The Resource Centre holds all our documents (briefings, consultation responses, press releases and reports). Signed-in members also have access to projects. You can search the Resource Centre by topic or by type of document.
Resources
Resources
What scope for boosting bus use? An analysis of the Intrinsic Bus Potential of local authority areas in England
October, 2019
This research, by Transport for Quality of Life, identifies the underlying conditions that best predict levels of bus use in local areas. It points to six conditions which, when combined, are used to define the ‘Intrinsic Bus Potential’ (IBP) of a local authority area. These include the Index of Multiple Deprivation, the proportion of students, and rush-hour traffic travel times.
The report also identifies additional factors which may explain why some areas exceed expectations with higher levels of bus use than predicted, such as a pre-existing culture of bus use, high levels of bus provision, and local factors such as poor rail connectivity.
The research has a number of important implications, including the need for radical change on bus policy to enable more areas to do significantly better on bus patronage.
Topic:
What next for urban transport?
September, 2019
This report - published to coincide with the 2019 Autumn Party Conferences - identifies four urban transport challenges and four solutions needed to overcome them.
It also details what transport authorities need from Government to bring about these changes.
On launching the report, Stephen Edwards, Chair of the Urban Transport Group and Executive Director of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said: "There is much more that needs to be done if transport is to contribute effectively to meeting the many challenges that city regions face, from the climate crisis to public health challenges associated with a lack of physical activity. The right policies can help overcome these challenges."
MaaS movement? Issues and options on Mobility as a Service for city region transport authorities
September, 2019
This report examines the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) - schemes which provide access to information on, and payment for, transport options via a single digital platform.
It identifies the three key factors that will determine the future of MaaS and also sets out the issues and options for city regions on the role they might play in shaping MaaS in their areas.
Topic:
Air quality operational asks
July, 2019
Working to improve air quality is a key challenge and priority across our members. All are in agreement that this set of five policy asks would greatly assist in this endeavour.
Multi-Operator Ticket Comparison 2019
July, 2019
This document provides comparative analysis of bus operator fares and multi-operator ticket fareas across Urban Transport Group member areas and a range of comparators. This information was collected in June 2019 and was correct at the time of research. Bus fares change regularly and it is likely that some of the fares are out of date, however, this is intended as a snap shot analysis and should be treated as such.
Document:
Topic:
Bus Fares Research 2019
July, 2019
This briefing provides a summary of bus fares from the main operators across Urban Transport Group member areas. Bus fare information was collected in June 2019 and was correct at the time of research. Bus fares are updated regularly so it is likely that some of the fares have already changes, however, this document is a snap shot analysis and should be treated as such.
Document:
Topic:
Number crunch 2019: Urban transport trends in changing times
June, 2019
We are living in rapidly changing times. Big shifts are taking place in urban transport trends.
Number crunch 2019 is the second in our Number crunch report series and provides an updated overview of the key trends over the last ten years, as well as taking a look at what the new and most recent data is telling us. The report also investigates some new issues – including housing need and social inclusion.
In these changing times, the case for coordinated and integrated transport planning at the city region level is stronger than ever. So is the case for long term funding frameworks for local urban transport rather than stop-start funding as is currently the case.
How people respond to the experience of bus travel and the implications for the future of bus services
May, 2019
This literature review - carried out by SYSTRA for the Urban Transport Group - aims to appraise the existing evidence base on the range of factors that influence how people respond to the experience of bus travel, with a focus on the social-emotional experience of bus travel and on the experiences of different socio-demographic groups.
The review does not aim to act as a ‘to-do’ list to complete in order to improve bus travel experiences. Any learnings taken should acknowledge that the bus services assessed in the literature are often hyper-local and therefore are experienced in a very individual market.
