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
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.
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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
National Initiatives on Skills and Diversity for the Transport Sector
January, 2021
This resource brings together national initiatives on skills and diversity with relevance to the transport sector. This is the only such resource for the transport sector. It can help organisations looking to diversify their workforce, help to raise the profile of careers in transport to the next generation and support inclusion and wellbeing in the current transport workforce.
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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
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Briefing on Light Rail
December, 2020
This updated briefing on Light Rail Systems answers some of the most frequently asked questions about this mode of transport, and presents the benefits that Light Rail can bring.
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Spending review 2020 analysis
December, 2020
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Pavement parking: options for change
November, 2020
UTG response to DfT proposals for reducing the prevalence of pavement parking.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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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.
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Bus Policy
November, 2020
This updated briefing looks at why buses matter and how bus policy works. It explains the significant challenges facing the sector (including the COVID-19 pandemic) and how city regions are backing the bus. It also sets out how the 2017 Bus Services Act could help make bus services better.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How the health sector works: a guide for transport professionals
August, 2018
An introductory guide to the health sector for transport professionals seeking to collaborate with health colleagues within local authorities and the NHS. The guide is intended to provide a starting point for joint working. Note that a companion guide 'How the transport sector works: a guide for health professionals' has also been produced.
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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.
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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.
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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."
MaaS movement? Issues and options on Mobility as a Service for city region transport authorities
September, 2019
This report examines the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) - schemes which provide access to information on, and payment for, transport options via a single digital platform.
It identifies the three key factors that will determine the future of MaaS and also sets out the issues and options for city regions on the role they might play in shaping MaaS in their areas.
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Number crunch 2019: Urban transport trends in changing times
June, 2019
We are living in rapidly changing times. Big shifts are taking place in urban transport trends.
Number crunch 2019 is the second in our Number crunch report series and provides an updated overview of the key trends over the last ten years, as well as taking a look at what the new and most recent data is telling us. The report also investigates some new issues – including housing need and social inclusion.
In these changing times, the case for coordinated and integrated transport planning at the city region level is stronger than ever. So is the case for long term funding frameworks for local urban transport rather than stop-start funding as is currently the case.
How people respond to the experience of bus travel and the implications for the future of bus services
May, 2019
This literature review - carried out by SYSTRA for the Urban Transport Group - aims to appraise the existing evidence base on the range of factors that influence how people respond to the experience of bus travel, with a focus on the social-emotional experience of bus travel and on the experiences of different socio-demographic groups.
The review does not aim to act as a ‘to-do’ list to complete in order to improve bus travel experiences. Any learnings taken should acknowledge that the bus services assessed in the literature are often hyper-local and therefore are experienced in a very individual market.
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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.
What's driving bus patronage change? An analysis of the evidence base
January, 2019
This report explores a range of factors relevant to bus patronage decline, under the themes of social and economic change; alternatives to the bus; and public attitudes to bus travel.
It finds that changing travel habits as a result of different lifestyles and working patterns, wider demographic and economic shifts, the rise of on-demand services, exemplified by runaway growth in Private Hire Vehicles, are amongst the many background factors affecting patronage.
The report also looks at areas where bus use is high or is growing and seeks to draw some initial conclusions about common denominators.
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The place to be: How transit oriented development can support good growth in the city regions
January, 2019
This report examines ‘transit oriented development’ - the principle of putting public transport front and centre in new residential and commercial developments, with the aim of maximising access by public transport, encouraging walking and cycling, and minimising the need to own and use private cars.
The report suggests that transit oriented development has the potential to meet housing need without undermining the green belt or creating more traffic congestion and sprawl. It also examines other areas where it can deliver wide-ranging benefits, such as to local economies; air quality and carbon emissions; social inclusion, employment and skills; health; and public transport patronage.
The place to be sets out a five point plan on how to realise more building developments which are based around sustainable, public transport and active travel.
About towns: How transport can help towns thrive
November, 2018
This report examines the key role that transport interventions can play in supporting post-industrial towns.
It features case studies from the UK and the wider world of how different types of interventions - from transport’s role as an ‘anchor institution’ for local economies and as an employer, through to how transport interchanges can act as ‘gateways’ and sources of civic pride and renewal - can achieve results.
A key finding of the report is that isolated capital interventions in transport infrastructure are insufficient in themselves. Instead, more co-ordinated programmes of transport capital and revenue investment and support are needed if towns are to truly thrive.
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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
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Future of Transport Regulatory Review
July, 2020
Our response to the Department for Transport's consultation focusing on the potential for regulatory reform around micromobility; flexible bus services; and Mobility as a Service (MaaS).
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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e-scooters: pavement nuisance or transport innovation?
June, 2020
Our response to the Transport Committee's inquiry into the safety and legal implications of electric scooters, their impact on congestion, and potential contribution to reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
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Legalising rental e-scooter trials
June, 2020
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Budget representations 2020
February, 2020
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
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Automated Vehicles: Passenger services and public transport
February, 2020
Consulting body:
Law Commission
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Williams Rail Review - Call for evidence: objectives and assessment criteria
April, 2019
Our consultation response to the Williams Rail Review's call for evidence on objectives and assessment criteria. The Review was established to recommend the most appropriate organisational and commercial frameworks to support the delivery of the government’s vision for the railway.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Protecting Users - Consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities
April, 2019
Our response to the Department for Transport's consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Spending Review 2019
March, 2019
Initial response to the 2019 spending review
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
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MHCLG Review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources
February, 2019
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
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City regions welcome continued emergency light rail funding
Saturday, March 20, 2021
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed continued emergency funding for light rail systems outside London, but stressed that longer term funding will be needed whilst public transport recovers from the pandemic.
Urban Transport Group welcomes national bus strategy's “positive and ambitious vision for the future”
Monday, March 15, 2021
The Urban Transport Group, the network of UK transport authorities (which serve the areas where the vast majority of bus trips are made), has today welcomed the national bus strategy.
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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.
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New report to review regulation of bus safety, commissioned by Urban Transport Group
Monday, February 22, 2021
The strengths and weaknesses of the current system of oversight and regulation of bus safety are to be analysed by the Urban Transport Group in a new report.
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Urban Transport Group brings together past and present Nexus leaders to celebrate 40 years of Tyne and Wear Metro at special event
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
The Urban Transport Group is bringing together the former boss of Nexus (the public body which operates the Tyne and Wear Metro) Mike Parker and its current Director General Tobyn Hughes for a special event to celebrate 40 years of the unique and pioneering light rail system.
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West Midlands transport chief is new Chair of Urban Transport Group
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Laura Shoaf, the Managing Director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), is the new Chair of the Urban Transport Group.
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Urban Transport Group launches new model to help predict bus use during and after COVID-19 pandemic
Monday, December 14, 2020
The Urban Transport Group has today launched the most sophisticated tool currently available for modelling bus use in city regions.
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City regions must be “at the heart” of Government’s Green Industrial Revolution
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
UTG launches ‘Urban Transport Next’ - a new series of lunchtime conversations on the future beyond COVID
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
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.
Transport Authorities respond to CPT bus funding proposals
Friday, October 30, 2020
Responding to the CPT’s document on bus recovery partnerships which was published today, Urban Transport Group Director, Jonathan Bray said:
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