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
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:
WISP call for evidence
February, 2022
Consulting body:
Network Rail
Topic:
The threat to public transport in the city regions
February, 2022
Topic:
Delivering a greener future - Urban freight and the decarbonisation of the city regions
January, 2022
Our city regions rely on the smooth movement of goods to keep supermarket shelves stocked, hospitals supplied with medicine and other equipment, to deliver construction materials and support thriving economies.
However, the current dominance of road freight, produces many negative impacts for our cities.
This report sets out the role for freight in decarbonising city regions and the need for freight to play its part in creating urban areas that are greener, fairer, happier, healthier and more prosperous places.
Topic:
Making rail reform work for people and places in the city regions
December, 2021
This statement calls for rail reform to both build on the success of the devolution of rail powers which has already taken place, and for structured and meaningful involvement for the city regions in how rail reform plans unfold.
It sets out a range of scenarios for how the proven benefits of devolving further responsibilities for rail could be extended to more passengers and places. These include options for extending and deepening local control and accountability for both rail services, infrastructure and investment.
Topic:
Creating a Road Collision Investigation Branch
December, 2021
UTG response to DfT proposal to create a Road Collision Investigation Branch to investigate the causes of road traffic collisions.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Future of Transport regulatory review: regulatory sandboxes
November, 2021
UTG response to DfT consultation on the use of regulatory sandboxes to support innovation in surface transport.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Future of transport regulatory review: zero emission vehicles
November, 2021
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Fully charged: Powering up the potential of e-bikes in the city regions
November, 2021
This report, produced by consultants Steer for the Urban Transport Group, aims to quantify and understand the potential to increase e-bike uptake in the UK, particularly in the city regions, and the benefits that could be realised as a result. It breaks new ground by presenting different scenarios on the potential for e-bikes to achieve mode shift from cars and taxis, and to deliver environmental and economic benefits.
The report also aims to support urban transport authorities to consider practical approaches to increasing e-bike uptake.
Topic:
Pages
UK Transport Governance - an introduction
October, 2020
Read our updated briefing to find out more about how transport is governed in the UK.
Topic:
The key COVID-19 challenges for urban transport and the support we need from Government
August, 2020
This overarching briefing sets out the key issues facing urban transport authorities in their response to the coronavirus crisis. It also sets out the four things we need from Government so that transport authorities can support a safe and achievable phased release from lockdown. Updated 18 August 2020.
Topic:
Supporting bus services in the COVID-19 recovery period
July, 2020
This briefing makes the case for a more robust and cost effective format for funding support for the bus sector for the recovery period.
Document:
Topic:
The urgent need for sustainable bus funding arrangements for bus services in the Covid-19 recovery period
June, 2020
This briefing sets out the case for a more robust and cost effective format for bus funding for the recovery period. Updated 16th June 2020
Document:
Topic:
Open letter to Baroness Vere on funding during Coronavirus pandemic
May, 2020
An open letter to Baroness Vere on funding for urban transport in the city regions during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Topic:
Climate emergency declarations - briefing note
December, 2019
This document provides a summary of which authorities have declared a climate emergency and what targets they are committing to. It does not cover all authorities but focuses primarily in those in the city regions, with some additional key urban areas included for interest. This document represents a snapshot in December 2019, as authorities are continuing to declare climate emergencies and set targets.
Document:
Topic:
Air quality
July, 2019
Working to improve air quality is a key challenge and priority across our members. Here are our five operational asks of Government which would help us to achieve this aim.
Multi-Operator Ticket Comparison 2019
July, 2019
This document provides comparative analysis of bus operator fares and multi-operator ticket fareas across Urban Transport Group member areas and a range of comparators. This information was collected in June 2019 and was correct at the time of research. Bus fares change regularly and it is likely that some of the fares are out of date, however, this is intended as a snap shot analysis and should be treated as such.
Document:
Topic:
Bus Fares Research 2019
July, 2019
This briefing provides a summary of bus fares from the main operators across Urban Transport Group member areas. Bus fare information was collected in June 2019 and was correct at the time of research. Bus fares are updated regularly so it is likely that some of the fares have already changes, however, this document is a snap shot analysis and should be treated as such.
Document:
Topic:
Our asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport
March, 2019
This briefing sets out Urban Transport Group's asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport, based around four broad categories of people; funding and investment; the policy framework; and place-based impact.
Topic:
Pages
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:
Towards an appropriate legal and regulatory framework for smart futures on transport
September, 2020
Commissioned from consultants Steer, this report seeks to provide an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses the current UK legal and regulatory framework for smart transport futures in relation to the key challenges that UK transport authorities face. It also explores the potential for anticipatory regulation, principles that could underpin any changes to the framework and recommendations for priority areas in need of reform.
Topic:
Action stations: How devolution is transforming rail stations for the better
August, 2020
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.
Automatic for the people? Issues and options for transport authorities on connected and autonomous vehicles
March, 2020
This report aims to provide an objective framework for city regions to think about connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and the approaches they might take to them.