Topic:
Williams Rail Review - Call for evidence: objectives and assessment criteria
April, 2019
Our consultation response to the Williams Rail Review's call for evidence on objectives and assessment criteria. The Review was established to recommend the most appropriate organisational and commercial frameworks to support the delivery of the government’s vision for the railway.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Protecting Users - Consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities
April, 2019
Our response to the Department for Transport's consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Document:
Topic:
Pages
Air quality operational asks
July, 2019
Working to improve air quality is a key challenge and priority across our members. All are in agreement that this set of five policy asks would greatly assist in this endeavour.
Multi-Operator Ticket Comparison 2019
July, 2019
This document provides comparative analysis of bus operator fares and multi-operator ticket fareas across Urban Transport Group member areas and a range of comparators. This information was collected in June 2019 and was correct at the time of research. Bus fares change regularly and it is likely that some of the fares are out of date, however, this is intended as a snap shot analysis and should be treated as such.
Document:
Topic:
Bus Fares Research 2019
July, 2019
This briefing provides a summary of bus fares from the main operators across Urban Transport Group member areas. Bus fare information was collected in June 2019 and was correct at the time of research. Bus fares are updated regularly so it is likely that some of the fares have already changes, however, this document is a snap shot analysis and should be treated as such.
Document:
Topic:
Our asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport
March, 2019
This briefing sets out Urban Transport Group's asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport, based around four broad categories of people; funding and investment; the policy framework; and place-based impact.
Topic:
National Initiatives on Skills and Diversity for the Transport Sector
January, 2019
This resource brings together national initiatives on skills and diversity with relevance to the transport sector. This is the only such resource for the transport sector. It can help organisations looking to diversify their workforce, help to raise the profile of careers in transport to the next generation and support inclusion and wellbeing in the current transport workforce.
Topic:
Doing more for less - How working together on transport cuts costs and saves time
October, 2018
The Urban Transport Group brings together and promotes the interests of Britain’s largest urban areas on transport.
Through working together as a network, we help to save time and money for our members by doing things once and collaboratively – rather than separately and expensively.
Saving significant costs for our members is just one benefit of being part of our organisation.
Topic:
How the health sector works: a guide for transport professionals
August, 2018
An introductory guide to the health sector for transport professionals seeking to collaborate with health colleagues within local authorities and the NHS. The guide is intended to provide a starting point for joint working. Note that a companion guide 'How the transport sector works: a guide for health professionals' has also been produced.
Document:
Topic:
How the transport sector works: a guide for health professionals
August, 2018
An introductory guide to the transport sector for health professionals seeking to collaborate with transport colleagues within local authorities and Combined Authorities. The guide is intended to provide a starting point for joint working. Note that a companion guide 'How the health sector works: a guide for transport professionals' has also been produced.
Document:
Topic:
Transport authorities and universities – how can we work more closely together?
August, 2018
Fostering greater collaboration between transport authorities and academic institutions could deliver benefits for both parties. This briefing note outlines some of the ways in which transport authorities and universities are already collaborating. It is hoped that by presenting different models for collaboration, and the successes that these have delivered, further partnerships can be fostered.
Topic:
Pages
What scope for boosting bus use? An analysis of the Intrinsic Bus Potential of local authority areas in England
October, 2019
This research, by Transport for Quality of Life, identifies the underlying conditions that best predict levels of bus use in local areas. It points to six conditions which, when combined, are used to define the ‘Intrinsic Bus Potential’ (IBP) of a local authority area. These include the Index of Multiple Deprivation, the proportion of students, and rush-hour traffic travel times.
The report also identifies additional factors which may explain why some areas exceed expectations with higher levels of bus use than predicted, such as a pre-existing culture of bus use, high levels of bus provision, and local factors such as poor rail connectivity.
The research has a number of important implications, including the need for radical change on bus policy to enable more areas to do significantly better on bus patronage.
Topic:
What next for urban transport?
September, 2019
This report - published to coincide with the 2019 Autumn Party Conferences - identifies four urban transport challenges and four solutions needed to overcome them.
