-Levels in English Literature, Government and Politics and Geography at the Sixth Form and hopes to pursue Politics further at university. Having worked in groups promoting FairTrade and being keen to participate in extra-curricular groups, she feels the Transport Steering Committee is a fantastic opportunity for young people to influence and amend the current system with the hope of becoming tailored to meet their requirements.
She finds transport an increasingly relevant issue in major cities across the UK and indeed on a global scale with emphasis on carbon emissions and reducing rates of pollution.
She has already found stimulating discussion and looks forward to April 2nd for more of the same!
