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
How bus users spend their journey time
This research - conducted by transport consultancy SYSTRA on behalf of the Urban Transport Group - uncovers valuable insights into how passengers spend their time while travelling by bus, and sets out the implications for future bus design and promotion.
The research was based on surveys of over 1,100 people on two different bus routes in Leeds and Nottingham. The two routes both provide a high frequency service and operate with double decker buses with leather seats, WiFi and USB ports - some of the best on-board facilities available. However, the profile of passengers between the two routes was somewhat different, with passengers in Leeds tending to be older, working or retired, whilst a higher proportion of respondents in Nottingham were students, due to the bus route travelling along the university corridor.
Making the connections on climate: How city regions can join the dots between transport, energy and the built environment
This report draws together practical examples of the links that can be made on climate at the city region level between transport and energy, and between transport and the decarbonisation and adaptation of the built environment.
In doing so, the report also suggests practical interventions that can be made on a host of different types of projects as well as profiling how a city can make these connections in an increasingly systematic way - using Nottingham and Munich as case studies.
What scope for boosting bus use? An analysis of the Intrinsic Bus Potential of local authority areas in England
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.
National Initiatives on Skills and Diversity for the Transport Sector
What next for urban transport?
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
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.
Air quality operational asks
Multi-Operator Ticket Comparison 2019
Bus Fares Research 2019
Number crunch 2019: Urban transport trends in changing times
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.
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National Initiatives on Skills and Diversity for the Transport Sector
Air quality operational asks
Multi-Operator Ticket Comparison 2019
Bus Fares Research 2019
Our asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport
Doing more for less - How working together on transport cuts costs and saves time
How the health sector works: a guide for transport professionals
How the transport sector works: a guide for health professionals
Transport authorities and universities – how can we work more closely together?
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How bus users spend their journey time
This research - conducted by transport consultancy SYSTRA on behalf of the Urban Transport Group - uncovers valuable insights into how passengers spend their time while travelling by bus, and sets out the implications for future bus design and promotion.
The research was based on surveys of over 1,100 people on two different bus routes in Leeds and Nottingham. The two routes both provide a high frequency service and operate with double decker buses with leather seats, WiFi and USB ports - some of the best on-board facilities available. However, the profile of passengers between the two routes was somewhat different, with passengers in Leeds tending to be older, working or retired, whilst a higher proportion of respondents in Nottingham were students, due to the bus route travelling along the university corridor.
Making the connections on climate: How city regions can join the dots between transport, energy and the built environment
This report draws together practical examples of the links that can be made on climate at the city region level between transport and energy, and between transport and the decarbonisation and adaptation of the built environment.
In doing so, the report also suggests practical interventions that can be made on a host of different types of projects as well as profiling how a city can make these connections in an increasingly systematic way - using Nottingham and Munich as case studies.
What scope for boosting bus use? An analysis of the Intrinsic Bus Potential of local authority areas in England
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.
What next for urban transport?
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
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.
Number crunch 2019: Urban transport trends in changing times
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
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.
The cross-sector benefits of backing the bus
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
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.
The place to be: How transit oriented development can support good growth in the city regions
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.
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Williams Rail Review - Call for evidence: objectives and assessment criteria
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Protecting Users - Consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities
Spending Review 2019
MHCLG Review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources
Principles for the Rail Review
Active Travel Inquiry
Local roads funding and governance
Health of the bus market
Transport appraisal and modelling strategy: informing future investment decisions
Transport (Scotland) Bill
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Research uncovers valuable insights into how bus passengers spend their time
New research has uncovered valuable insights into how passengers spend their time while travelling by bus, and sets out the implications for future bus design and promotion.
Cities have opportunity to address climate crisis & create more liveable places by joining dots between transport, energy & built environment
- New report shows how cities are delivering emissions reductions and wider benefits by making connections between sectors
Groundbreaking research identifies factors behind high bus use
- Research helps predict “good bus territory” and highlights 25 local areas which out-perform their predicted bus use and why
Urban Transport Group responds to Chancellor’s party conference speech on buses
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.”
Critical challenges and solutions to improving transport in city regions identified ahead of party conferences
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
A new report from the Urban Transport Group says that ‘the future of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is yet to be decided’.
City transport bodies call on Government to make practical policy changes to improve air quality
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
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”.
Urban Transport Group welcomes appointment of Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP as Chancellor and sets out city region transport priorities for Spending Review
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.
Championing active travel can deliver “win-win for people and planet” says Urban Transport Group
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.