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
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.
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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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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.
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.
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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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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.
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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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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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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.
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Transport authorities and universities – how can we work more closely together?
August, 2018
Fostering greater collaboration between transport authorities and academic institutions could deliver benefits for both parties. This briefing note outlines some of the ways in which transport authorities and universities are already collaborating. It is hoped that by presenting different models for collaboration, and the successes that these have delivered, further partnerships can be fostered.
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Briefing on Bus Rapid Transit
May, 2018
Bus rapid transit systems - find out more about how they can speed the bus past the traffic jams in our updated briefing.
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Initial take on the 2017 Budget
November, 2017
This briefing provides an initial take on the 2017 Budget.
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Job access schemes - Briefing
March, 2017
Transport plays a major role in the decision making process about whether to apply for, accept or stay in employment. This briefing looks at job access schemes for supporting this decision making process and enabling people to overcome transport barriers to employment. It also considers how the core elements of these schemes can be secured, supported and extended.
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Bus Services Bill FAQs
January, 2017
Briefing on frequently asked questions on bus regulation.
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Multi-Operator ticket premia EXTERNAL 2016
January, 2017
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 October 2016 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 fare analysis 2016
January, 2017
This briefing provides a summary of bus fares from the main operators across Urban Transport Group member areas. Bus fare information was collected in October 2016 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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How public transport contributes to mental wellbeing
November, 2016
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Bus Operators backing regulation
June, 2016
A growing number of operators and public transport providers support bus regulation. This briefing contains quotes from them setting out why.
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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.
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Rail Cities UK: Our vision for their future
June, 2018
Significant rail expansion is the 'only viable option' to help UK cities achieve their ambitions on economic growth and meeting housing demand, whilst also creating attractive urban centres with less road traffic and better air quality.
This report sets out a vision of what a step change in rail provision could mean for passengers and cities - and the obstacles that stand in the way.
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White van cities: Questions, challenges and options on the growth of urban van traffic
April, 2018
Our report, White van cities: Questions, challenges and options on the growth of urban van traffic, shows how van traffic is the fastest growing sector of road traffic with growth forecast to continue.
However, the evidence on what is driving growth in van traffic is limited and under researched.
This report explores the scale and nature of the growth in van traffic and the impacts on city regions across a range of policy areas, each of which play a key role in determining whether our cities are the kinds of places that people want to live, work, invest and spend time in.
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Number crunch: Transport trends in the city regions
April, 2018
Our report, Number crunch: Transport trends in the city regions, identifies some of the most defining patterns of the past decade (and projected future trends) that are changing the face of the UK’s city regions, and the way that people travel within them.
Ageing urban populations, rapid bus passenger decline and huge growth in private hire vehicles are just some of the dramatic shifts taking place in UK cities.
The report draws on data from our unique, free and interactive online tool ‘Data Hub’, which allows users to generate bespoke analysis, graphics and charts of transport, economic and population data.
Banks, bytes and bikes: The transport priorities of the new economy
February, 2018
Our report, Banks, bytes and bikes: The transport priorities of the new economy, highlights how transport needs in urban areas are changing amid the growth of the so-called “flat white economy”.
It sets out how this new economy is already a major driver of the wider UK economy, and how business sectors such as communications, media and information increasingly favour urban locations with good quality of place, as well as good access on foot, by bike and by public transport.
The report challenges monolithic views of what business wants on transport in favour of a more nuanced perspective which recognises that there is a new economy with new perspectives on transport priorities.
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Urban Transport Review 2017
December, 2017
"A lot has changed in urban transport over the past year," writes Lilian Greenwood MP, and Chair of the Transport Select Committee, in the foreword to the Urban Transport Review 2017.
In collaboration with Passenger Transport magazine, this Review features an in depth interview with our Chair Tobyn Hughes, our Director Jonathan Bray shares his key issues for 2018, and we profile some of the most significant changes to transport during 2017.
