INSIGHT

6 SEP 2017

DESIGNING FOR RESILIENCE NEEDS A STRONGER SOCIAL DIMENSION

Securing a resilient road crossing of the Forth has been a political tightrope for 25 years so there are big celebrations about the opening of the iconic new Queensferry Crossing. The opening of the new bridge to traffic will provide

6 SEP 2017

NORTH OF ENGLAND TRANSPORT AWARDS 2017 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The Shortlist for the 2017 North of England Transport Awards has been announced.

We are delighted to say that we have  once again received an overwhelming number of entries for this year's awards from right across the North of England.

4 SEP 2017

SAVING THE RAIL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

When not just one project, but a whole programme runs late and way beyond budget, there is only one option: blow the whistle and have a stand-still period. The Secretary of State was right to be shrill in the case

24 AUG 2017

THE NORTH/SOUTH DIVIDE?

There has been a lot of comment in the press over recent announcements from the Department of Transport. Firstly, and positively, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling confirmed the HS2 Phase 2b routes from Crewe to Manchester, and from the West

21 AUG 2017

WHAT CAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT DO TO LIFT ITS POOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE PERCEPTION?

For the third consecutive year of our annual report on customer service and experience, public transport operators have come out as providing the worst customer experience.

Nearly four in 10 (38%) respondents cited public transport & train operators as one of

14 AUG 2017

RAIL PASSENGER COMPLAINTS: GETTING IT RIGHT

How a train company handles their contact with passengers when things can go wrong can cement their view of the company. This applies to how they handle complaints. Handling complaints well can inspire trust. Most passengers are pragmatic and accept

9 AUG 2017

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY

So, the age of the internal combustion engine is finally coming to a close: the game is up for diesel and petrol vehicles on British roads.

That's what the Government's new strategy for combatting air pollution would have you believe at

31 JUL 2017

UNITY IS THE ONLY REAL WAY FORWARD

The recent announcements from Chris Grayling on Crossrail 2 and rail electrification seem to have driven a divide between the North and South of England but if any investment is to be secured then unity needs to be the way

26 JUL 2017

27,000 RAIL PASSENGERS HAVE THEIR SAY

Rail passengers in London and the South East and Scotland are more satisfied with
their railway journeys after a long period of patchy performance.

Transport Focus's has just published the latest National Rail Passenger Survey which measured satisfaction of more than

21 JUL 2017

NATIONAL TRANSPORT AWARDS SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The Shortlist for the 2017 National Transport Awards has been announced.

We are delighted to say that we have received over 330 entries for this year's awards from right across the UK.

21 JUL 2017

PRICING FOR PROSPERITY

It is over 200 years since road pricing was first suggested but there are only three significant schemes in operation: London, Singapore & Stockholm. All are ongoing and popular, even though they cover only a small % of the city

18 JUL 2017

A HEATHROW THAT MEETS ITS TARGETS

At last an agreement has been reached that will allow Elizabeth line (Crossrail) services to reach Heathrow's Terminal 5 from December 2019. The agreement the airport has reached with DfT and TfL will see two Elizabeth line trains an hour

14 JUL 2017

WHY SHOULD ROADS BE FREE TO USE AT THE POINT OF USE?

Why should roads be free to use at the point of use? We don't expect to use airports or railways without paying for them, but when we're on the roads we forget the cost of building and maintaining them –

10 JUL 2017

THE HARDEST FUTURE TRANSPORT STRATEGY TO DELIVER MIGHT JUST BE BUSINESS AS USUAL

When things don't go to plan it is time for a new strategy. The realities of new technology, changing demography, rising fiscal stress, and evolving social attitudes are that most UK transport strategies need a fairly fundamental revamp. To create

5 JUL 2017

THE BRUTAL SIMPLICITY OF DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

These are revolutionary times. The digital technology revolution is happening at break-neck speed, made possible only because those leading the charge are the millennial generation that grew up in a world mediated by mobile software systems, behind which the physical

3 JUL 2017

CHANGING THE FACE OF ROADS DELIVERY

It's just over two years since Highways England came into being and we are making good progress, delivering what we committed to in our delivery plan and making our contribution towards growing the country's economy.

We continue to focus on our

28 JUN 2017

THE NIC FINDS ITS VOICE

This was the week the NIC demonstrated it will be no docile pet of government, and unafraid to use its bark – and if necessary bite – to hold Ministers to account on infrastructure planning and delivery.