It looks at CAVs from the perspective of city region transport authorities in the context of their wider objectives and responsibilities; it recognises that vehicles are becoming increasingly connected and autonomous; and that the range of connected and autonomous vehicles goes beyond just cars to include buses and public service vehicles. It also analyses the safety, economic, social and environmental considerations of CAVs.
The report presents options for how transport authorities may respond to CAVs, and recommends the actions national Government should take to enable them to do so.
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:
How bus users spend their journey time
November, 2019
This research - conducted by transport consultancy SYSTRA on behalf of the Urban Transport Group - uncovers valuable insights into how passengers spend their time while travelling by bus, and sets out the implications for future bus design and promotion.
The research was based on surveys of over 1,100 people on two different bus routes in Leeds and Nottingham. The two routes both provide a high frequency service and operate with double decker buses with leather seats, WiFi and USB ports - some of the best on-board facilities available. However, the profile of passengers between the two routes was somewhat different, with passengers in Leeds tending to be older, working or retired, whilst a higher proportion of respondents in Nottingham were students, due to the bus route travelling along the university corridor.
Topic:
Making the connections on climate: How city regions can join the dots between transport, energy and the built environment
November, 2019
This report draws together practical examples of the links that can be made on climate at the city region level between transport and energy, and between transport and the decarbonisation and adaptation of the built environment.
In doing so, the report also suggests practical interventions that can be made on a host of different types of projects as well as profiling how a city can make these connections in an increasingly systematic way - using Nottingham and Munich as case studies.
You can listen to a podcast of a public lecture held at LSE Cities in London, where the report was launched.
Topic:
What scope for boosting bus use? An analysis of the Intrinsic Bus Potential of local authority areas in England
October, 2019
This research, by Transport for Quality of Life, identifies the underlying conditions that best predict levels of bus use in local areas. It points to six conditions which, when combined, are used to define the ‘Intrinsic Bus Potential’ (IBP) of a local authority area. These include the Index of Multiple Deprivation, the proportion of students, and rush-hour traffic travel times.
The report also identifies additional factors which may explain why some areas exceed expectations with higher levels of bus use than predicted, such as a pre-existing culture of bus use, high levels of bus provision, and local factors such as poor rail connectivity.
The research has a number of important implications, including the need for radical change on bus policy to enable more areas to do significantly better on bus patronage.
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."
Pages
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:
Traffic Commissioner Function
September, 2021
Consulting body:
Traffic Commissioners
Public Transport Ticketing Scheme Block Exemption
May, 2021
Consulting body:
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Topic:
Automated Vehicles: Consultation Paper 3 – A regulatory framework for automated vehicles
March, 2021
UTG response to the third Law Commission consultation on automated vehicles and the regulatory framework that should apply to them.
Consulting body:
Law Commission
Topic:
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
Reforming Public Transport after the Pandemic
December, 2020
This is the Urban Transport Group's response to the Transport Select Committee's inquiry into the long-term implications of the coronavirus pandemic for UK public transport.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Topic:
Pavement parking: options for change
November, 2020
UTG response to DfT proposals for reducing the prevalence of pavement parking.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Planning for the future
October, 2020
This is the Urban Transport Group response the consultation on 'Planning for the future', which examines proposed reforms to the planning system in England.
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
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
Transport Decarbonisation Plan
August, 2020
This is our response to the Government's Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which requested ideas about the next steps to reducing emissions in transport and creating a plan to ensure the UK meets its net zero emissions by 2050 target.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Pages
100 million car and taxi trips in city regions could be replaced by e-bikes if Government delivers target for shift to cycling, new report shows
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Over 100 million car and taxi trips made in city regions each year could instead be on e-bikes if the Government is able to deliver its target for mode shift to cycling, according to a new report by consultants Steer for the Urban Transport Group (UTG).
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.
Urban Transport Group welcomes Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to growing network
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
The Urban Transport Group (UTG) has today welcomed Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) as its latest Associate Member, meaning UTG now has members from all ten Combined Authority areas, as well as from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom.
Topic:
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:
Tram and light rail providers welcome new Covid funding package
Friday, July 16, 2021
The Urban Transport Group, which represents the transport authorities responsible for tram and light rail systems in the English city regions, has today welcomed a new £56 million funding package from Government for tram and light rail systems outside London.
Topic:
New report commissioned to highlight key role of light rail in city region COVID-19 recovery
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
The Urban Transport Group (which brings together the transport authorities responsible for all but one of England’s tram and light rail systems) has commissioned a new report, from transport consultancy Steer, which will provide a comprehensive analysis and summary of the benefits of light rail
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:
The biggest job in UK urban transport: TfL Commissioner to speak about leading through a global crisis and towards a green and just recovery
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Transport for London Commissioner Andy Byford will be in conversation with Jo Field, Chief Executive of JFG Communications and President of Women in Transport for the seventh in the Urban Transport Next series of events, hosted by Urban Transport Group.