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Taxi! Issues and Options for City Region Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Policy
December, 2017
Our new report, ‘Taxi! Issues and options for city region taxi and private hire vehicle policy’, sets out the far reaching implications for cities of ongoing transformational change and growth in the taxi and PHV sector.
The report also calls for a new approach to taxi and PHV policy to ensure a good service for users whilst also making sure the sector contributes to wider public policy goals around public safety, congestion reduction, economic inclusion and air quality.
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The Transformational Benefits of Investing in Regional Rail
October, 2017
Regional rail services carry more than three times the numbers of passengers than the much higher profile long distance (Inter-City) services. As the UK’s city regions increasingly develop their service sector economies and concentrate employment in city centres, rail enables large numbers of people to be moved efficiently and effectively into these ever more congested places.
With signs that central government is beginning to recognise the strength of these arguments, there is a need to translate them into something more tangible and practical by using evidence taken from case studies from around the UK rail network. By providing case studies that potentially have a resonance with other locations, this report aims to help these locations demonstrate the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of developing their own projects to stakeholders and funding and delivery partners.
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Policy Futures
September, 2017
Policy futures for urban transport sets out how, with more focused governance in place, the city regions are delivering major investment programmes including on public transport, highways and active travel, and smart ticketing. The report says that - with the right national policy framework - further and faster progress can be made, including:
- ensuring that the benefits of transformative technological change are maximised including new ways of paying for access to transport, connected and autonomous vehicles and data;
- that barriers between different sectors are broken down so that the benefits that transport can bring to achieving wider policy goals - in areas like health, employment and education - are fully realised.
The Scandinavian way to better public transport
August, 2017
‘The Scandinavian Way to Better Public Transport’ shows how transport authorities in three Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark and Norway) are using devolved powers to transform public transport for the better - and sets out the lessons that the UK could learn.
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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
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Health of the bus market
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
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Transport appraisal and modelling strategy: informing future investment decisions
October, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Transport (Scotland) Bill
September, 2018
Consulting body:
Scottish Parliament
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Bus Services Act Open data and accessible information
September, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Future of Mobility
September, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Last mile: a Call for Evidence on the opportunities available to deliver goods more sustainably
September, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Draft National Planning Policy Framework
May, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
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Major Road Network
March, 2018
UTG response to DfT consultation on Proposals for a Major Road Network
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
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Rail Infrastructure Investment Inquiry
January, 2018
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
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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.
Rail stations investment key to building back better after COVID-19
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
- New report shows essential role devolved authorities can play in station transformation
City regions respond to Government’s COVID-19 funding for urban public transport
Saturday, August 8, 2020
The Urban Transport Group, the UK’s network of city region transport authorities, has today responded to the Government’s package of financial support for urban public transport as it works to keep people moving through the COVID-19 crisis.
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Urban Transport Group responds to Government’s plans to boost walking and cycling
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
The Urban Transport Group has responded to the Government’s plans to overhaul walking and cycling in England.
Jonathan Bray, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:
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UTG responds to PM coronavirus statement
Friday, July 17, 2020
Urban Transport Group Director Jonathan Bray said:
Statement on the DfE Return to Schools Policy
Thursday, July 2, 2020
More funding support will be needed as part of collaborative approach to getting pupils safely to school.
Stephen Edwards, Chair of the Urban Transport Group, said:
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Urban Transport Group expands reach as Transport for Wales joins ranks
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
The Urban Transport Group is marking a major milestone today as Transport for Wales, the not-for-profit company driving forward the Welsh Government’s vision of a high quality, safe, integrated, affordable and accessible transport network, is joining the network as an Associate Member.
City regions welcome e-scooter trials but highlight need for safeguards
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
City region transport authorities have welcomed Government plans to bring forward trials of e-scooters to explore the role they might play in the future of urban transport and to inform future decisions around the legislative framework.
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Open letter from transport authorities to Minister on urgent need for restart funding
Friday, May 15, 2020
City region transport authorities have sent an open letter to the Transport Minister Baroness Vere on the urgent need to cover the gap for the city regions outside London on COVID-19.
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