Coming after a Queen's

22 JUN 2017

REACTION TO TRANSPORT IN QUEEN'S SPEECH

Industry figures comment transport within the Queen's Speech 

21 JUN 2017

"MAYOR'S TRANSPORT STRATEGY A BREATH OF FRESH AIR”

The Mayor's Transport strategy is a breath of fresh air-and not just in a metaphorical way. It is visionary and robust. It gets the balance right between enticing Londoners to continue the shift away from car travel to more sustainable

19 JUN 2017

CONGESTION IS NOT JUST A DRAG ON THE ECONOMY: IT KILLS.

The Government's new plan sidesteps charging in clean air zones and, by focusing on emissions per vehicle rather than per passenger, proposes targeting vehicles in reverse order of the pollution they cause.

16 JUN 2017

EXCEPTIONAL PROJECTS RECOGNISED AT SCOTTISH TRANSPORT AWARDS 2018

The best of Scotland's transport industry were honoured last night at the 15th Annual Scottish Transport Awards, with 370 industry professionals in attendance. Hosted by writer, presenter and actor Sanjeev Kohli, the ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel

7 JUN 2017

INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING MUST BE SEPARATED FROM ELECTIONEERING

The publication of general election manifestos naturally had us all poring over their details hunting for mentions of our pet projects. This is understandable insofar as big schemes like Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail have been pitched against one

5 JUN 2017

IMPLICATIONS OF BREXIT MUST BE THOUGHT THROUGH

The need to consider the implications of Brexit for the transport sector will be one of the first issues the new Secretary of State must get to grips with.

Over the last few weeks, DfT officials will have prepared for all

30 MAY 2017

TRANSPORT AND THE ELECTION: MOVING BEYOND 'ONE BIG PROJECT AT A TIME

One of the main questions I've been asked this past week is what the party manifestos mean for the next generation of major transport infrastructure schemes, and for Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail in particular.

Northern Powerhouse Rail has so

22 MAY 2017

TRANSPORT MATTERS IN THE GENERAL ELECTION

In a Brexit-dominated election, issues like transport will struggle to get noticed. But the next Government of whatever shape will face a number of transport challenges which can't be ducked or ignored.

The first is air pollution: how to clean up

15 MAY 2017

TRANSPORT AND THE ELECTION: WHAT IS MAYISM?

What will the election mean for Transport? 

With the election approaching and a Conservative victory widely predicted, it is a good time to wonder what a popular mandate for "Mayism", unfettered by a slender Commons majority, might mean for transport...

8 MAY 2017

QUITTING EUROPE WILL LEAVE A HOLE IN UK PLANNING

It's not widely appreciated how far Europe contributes to UK infrastructure planning and funding, but it will be necessary to create a structure to replace it by the time the UK leaves the EU.

For the next two years, the big

2 MAY 2017

WANTED: A BOLD RESPONSE TO AIR QUALITY THREAT

The delay to the Government's response to the High Court ruling on air quality is a pity. Though the official line is that it has been delayed because of the election, it is a missed opportunity for the Government to

26 APR 2017

UK RAIL SUMMIT POSTPONED

The UK Rail Summit due to take place on 4th May is being rescheduled due to pre-election purdah.

An annoucement on the new date will be made in due course.

14 APR 2017

IMPROVING AIR QUALITY: WHAT’S THE PLAN?

DEFRA is due this month to publish its new Air Quality Plan. Government has already lost two court cases on this issue, so the pressure is on.

Concern over air quality is no longer just the preserve of environmental groups and

10 APR 2017

A BILL TO PREPARE FOR A NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DAWN

The Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill seeks to prepare the ground for a future of driverless cars and electric vehicles as well as protecting pilots from the misuse of laser pointers, says John Hayes

Winston Churchill wrote that "the future is

6 APR 2017

2017 SCOTTISH TRANSPORT AWARDS SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The Shortlist for the 2017 Scottish Transport Awards has been announced and is available to download here.

6 APR 2017

TRANSPORT TIMES LAUNCHES THE SCOTTISH TRANSPORT SUMMIT

In association with Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government, Transport Times has launched the Scottish Transport Summit which will be held alongside the Scottish Transport Awards on 15th June in Glasgow.

The aim of the Summit is to bring together key decision-makers, practitioners and thinkers

31 MAR 2017

FRESH THINKING CAN START A VIRTUOUS CIRCLE

Local Enterprise Partnerships have a big task on their hands. The last government gave them responsibility for distributing the Local Growth Fund, which brought together a number of funding streams from several Whitehall departments – much of it from transport

27 MAR 2017

TRANSPORT KNOWLEDGE HUB

Greener Journeys is pleased to be a sponsor of the Transport Knowledge Hub, which launches today at the LEP Annual Conference at the QEII in Westminster.

Transport is central to unlocking growth, which is why transport infrastructure investment accounts for such

20 MAR 2017

THE RAIL INDUSTRY MUST REDISCOVER INNOVATION

Rail privatisation led to an influx of new ideas. But the pace of progress has slowed. A return of the pioneering spirit is needed to meet the challenges the industry faces.

