Public Transport in towns and cities
March, 2022
UTG evidence to Lords Built Environment Committee on Public Transport in Towns and Cities
Consulting body:
Built Environment Committee
Topic:
Funding
Resources
Funding a better future for urban transport
March, 2022
This briefing explains that the immediate challenge on funding is the Government’s intention that there will be no further additional revenue funding beyond September 2022. Government should use the next six months to put in place a long term, enhanced and devolved approach to funding bus services.
Continuing COVID Funding Support for Urban Public Transport
February, 2022
This report finds that if Government’s Covid-related financial support to urban public transport outside London ends (in March 2022), buses would soon be less frequent and more expensive, and patronage would be substantially lower than pre-Covid levels, potentially up to 30% lower.
Further financial support however would halt the decline of bus (and light rail) patronage and has the potential to get patronage levels back towards their pre-pandemic levels. It would also create the opportunity for Government to reform its approach to supporting public transport funding so it can be used to the best effect.
The report recommends that the Government’s Covid-related support to urban public transport is maintained for at least a further 12 months.
Topic:
The threat to public transport in the city regions
February, 2022
Topic:
Leading Light: What Light Rail can do for City Regions
October, 2021
This report, produced by Steer for the Urban Transport Group, shows how Britain’s light rail systems have supported economic growth in the areas that they serve, promoted social inclusion and led to environmental gain, including a reduction in carbon emissions.
It argues there is a need to maintain the connectivity provided by light rail as the economies of the towns and cities that light rail serves recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It says investment in maintenance and renewal will continue and potentially enhance the benefits that light rail brings and that a stable Government policy and funding environment will help promoters come forward with light rail proposals that will bring further economic, societal and environmental benefits.
Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2021
September, 2021
This is our submission to HM Treasury's Comprehensive Spending Review 2021. In our submission, we warn Government that wider objectives for carbon reduction and levelling up (as well as the specific objectives of the national active travel and bus strategies) cannot be met without increased spending on local transport. Indeed, without additional funding bus patronage (and bus network size) are likely to remain at levels well below what they were pre-pandemic (when patronage and network size were already at an all-time low).
To fully realise the benefits of enhanced, devolved and longer term funding for local transport we need city region transport authorities which are fully empowered to take decisions across the modes in a way which reflects local circumstances and aspirations.
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Document:
Back the Bus to Level Up
September, 2021
This report makes the case for bus revenue funding and reform of how it is provided.
It aims to arrive at a realistic assessment of the revenue funding that will be needed to support the ambitious transformation in bus services envisaged by the National Bus Strategy. It also looks at how the way in which funding is provided could be reformed in order to offer better value for public money and enable it to be targeted in the most effective way locally.
The report:
- Reviews the overall case for revenue support for bus.
- Uses our Metropolitan Bus Model to test different revenue funding scenarios for their impact on service levels, fares and patronage.
- Makes the case for reform of the way in which revenue support for buses is provided.
Topic:
Building back better on urban transport
June, 2021
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.
In this paper we set out how, with the right policy framework from Government, we can meet the challenge of ramping up public transport and prioritising cycling and walking to support a green and just recovery.
(Updated version June 2021)
Pages
Funding a better future for urban transport
March, 2022
This briefing explains that the immediate challenge on funding is the Government’s intention that there will be no further additional revenue funding beyond September 2022. Government should use the next six months to put in place a long term, enhanced and devolved approach to funding bus services.
The threat to public transport in the city regions
February, 2022
Topic:
Spending review 2020 analysis
December, 2020
Topic:
Funding and delivering bus services during the pandemic and beyond
November, 2020
This document proposes a two stage approach to ensuring the most efficient use of public funding to provide the best possible bus service during the pandemic, whilst setting in place the foundations for reversing the decline in bus use that was taking place before the pandemic.
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:
Initial take on the 2017 Budget
November, 2017
This briefing provides an initial take on the 2017 Budget.