It also details what transport authorities need from Government to bring about these changes.
On launching the report, Stephen Edwards, Chair of the Urban Transport Group and Executive Director of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said: "There is much more that needs to be done if transport is to contribute effectively to meeting the many challenges that city regions face, from the climate crisis to public health challenges associated with a lack of physical activity. The right policies can help overcome these challenges."
MaaS movement? Issues and options on Mobility as a Service for city region transport authorities
September, 2019
This report examines the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) - schemes which provide access to information on, and payment for, transport options via a single digital platform.
It identifies the three key factors that will determine the future of MaaS and also sets out the issues and options for city regions on the role they might play in shaping MaaS in their areas.
Topic:
Number crunch 2019: Urban transport trends in changing times
June, 2019
We are living in rapidly changing times. Big shifts are taking place in urban transport trends.
Number crunch 2019 is the second in our Number crunch report series and provides an updated overview of the key trends over the last ten years, as well as taking a look at what the new and most recent data is telling us. The report also investigates some new issues – including housing need and social inclusion.
In these changing times, the case for coordinated and integrated transport planning at the city region level is stronger than ever. So is the case for long term funding frameworks for local urban transport rather than stop-start funding as is currently the case.
How people respond to the experience of bus travel and the implications for the future of bus services
May, 2019
This literature review - carried out by SYSTRA for the Urban Transport Group - aims to appraise the existing evidence base on the range of factors that influence how people respond to the experience of bus travel, with a focus on the social-emotional experience of bus travel and on the experiences of different socio-demographic groups.
The review does not aim to act as a ‘to-do’ list to complete in order to improve bus travel experiences. Any learnings taken should acknowledge that the bus services assessed in the literature are often hyper-local and therefore are experienced in a very individual market.
Topic:
The cross-sector benefits of backing the bus
March, 2019
This report highlights how investing in bus services is key to achieving a wide range of policy objectives across Government.
The report also finds that the way in which bus services are funded is mired in complexity, with no oversight within Whitehall of how the various funding streams from different Government departments impact on bus services overall.
It also shows that all the main forms of funding for bus services are under severe pressure – in particular those that come indirectly from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government which support bus services that bus companies will not provide on a commercial basis. The report calls for a new ‘Connectivity Fund’ – which would bring together existing bus funding together with funding from other Government Departments into a significantly enhanced and ring-fenced pot for local government to support bus services.
What's driving bus patronage change? An analysis of the evidence base
January, 2019
This report explores a range of factors relevant to bus patronage decline, under the themes of social and economic change; alternatives to the bus; and public attitudes to bus travel.
It finds that changing travel habits as a result of different lifestyles and working patterns, wider demographic and economic shifts, the rise of on-demand services, exemplified by runaway growth in Private Hire Vehicles, are amongst the many background factors affecting patronage.
The report also looks at areas where bus use is high or is growing and seeks to draw some initial conclusions about common denominators.
Topic:
The place to be: How transit oriented development can support good growth in the city regions
January, 2019
This report examines ‘transit oriented development’ - the principle of putting public transport front and centre in new residential and commercial developments, with the aim of maximising access by public transport, encouraging walking and cycling, and minimising the need to own and use private cars.
The report suggests that transit oriented development has the potential to meet housing need without undermining the green belt or creating more traffic congestion and sprawl. It also examines other areas where it can deliver wide-ranging benefits, such as to local economies; air quality and carbon emissions; social inclusion, employment and skills; health; and public transport patronage.
The place to be sets out a five point plan on how to realise more building developments which are based around sustainable, public transport and active travel.
About towns: How transport can help towns thrive
November, 2018
This report examines the key role that transport interventions can play in supporting post-industrial towns.
It features case studies from the UK and the wider world of how different types of interventions - from transport’s role as an ‘anchor institution’ for local economies and as an employer, through to how transport interchanges can act as ‘gateways’ and sources of civic pride and renewal - can achieve results.