What is the future of transport? Is it Elon Musk's

13 MAR 2017

GIVE COMMUNITIES A CHANCE TO LEAD SERVICES

Current governance structures allow connectivity problems to be passed around rather than solved. Reforms to allow communities to take more control are overdue.

Connectivity is a widely stated goal, but not everyone is clear what connection they want. Electronic broadband connectivity

8 MAR 2017

BUDGET GIVES COUNCILS CHANCE TO BID FOR £690M CONGESTION-BUSTING FUND

A £690m competitive fund for tackling congestion was a surprise but welcome announcement in chancellor Philip Hammond's first Budget today.

The fund was one of a number of allocations from the £23bn National Productivity Investment Fund set up in last year's

6 MAR 2017

THE UNWRITTEN RULES THAT UNDERMINE RAIL EFFICIENCY

An incremental approach holds sway in investment decisions when a bolder approach such as total route modernisation would allow improvements to be introduced faster and more cost-effectively.

Like it or not, the rail sector is going to have to use the

3 MAR 2017

INSPIRING TRANSPORT PROJECTS REWARDED AT LONDON TRANSPORT AWARDS CEREMONY

The best of London's transport industry were honoured last night at the 14th Annual London Transport Awards with 400 industry professionals in attendance. Hosted by Channel 4 News Presenter Cathy Newman the ceremony was held at the Park Plaza Riverbank

27 FEB 2017

CONGESTION REMAINS A PERVASIVE THREAT

The third UK Bus Summit earlier this month wavered between optimism and pessimism. There was confidence that features such as free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, real-time information and better-appointed interiors, together with bus priority measures, have the potential to attract new

20 FEB 2017

MAKING THE ROAD NETWORK WORK FOR USERS

Research from Transport Focus discovered that road users accept that disruption is unavoidable if improvements are to be made to the road network – but only up to a point.

Is there a typical user on the strategic road network? Probably

13 FEB 2017

WANTED: A WAY TO MANAGE GROWTH IN FREIGHT TRAFFIC

Traffic is rising fastest among lorries and vans rather than private cars, a result of retail and consumer trends. The challenge is to limit the increase without harming productivity.

Road traffic just keeps on growing, just like in the cheap oil

9 FEB 2017

CONGESTION REMAINS KEY CONCERN FOR BUS SERVICES

Progress of the Bus Services Bill has been slower than expected, but the Government is committed to it becoming law before the mayoral elections in May, bus minister Andrew Jones told the third UK Bus Summit today.

But the Government would

6 FEB 2017

PARTNERSHIP: THE ROUTE TO A THRIVING INDUSTRY

Buses are England's most used form of public transport, accounting for over 4.5 billion passenger journeys a year. Buses support our economy and connect our communities to the workplace, as well as to vital public services such as healthcare and

30 JAN 2017

CONGESTION CHARGE OR CONNECTED CARS?

The London Assembly transport commitee's dramatic intervention last week looked set to reignite the congestion charging debate.

Congestion has been rising again on the streets of the capital, fuelled by increasing numbers of delivery vans and private hire vehicles, and reallocation

23 JAN 2017

SERVICES THAT VALUE THE CUSTOMER

Transport for London is addressing demands from users for buses that are greener, more reliable, affordable and convenient. 

London's bus network is crucial to how our capital city functions. It carries almost 2.4 billion passengers a year – more than all the

16 JAN 2017

BETTER LINKS ARE NEEDED BETWEEN NETWORKS

Planning for the UK's long-term growth and prosperity will need an integrated approach to infrastructure, connecting railways with roads, ports, airports and freight depots

By setting out its preferred route for the second phase of HS2 earlier this month, the Government

19 DEC 2016

FOR NETWORK RAIL, IT WILL BE AN ORANGE CHRISTMAS

Engineering work over the holidays is vital to accomplish over £100m of improvements under the Railway Upgrade Plan, addressing capacity issues and supporting economic growth

For most people, Christmas is a time to be spent with family and friends; a welcome

12 DEC 2016

SMART MOTORWAYS ARE KEEPING PEOPLE MOVING

The introduction of smart motorways is the biggest upgrade to motorway capacity in a generation, Jim O'Sullivan describes how Highways England is working to improve driver's knowledge and awareness of them

When the first motorway opened almost 60 years ago near

8 DEC 2016

NORTH OF ENGLAND TRANSPORT AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The people making a real difference to transport across Northern England were recognised at the inaugural North of England Transport Awards at the Midland Hotel in Manchester last night. Hosted by BBC Breakfast Steph McGovern, the awards attracted over 350

