BUS 2020 - A GREEN GROWTH AGENDA

17TH SEPTEMBER - 1ST OCTOBER 2013

OVERVIEW

Transport Times in conjunction with Greener Journeys is staging fringe events at all three main political party conferences which will focus on buses.  The events are free to attend but are by invite only, please contact Anna Pett ([email protected]) if you are interested in attending. The events are located outside the secure zone (with the exception of the Liberal Democrat fringe event). Refreshments will be provided at all of our fringe events.

Liberal Democrats

Tue 17 Sep, 07:30-08:30 Crowne Plaza, Shuna Room, Congress Road, Glasgow, G3 8QT (breakfast provided)

Speakers:

Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport; 
Prof David Begg (Chair), Chief Executive, Transport Times;
Giles Fearnley, Managing Director UK Bus, FirstGroup,
Claire Haigh, Chief Executive, Greener Journeys 

Labour 
Tues 24 Sep, 08:00-09:00 Holiday Inn, Ashdown 2, 137 King's Road, Brighton, BN1 2JF (breakfast provided)

Speakers:

Yvonne Fovargue MP, Shadow Local Transport Minister;
David Brown (Chair), Chief Executive, Merseytravel;
Claire Haigh, Chief Executive, Greener Journeys;
David Brown, Chief Executive, Go-Ahead Group

Conservative
Tues 1 Oct, 08:00-09:00 The Bridgewater Hall, Charles Hallé Room, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS (breakfast provided)

Speakers:

The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport (Invited);
Prof David Begg (Chair), Chief Executive, Transport Times; 
Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, Stagecoach Group;
Claire Haigh, Chief Executive, Greener Journeys

Buses are the backbone of the UK economy. Already, 2.5 million workers commute by bus every day and a further 1 million use them as a crucial back up. Bus commuters contribute £64 billion a year to the UK economy, and bus users make 1.4 billion shopping trips per year with an estimated spend of £27.2 billion. Over 50% of students over the age of 16 rely on the bus to get to their place of education. Our research shows that bus routes that are reliable, affordable, and accessible help the economy to grow and prosper.

In the Bus 2020 Manifesto, Greener Journeys sets out positive solutions which will harness the potential of the bus to generate growth and boost jobs. These fringe events will provide an invaluable forum to discuss the policies needed to bolster the potential of buses to drive forward economic growth across the country. In particular the discussions, and our proposals, will hinge around how the Government can encourage people to travel by bus and thereby stimulate economic growth; how the bus can be used more effectively to get people to work, thereby making the job market work more effectively; and how bus services can be made more accessible to young people and those on low incomes, thus supporting both social cohesion and economic renewal.

About Greener Journeys

Greener Journeys is a national campaign to boost bus and coach travel and encourage fewer car journeys. It aims to increase the value of bus and coach travel in stimulating economic growth, reducing congestion and CO2 emissions and enabling access to jobs, retail, leisure and vital services.  Launched in 2009, Greener Journeys is funded by Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead and Stagecoach on behalf of the wider industry and transport community. Major stakeholders are represented on the Greener Journeys Advisory Board including: Transport for London, RAC Foundation, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), Passenger Transport Executive Group (PTEG), and Campaign for Better Transport.