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
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
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
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Health of the bus market
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
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Transport appraisal and modelling strategy: informing future investment decisions
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Briefing on Bus Rapid Transit
May, 2018
Bus rapid transit systems - find out more about how they can speed the bus past the traffic jams in our updated briefing.
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Briefing on Light Rail
April, 2018
This updated briefing on Light Rail Systems answers some of the most frequently asked questions about this mode of transport, and presents the benefits that Light Rail can bring.
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UK Transport Governance - an introduction
April, 2018
Read our updated briefing to find out more about how transport is governed in the UK.
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Bus Policy
March, 2018
This updated briefing looks at why buses matter and how bus policy works. It explains the significant challenges facing the sector and how city regions are backing the bus. It also sets out how the 2017 Bus Services Act could help make bus services better.
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Initial take on the 2017 Budget
November, 2017
This briefing provides an initial take on the 2017 Budget.
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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.
Active Travel: Solutions for changing cities
June, 2018
Over the last decade promoting active travel has moved from the fringes of urban transport policy to a much more central role in the planning of cities and their transport networks. This is because the promotion of active travel, and the creation of places and streetscapes where people want to walk and cycle, is such a good fit with where cities that are going places want to be.
In this report we take a detailed look at how active travel schemes can transform cities for the better – from Bristol to Inverness and from post-industrial Northern cities to the heart of the City of London.
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Rail Cities UK: Our vision for their future
June, 2018
Significant rail expansion is the 'only viable option' to help UK cities achieve their ambitions on economic growth and meeting housing demand, whilst also creating attractive urban centres with less road traffic and better air quality.
This report sets out a vision of what a step change in rail provision could mean for passengers and cities - and the obstacles that stand in the way.
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White van cities: Questions, challenges and options on the growth of urban van traffic
April, 2018
Our report, White van cities: Questions, challenges and options on the growth of urban van traffic, shows how van traffic is the fastest growing sector of road traffic with growth forecast to continue.
However, the evidence on what is driving growth in van traffic is limited and under researched.
This report explores the scale and nature of the growth in van traffic and the impacts on city regions across a range of policy areas, each of which play a key role in determining whether our cities are the kinds of places that people want to live, work, invest and spend time in.
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Number crunch: Transport trends in the city regions
April, 2018
Our report, Number crunch: Transport trends in the city regions, identifies some of the most defining patterns of the past decade (and projected future trends) that are changing the face of the UK’s city regions, and the way that people travel within them.
Ageing urban populations, rapid bus passenger decline and huge growth in private hire vehicles are just some of the dramatic shifts taking place in UK cities.
The report draws on data from our unique, free and interactive online tool ‘Data Hub’, which allows users to generate bespoke analysis, graphics and charts of transport, economic and population data.
Banks, bytes and bikes: The transport priorities of the new economy
February, 2018
Our report, Banks, bytes and bikes: The transport priorities of the new economy, highlights how transport needs in urban areas are changing amid the growth of the so-called “flat white economy”.
It sets out how this new economy is already a major driver of the wider UK economy, and how business sectors such as communications, media and information increasingly favour urban locations with good quality of place, as well as good access on foot, by bike and by public transport.
The report challenges monolithic views of what business wants on transport in favour of a more nuanced perspective which recognises that there is a new economy with new perspectives on transport priorities.
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Urban Transport Review 2017
December, 2017
"A lot has changed in urban transport over the past year," writes Lilian Greenwood MP, and Chair of the Transport Select Committee, in the foreword to the Urban Transport Review 2017.
In collaboration with Passenger Transport magazine, this Review features an in depth interview with our Chair Tobyn Hughes, our Director Jonathan Bray shares his key issues for 2018, and we profile some of the most significant changes to transport during 2017.
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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:
Bus Services Act Open data and accessible information
September, 2018
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Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Future of Mobility
September, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Last mile: a Call for Evidence on the opportunities available to deliver goods more sustainably
September, 2018
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Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Draft National Planning Policy Framework
May, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
Pages
South Yorkshire transport chief is new Chair of Urban Transport Group
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Stephen Edwards, the Executive Director of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), is the new Chair of the Urban Transport Group.
His appointment follows the end of the two-year term of outgoing Chair Tobyn Hughes, Managing Director at Nexus.
Rail Review must deliver further devolution to realise world-class railway
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
The Government’s ‘root and branch’ review into rail must bring about further devolution of rail responsibilities if the UK is to realise its ambition of creating a world-class railway, says the Urban Transport Group.
Urban Transport Group launches new analysis - and research programme - into causes of bus patronage decline
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
- Analysis finds many background trends are unfavourable to the bus but that common factors exist in areas where the bus is bouncing back
The Urban Transport Group has today published initial analysis of the causes behind the decline in bus patronage.
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‘Transit oriented development’ can help meet housing demand and reduce car-based urban sprawl, says report
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
- Report sets out five point plan to realise more building developments based around sustainable, public transport and active travel
Leading urban transport data tool relaunches with expansive range of new statistics
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
- Refreshed Data Hub expands ability to ‘select, visualise and share’ key transport data
Urban Transport Group appoints transport heavyweight to investigate benefits of locally-run rail stations
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Transport expert Stephen Joseph is to investigate the benefits that flow from devolved authorities' involvement in railway stations, for a new report for the Urban Transport Group.
Urban Transport Group welcomes appointment of Andrew Jones as Rail Minister
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the appointment of Andrew Jones MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, with responsibility for rail.
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Transport crucial to achieving Government’s ‘Prevention is better than cure’ vision
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the Department of Health and Social Care’s ‘Prevention is better than cure’ vision, whilst also highlighting th
Transport key to ‘putting towns back on the map’, says report
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Transport has a key role to play in helping the UK’s post-industrial towns to thrive – putting them firmly back on the map, a report by the Urban Transport Group finds today.
Urban Transport Group sets out concerns over new Scottish buses legislation
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the intent of new legislation to reform bus services in Scotland but has warned that changes need to be made if the legislation is to be workable in practice.
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