Regional and Urban Rail

Our ‘Rail Devolution Works’ report argues that further rail devolution will enable other regions and areas to also radically transform rail services in a way that supports economic growth at the same time as improving the journey experience for passengers.

The report takes a detailed look at how devolution changed rail services for the better in Merseyside, on London Overground, in Scotland and in Tyne and Wear.

This report aims to provide decision makers with a guide to the implications for urban transport of transformative social and technological change and how they can best respond. 

The report (which was produced in collaboration with Arup Foresight) identifies four key overarching trends: 

• Changes in demographics and lifestyles and the rise of the sharing economy alter mobility choices
• Urbanisation, climate change and the need to improve air quality put pressure on transport systems
• Advances in technology and increased digital connectivity make transport infrastructure smarter and more efficient 
• More powers are devolved to cities and city regions which results in more innovation and leadership in responding to urban challenges in locally appropriate ways

This document sets out the progress we have made and the barriers that need to be overcome if the city regions are to get ticketing that looks and feels more like Oyster.

This report shows how the North's booming railways are integral to its economic prospects; and shows why future plans for the North's railways should be based on expansion and growth.