Taking the brakes off mass transit
Mass transit covers modes of transport that can move large numbers of people in and around cities. It is key to unlocking the potential of our cities and their surrounding areas. Not only does it offer the opportunity to transform transport connectivity, but it also has the potential to support wider goals — from accelerating economic and housing growth, boosting access to jobs and unlocking regeneration opportunities, to tackling congestion, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.
The UK already has some strong examples of where mass transit is delivering these benefits. Take Belfast’s Bus Rapid Transit system Glider, where patronage on its core routes had increased by 70% just a year after opening. Or Greater Manchester’s Metrolink tram network, which has facilitated employment growth in Manchester city centre, as well as widespread regeneration at Salford Quays. And there are many more.
The issue for mass transit in the UK is not one of ambition. It is the speed, cost and complexity of delivering such schemes. Mass transit projects, from concept through to operation, are often too slow and costly in coming to fruition. It is a whole life-cycle challenge. Factors such as building the business case and obtaining approvals, planning processes, acquiring land, fragmented funding arrangements and difficulties in project capitalisation are further compounded by highly complex governance arrangements, procurement challenges, construction regulations and delivery constraints. All these elements can add delays to projects.
A force for good
This is where the work of the new Mass Transit Taskforce — which I am pleased to be Chairing — comes in. Set up by government last month, but reporting independently, the Taskforce will provide advice on overcoming these challenges by identifying practical reforms (not just theory) to process, planning, financing and delivery models, and making targeted recommendations to both government and local authorities.
Its work is timely, with many areas poised to deliver mass transit schemes or considering them as part of their wider vision for improved transport and local growth. The Taskforce will produce clear recommendations, informed by evidence, analysis and expert advice, on how the benefits of mass transit can be appropriately realised for more people and places and how mass transit projects can be delivered with greater speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness whilst maintaining excellent standards for safety, accessibility and passenger experience. It is firmly outcome driven — with a commitment to produce an initial report within 6 months.
I am delighted to be supported on the Taskforce by 3 experts in this field. Richard de Cani, Chief Officer for Global Business and Markets at Arup, brings a deep insight into city planning and the strategic policy landscape which has enabled him to drive successful mass transit schemes. David Milner, the Managing Director at Create Streets, has helped to advise government on major infrastructure projects. And Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport (UTG), works with transport authorities across the UK, many of which already operate successful mass transit schemes, with others looking to introduce a mass transit offer in their regions. The Taskforce will be supported by an expert panel and UTG is also acting as the Secretariat.
The Taskforce will consider ‘mass transit’ as transport designed to quickly and efficiently carry large numbers of passengers at once, covering light rail, very light rail, tram (and tram-train), metro-style systems, and bus rapid transit.
From concept to completion
The Taskforce will first assess the wider economic, spatial and social benefits of integrated mass transit systems, with a focus on mass transit’s role in supporting economic growth, new jobs and housing. It will be crucial to better articulate the case for where mass transit is appropriate and can generate patronage.
It will examine the pre-delivery stage and what’s needed to set schemes up for success. This will include the strategic fit and options appraisal, the development of the business case and approvals process, as well as funding and the financial sustainability of schemes.
In parallel, the focus will also rest on delivery in the real world, looking at consenting complexity, procurement and supply chain readiness, challenges around utilities, and the handover and operational process.
It is through this process that the Taskforce will be able to effectively identify the barriers that impede the development and delivery of mass transit systems, and to target specific recommendations to central and local government.
Call for evidence
And this is where the transport sector is needed. We have launched a call for evidence seeking views on tackling such barriers. The call for evidence is structured under themes which broadly align with the lifecycle of mass transit projects. But we specifically want to hear how challenges under those themes contribute to delays and inefficiencies, discover real world examples of where specific delays and inefficiencies have been overcome, and explore what else can be done to deliver schemes more quickly and efficiently.
Defining the future
In working across many transport and economic generation and regeneration schemes, I have been frustrated by the unnecessary complexity that we have over time inserted into so many of our processes. I welcome this opportunity to make changes to address this in an important area of decision making. I have found that it is often the case that quite small and simple changes can unlock faster outcomes and sometimes we only lack the confidence to make them. People in the field generally know how to do things better, that knowledge has to be unleashed and put to work.
So, what might success for the Taskforce’s work look like? Ultimately, we are striving for a smoother and more confident pathway from mass transit vision to delivery. This includes a clearer understanding of the costs and benefits of mass transit, an assessment of where reform is needed, and the practical recommendations that government can act on quickly.
The call for evidence is an invitation for you — the transport industry — to shape a successful future for mass transit. It requires a sector wide effort to bring together the best evidence, insight and experience from across the multiple disciplines that are involved in mass transit schemes. The window for influence is now (and running until 31 August 2026) and I would encourage you to contribute to help shape a set of recommendations that ensure the next generation of mass transit schemes — and the benefits they bring — can be delivered quickly and efficiently across the UK.
Author: Bridget Rosewell CBE is Chair of the Mass Transit Taskforce.
This blog post first appeared in Passenger Transport magazine.