Document:
Topic:
Briefing on outcomes from the spending review
December, 2015
An initial briefing on outcomes from the November 2015 Spending Review
Document:
Topic:
A fair deal for bus users
August, 2015
This new joint briefing with Greener Journeys and Campaign for Better Transport sets out the case for a fair deal for bus funding from the Spending Review.
Document:
Pages
Continuing COVID Funding Support for Urban Public Transport
February, 2022
This report finds that if Government’s Covid-related financial support to urban public transport outside London ends (in March 2022), buses would soon be less frequent and more expensive, and patronage would be substantially lower than pre-Covid levels, potentially up to 30% lower.
Further financial support however would halt the decline of bus (and light rail) patronage and has the potential to get patronage levels back towards their pre-pandemic levels. It would also create the opportunity for Government to reform its approach to supporting public transport funding so it can be used to the best effect.
The report recommends that the Government’s Covid-related support to urban public transport is maintained for at least a further 12 months.
Topic:
Leading Light: What Light Rail can do for City Regions
October, 2021
This report, produced by Steer for the Urban Transport Group, shows how Britain’s light rail systems have supported economic growth in the areas that they serve, promoted social inclusion and led to environmental gain, including a reduction in carbon emissions.
It argues there is a need to maintain the connectivity provided by light rail as the economies of the towns and cities that light rail serves recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It says investment in maintenance and renewal will continue and potentially enhance the benefits that light rail brings and that a stable Government policy and funding environment will help promoters come forward with light rail proposals that will bring further economic, societal and environmental benefits.
Back the Bus to Level Up
September, 2021
This report makes the case for bus revenue funding and reform of how it is provided.
It aims to arrive at a realistic assessment of the revenue funding that will be needed to support the ambitious transformation in bus services envisaged by the National Bus Strategy. It also looks at how the way in which funding is provided could be reformed in order to offer better value for public money and enable it to be targeted in the most effective way locally.
The report:
- Reviews the overall case for revenue support for bus.
- Uses our Metropolitan Bus Model to test different revenue funding scenarios for their impact on service levels, fares and patronage.
- Makes the case for reform of the way in which revenue support for buses is provided.
Topic:
Building back better on urban transport
June, 2021
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.
In this paper we set out how, with the right policy framework from Government, we can meet the challenge of ramping up public transport and prioritising cycling and walking to support a green and just recovery.
(Updated version June 2021)
A new deal for urban transport: for the pandemic and beyond
February, 2021
This short paper shows how urban transport authorities have been keeping the wheels of public transport turning during the pandemic, working together to meet the challenges of COVID-19, whilst delivering better transport for a green and just recovery from it.
But transport authorities lack long-term, coherent and sufficient Government funding and key powers to provide the best service they can during the pandemic or in the longer term to transform and coordinate public transport.
Our case is set out in more detailed reports here including Building back better on urban transport.
Now is the time for a new deal on urban transport.
Topic:
The Covid-19 Funding Gap: The Case for Continuing Support for Urban Public Transport
September, 2020
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.
Topic:
The Local Transport Lottery - The costs and inefficiencies of funding local transport through ad hoc competitions
February, 2020
This report takes an in-depth look at the implications of an excessive reliance on competition funding for urban transport projects.
The research shows how such a reliance impacts local authorities’ ability to deliver value for money and places pressure on authorities and their staff.
The report is based on surveys and one-to-one interviews with senior officers responsible for delivering transport policies, programmes and projects in some of England’s largest city regions.
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."
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.
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.
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Public Transport in towns and cities
March, 2022
UTG evidence to Lords Built Environment Committee on Public Transport in Towns and Cities
Consulting body:
Built Environment Committee
Topic:
Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2021
September, 2021
This is our submission to HM Treasury's Comprehensive Spending Review 2021. In our submission, we warn Government that wider objectives for carbon reduction and levelling up (as well as the specific objectives of the national active travel and bus strategies) cannot be met without increased spending on local transport. Indeed, without additional funding bus patronage (and bus network size) are likely to remain at levels well below what they were pre-pandemic (when patronage and network size were already at an all-time low).
To fully realise the benefits of enhanced, devolved and longer term funding for local transport we need city region transport authorities which are fully empowered to take decisions across the modes in a way which reflects local circumstances and aspirations.
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Document:
Major transport infrastructure projects: appraisal and delivery
January, 2021
Our response to the Transport Committee inquiry into the appraisal and delivery of major transport infrastructure projects. This inquiry considers: transport infrastructure strategy and priorities; the appraisal and funding of transport infrastructure; oversight, accountability and governance of transport infrastructure projects; and factors influencing the cost and capacity and skills required to deliver the infrastructure plans.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020
September, 2020
This is our submission to HM Treasury's Comprehensive Spending Review 2020. In our submission, we call upon the Government to move on from its current 'patch and mend’ approach to closing the COVID-19 funding gap for public transport towards longer-term, secure arrangements. We argue that this should form the basis for wider reforms of the funding and powers of city region transport authorities. In practice, this would mean providing long-term funding packages for local transport similar to those already in place for national rail and roads, as well as upgrading the powers of city region transport authorities so they are more in line with those in London. This would ensure that transport authorities are fully empowered and funded to meet the challenge of a green and just recovery from COVID-19.
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Budget representations 2020
February, 2020
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Topic:
Spending Review 2019
March, 2019
Initial response to the 2019 spending review
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Document:
Topic:
MHCLG Review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources
February, 2019
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
Transport appraisal and modelling strategy: informing future investment decisions
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Rail Infrastructure Investment Inquiry
January, 2018
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Topic:
National Infrastructure Assessment
January, 2018
Consulting body:
National Infrastructure Commission
Topic:
Pages
Urban Transport Authorities respond to DfT funding announcement
Monday, April 4, 2022
Responding to today's DfT's funding announcement Chair of the Urban Transport Group, Laura Shoaf, said:
Urban Transport Group welcomes Government’s extension of COVID funding for public transport
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the announcement that Government will extend its COVID funding support for local transport for a further six months.
Topic:
Nearly one in three urban bus trips – some 300 million journeys - could be lost without further financial support from Government, report warns
Thursday, February 17, 2022
The number of bus passengers in city regions outside London could be up to 30% lower than before the pandemic – a “similar magnitude” to the direct impact which COVID-19 itself has had on demand - if the Government does not extend its financial support for the bus.
Topic:
Urban Transport Group responds to Levelling Up White Paper
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
The Urban Transport Group, the network of UK transport authorities, has today responded to the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper.
Topic:
Urban Transport Group responds to Spending Review
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Responding to today’s Spending Review, Jonathan Bray, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:
Protect and expand Britain’s light rail systems to aid city regions’ recovery from COVID pandemic, urges report
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Britain’s light rail systems are instrumental in supporting economic growth, promoting social inclusion and achieving environmental gains (including a reduction in carbon emissions) in the urban areas that they serve.
Government will miss carbon reduction objectives and levelling up goals without more local transport spending, warn city regions
Thursday, September 23, 2021
The Government will fail to meet its objectives around carbon reduction and levelling up unless it increases spending on local transport as part of the Spending Review.
New report makes case for Spending Review to back the bus
Thursday, September 9, 2021
‘Spending Review will decide whether bus strategy aspirations will be met’
Report shows current funding falls well short of what will be needed for levelling up
Topic:
Urban transport authorities welcome extension of COVID light rail funding support
Friday, June 18, 2021
The Urban Transport Group today welcomed the extension by one month (from June 21st to July 19th) of funding from Government to close the gap caused by loss of patronage due to the pandemic.
Stephen Edwards, who leads on light rail for UTG, said:
Topic:
City regions make case for new deal for urban transport in run up to Budget
Thursday, February 25, 2021
City region transport authorities are making the case for a new deal on urban transport in the run up to next week’s Budget.
Topic:
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