A key finding of the report is that isolated capital interventions in transport infrastructure are insufficient in themselves. Instead, more co-ordinated programmes of transport capital and revenue investment and support are needed if towns are to truly thrive.
Policy futures for urban transport
September, 2018
The latest edition of Policy futures for urban transport emphasises how a new deal on funding and powers is essential to keep the UK's cities moving forward.
The report sets out the 10 key policy changes that are needed to make cities healthier, fairer and more prosperous.
These include further devolution of rail services; greater funding for buses; reform of taxi and Private Hire Vehicle legislation; an ambitious strategy to encourage more cycling and walking; a long term investment plan for urban rail services; and a visionary national policy framework on air quality.
Pages
Williams Rail Review - Call for evidence: objectives and assessment criteria
April, 2019
Our consultation response to the Williams Rail Review's call for evidence on objectives and assessment criteria. The Review was established to recommend the most appropriate organisational and commercial frameworks to support the delivery of the government’s vision for the railway.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Protecting Users - Consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities
April, 2019
Our response to the Department for Transport's consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.
Document:
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Spending Review 2019
March, 2019
Initial response to the 2019 spending review
Document:
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Topic:
MHCLG Review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources
February, 2019
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
Principles for the Rail Review
January, 2019
Our response to the Williams Rail Review, which was established to recommend the most appropriate organisational and commercial frameworks to support the delivery of the government’s vision for the railway. Here, we outline the key principles which should underpin rail reform.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Active Travel Inquiry
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Topic:
Local roads funding and governance
October, 2018
Our response to the Transport Committee Inquiry into the condition of local roads, their funding and governance. We suggest four actions for government to enable local roads to be bought up to the required standard and be future-ready.
Document:
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Topic:
Health of the bus market
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Topic:
Transport appraisal and modelling strategy: informing future investment decisions
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Transport (Scotland) Bill
September, 2018
Consulting body:
Scottish Parliament
Topic:
Pages
Groundbreaking research identifies factors behind high bus use
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
- Research helps predict “good bus territory” and highlights 25 local areas which out-perform their predicted bus use and why
Topic:
Urban Transport Group responds to Chancellor’s party conference speech on buses
Monday, September 30, 2019
The Urban Transport Group has today responded to a speech made by the Chancellor in which he described buses as the “backbone of our public transport in most of the country.”
Topic:
Critical challenges and solutions to improving transport in city regions identified ahead of party conferences
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
The challenges to improving transport in the UK’s city regions and the solutions needed to overcome them have been set out by the Urban Transport Group today.
MaaS movement? New report sets out three key factors that will decide future of Mobility as a Service
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
A new report from the Urban Transport Group says that ‘the future of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is yet to be decided’.
Topic:
City transport bodies call on Government to make practical policy changes to improve air quality
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
A coalition of city region transport authorities have today called on Government to make five practical policy changes to help assist them in improving air quality in their areas.
Urban Transport Group welcomes Prime Minister’s pledge to support city regions in taking back control over their bus services
Monday, July 29, 2019
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment in his speech at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry this weekend that he will “begin as a matter of urgency the transformation of local bus services”.
Topic:
Urban Transport Group welcomes appointment of Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP as Chancellor and sets out city region transport priorities for Spending Review
Thursday, July 25, 2019
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the appointment of Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and set out its priorities for urban transport in the Government’s forthcoming Spending Review.
Topic:
Championing active travel can deliver “win-win for people and planet” says Urban Transport Group
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
The Urban Transport Group has responded to calls from MPs for Government to provide the leadership and ambition required to increase levels of walking and cycling.
Topic:
Changing travel habits in UK’s cities revealed in new data report
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Investing in ‘right’ transport policies key to achieving UK’s net zero goal
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Urban Transport Group has today responded to the UK’s move to legislate for net zero carbon emissions.
Topic: