Coronavirus
This section of our website collects the various resources that we have been developing with our members in handling the coronavirus outbreak. Here, you will find our key briefings, press statements and regular blog posts from our Director Jonathan Bray. Further information and resources will be added as our response continues to evolve.
Resources
Funding and delivering bus services during the pandemic and beyond
Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020
The Covid-19 Funding Gap: The Case for Continuing Support for Urban Public Transport
This report, produced by transport consultancy Steer for the Urban Transport Group, warns that the future of local public transport services is at serious risk without continued COVID-19 financial support from Government.
It highlights how Government support allowed public transport to continue during the national lockdown (enabling key workers to travel to and from work) and to provide a more comprehensive service at lower socially distanced vehicle capacity following the end of the lockdown.
But the report paints a stark picture for both bus and light rail systems should this support be withdrawn prematurely.
Building back better on urban transport
As the network of transport authorities serving the largest city regions in England, we worked together to keep the wheels of public transport turning during the lockdown so that key workers could get to where they needed to be.
With the release from national lockdown we have ramped up public transport, and prioritised cycling and walking, to support a green and just recovery.
In this paper we set out how, with the right policy framework from Government, we can meet that challenge.
Action stations: How devolution is transforming rail stations for the better
This report focuses on the benefits of the involvement of devolved authorities in rail stations.
It does so by looking at over 35 case studies of how and why devolved authorities have improved stations for the better in recent years – and the wide range of different kinds of benefits that this has brought for passengers and the places the railway serves. These benefits include helping to meet local housing need and sparking regeneration, turning run-down stations into gateways and places to be proud of, and improving the accessibility and environmental performance of station buildings.
The report goes further by looking at the potential to achieve even greater results through devolving more responsibilities for stations, such as delivering common branding with the rest of the local public transport network, through to ensuring plans and funding for stations is integrated with wider plans around housing, economic development and decarbonisation.
The key COVID-19 challenges for urban transport and the support we need from Government
The urgent need for sustainable bus funding arrangements for bus services in the Covid-19 recovery period
Open letter to Baroness Vere on funding during Coronavirus pandemic
Urban Transport Group launches new model to help predict bus use during and after COVID-19 pandemic
The Urban Transport Group has today launched the most sophisticated tool currently available for modelling bus use in city regions.
Pages
Funding and delivering bus services during the pandemic and beyond
The key COVID-19 challenges for urban transport and the support we need from Government
The urgent need for sustainable bus funding arrangements for bus services in the Covid-19 recovery period
Open letter to Baroness Vere on funding during Coronavirus pandemic
The Covid-19 Funding Gap: The Case for Continuing Support for Urban Public Transport
This report, produced by transport consultancy Steer for the Urban Transport Group, warns that the future of local public transport services is at serious risk without continued COVID-19 financial support from Government.
It highlights how Government support allowed public transport to continue during the national lockdown (enabling key workers to travel to and from work) and to provide a more comprehensive service at lower socially distanced vehicle capacity following the end of the lockdown.
But the report paints a stark picture for both bus and light rail systems should this support be withdrawn prematurely.
Building back better on urban transport
As the network of transport authorities serving the largest city regions in England, we worked together to keep the wheels of public transport turning during the lockdown so that key workers could get to where they needed to be.
With the release from national lockdown we have ramped up public transport, and prioritised cycling and walking, to support a green and just recovery.
In this paper we set out how, with the right policy framework from Government, we can meet that challenge.
Action stations: How devolution is transforming rail stations for the better
This report focuses on the benefits of the involvement of devolved authorities in rail stations.
It does so by looking at over 35 case studies of how and why devolved authorities have improved stations for the better in recent years – and the wide range of different kinds of benefits that this has brought for passengers and the places the railway serves. These benefits include helping to meet local housing need and sparking regeneration, turning run-down stations into gateways and places to be proud of, and improving the accessibility and environmental performance of station buildings.
The report goes further by looking at the potential to achieve even greater results through devolving more responsibilities for stations, such as delivering common branding with the rest of the local public transport network, through to ensuring plans and funding for stations is integrated with wider plans around housing, economic development and decarbonisation.
Reforming Public Transport after the Pandemic
Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020
Urban Transport Group launches new model to help predict bus use during and after COVID-19 pandemic
The Urban Transport Group has today launched the most sophisticated tool currently available for modelling bus use in city regions.
City regions must be “at the heart” of Government’s Green Industrial Revolution
UTG launches ‘Urban Transport Next’ - a new series of lunchtime conversations on the future beyond COVID
Urban Transport Group (UTG) has launched the first in a series of free online lunch-hour conversations to explore the future of urban transport as we begin to look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and tackle the climate emergency.
Report paints stark picture for future of bus and tram services without continued Government COVID-19 support
- Paper suggests “rapid and deep cut” in bus services if COVID-19 financial backing were to be withdrawn prematurely
Empower urban transport authorities to build back better from COVID-19, urges report
Transport authorities can play their part in shaping a positive legacy of COVID-19 for the UK’s city regions, provided they are given both the funding and powers they need to respond to the challenges that lie ahead.
Rail stations investment key to building back better after COVID-19
- New report shows essential role devolved authorities can play in station transformation
City regions respond to Government’s COVID-19 funding for urban public transport
The Urban Transport Group, the UK’s network of city region transport authorities, has today responded to the Government’s package of financial support for urban public transport as it works to keep people moving through the COVID-19 crisis.
Statement on the DfE Return to Schools Policy
More funding support will be needed as part of collaborative approach to getting pupils safely to school.
Stephen Edwards, Chair of the Urban Transport Group, said:
Open letter from transport authorities to Minister on urgent need for restart funding
City region transport authorities have sent an open letter to the Transport Minister Baroness Vere on the urgent need to cover the gap for the city regions outside London on COVID-19.