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
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:
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:
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.
Document:
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:
UK Transport Governance - an introduction
October, 2020
Read our updated briefing to find out more about how transport is governed in the UK.
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
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:
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:
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.
Pages
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:
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:
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.
Document:
Topic:
How the transport sector works: a guide for health professionals
August, 2018
An introductory guide to the transport sector for health professionals seeking to collaborate with transport colleagues within local authorities and Combined Authorities. The guide is intended to provide a starting point for joint working. Note that a companion guide 'How the health sector works: a guide for transport professionals' has also been produced.
Document:
Topic:
Pages
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.
Topic:
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.
Topic:
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.
Topic:
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.
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.
Active Travel: Solutions for changing cities
June, 2018
Over the last decade promoting active travel has moved from the fringes of urban transport policy to a much more central role in the planning of cities and their transport networks. This is because the promotion of active travel, and the creation of places and streetscapes where people want to walk and cycle, is such a good fit with where cities that are going places want to be.
In this report we take a detailed look at how active travel schemes can transform cities for the better – from Bristol to Inverness and from post-industrial Northern cities to the heart of the City of London.
Topic:
Pages
Legalising rental e-scooter trials
June, 2020
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
Budget representations 2020
February, 2020
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Topic:
Automated Vehicles: Passenger services and public transport
February, 2020
Consulting body:
Law Commission
Topic:
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
Document:
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:
Principles for the Rail Review
January, 2019
Our response to the Williams Rail Review, which was established to recommend the most appropriate organisational and commercial frameworks to support the delivery of the government’s vision for the railway. Here, we outline the key principles which should underpin rail reform.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Active Travel Inquiry
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Topic:
Local roads funding and governance
October, 2018
Our response to the Transport Committee Inquiry into the condition of local roads, their funding and governance. We suggest four actions for government to enable local roads to be bought up to the required standard and be future-ready.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Document:
Topic:
Pages
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.
Topic:
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.
Topic:
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.
Topic:
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:
Topic:
Tram and light rail authorities respond to Government statement on further funding support
Thursday, October 22, 2020
The Urban Transport Group (which represents the transport authorities responsible for tram and light rail systems in the Sheffield City Region, Tyne and Wear, Greater Manchester, Nottingham and the West Midlands) has today welcomed the Government’s announcement of further COVID19 funding support
Topic:
Report paints stark picture for future of bus and tram services without continued Government COVID-19 support
Thursday, September 24, 2020
- Paper suggests “rapid and deep cut” in bus services if COVID-19 financial backing were to be withdrawn prematurely
Topic:
City regions say Government’s decision to end franchising brings ‘greater stability’ to rail sector
Monday, September 21, 2020
The Urban Transport Group, the UK’s network of city region transport authorities, has today welcomed the announcement by Government that it will end the current rail franchising model and replace it with new ‘recovery’ contracts.
Topic:
Empower urban transport authorities to build back better from COVID-19, urges report
Friday, September 18, 2020
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.