7 DEC 2016

‘GENUINE COMMITMENT’ TO NORTHERN POWERHOUSE - GRAYLING

All the UK's major cities should have smart pay as you go ticketing within the next two years, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told today's North of England Transport Summit. "There is no reason why only London should have smart ticketing,"

28 NOV 2016

LET RAILFREIGHT PLAY TO ITS STRENGTHS

A new grant regime designed to reflect the environmental benefits of moving freight by rail could be a stimulus to the sector that would pay for itself

When you lose 78% of your prime market in a single year, you have

24 NOV 2016

CHANCELLOR PRIORITISES INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

Chancellor Philip Hammond said he faced in his autumn statement the challenge of resolving how to protect the recovery and build on the economy's strengths, while at the same time responding to warnings of a difficult period ahead due to

21 NOV 2016

PRESS RESET TO STEADY THE ECONOMY

One of Philip Hammond's first pronouncements on being made Chancellor of the Exchequer in July was to signal that he was open to a "reset" of the economy if post EU referendum conditions demanded it.

Sterling has plummeted since the Brexit

14 NOV 2016

TRANSPORT MUST EMBRACE A DIGITAL FUTURE

If transport operators can use the potential of technology to forge closer relationships with customers, investment will follow

How can transport attract the investment it needs to provide smart, integrated efficient services? Smart networked places are growing rapidly across the world. 

7 NOV 2016

A CALL FOR NEW IDEAS ON FUNDING BETTER ROADS

New technology, new vehicles and competition for space demand fresh thinking on provision of roads. The 2017 Wolfson Economics Prize will award £250,000 to the best proposal.

What kind of vehicle will we use in 2030? And what kind of road

28 OCT 2016

SMARTER AND GREENER CARS WILL TRANSFORM TRAVEL

Changes on a scale not seen for a century are afoot, if we are ready to grasp the opportunities offered.

A century ago, Henry Ford's Model T heralded a new era of transport. Ford's vision was to "democratise the automobile". 

He wanted

25 OCT 2016

GOVERNMENT GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO HEATHROW

The long-awaited Government decision to back a third runway at Heathrow finally arrived as expected this morning. The cabinet committee charged with making a decision followed the recommendations of the Airports Commission from 18 months ago, stipulating that expansion must

24 OCT 2016

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS BUSES PIVOTAL TO SOCIETY

In recent years Greener Journeys has built up an extensive suite of evidence on the considerable economic value that bus services provide to their communities and the UK as a whole.

But policy cannot be about economic value alone. Policy must

17 OCT 2016

CAN A FRAGMENTED RAILWAY SUPPORT PROSPERITY?

The Transport Select Committee is conducting five interrelated inquiries into the future of rail with a view to identifying ways to improve capacity, connectivity, affordability and reliability

With the oldest railway system in the world, the UK has a long and

14 OCT 2016

INSPIRING TRANSPORT PROJECTS REWARDED AT 16TH ANNUAL NATIONAL TRANSPORT AWARDS

The people making a real difference to transport across the UK were recognised at the prestigious National Transport Awards at the Westminster Park Plaza in London last night. Hosted by comedian Hugh Dennis, the awards attracted over 700 senior transport

12 OCT 2016

GRAYLING: ‘A CRUNCH POINT IS APPROACHING’

"We need HS2 more than ever," said Transport Secretary Chris Grayling "for the capacity it will bring, the space it will create elsewhere on our transport network, the boost it will give to the economy and the jobs it will

12 OCT 2016

READY TO DELIVER HS2

Mr Kirby said that as he prepares to move to a new post at Rolls-Royce, his successor would have the job of managing the transition from planning to construction. "The organisation stands ready to deliver HS2," he said.

As an engineer,

9 OCT 2016

RETHINK NETWORK PLANNING TO REVIVE DEMAND

Public transport services are often inconvenient, unreliable and unresponsive to local needs. A serious analytical approach can create rational and effective networks instead. 

Rail nationalisation is back on the political agenda. How firmly it's back depends on your view of Jeremy

3 OCT 2016

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY WILL SHAPE THE RAILWAY OF THE FUTURE

New signalling systems and technology such as traffic management could mean big capacity increases, but the entire industry needs to join forces to make the benefits a reality.

Digital technology has transformed our daily lives. Most notably, a smartphone in your

26 SEP 2016

RENATIONALISATION – NOT THE PANACEA IT MAY SEEM

The rail industry is a complex mix of public and private, and bringing franchises back into the public sector would not make as much difference as its backers claim

Rail has been getting a bad press through the summer. The dispute

21 SEP 2016

NORTH OF ENGLAND TRANSPORT AWARDS 2016 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

Having received over 120 entries for the inaugural 2016 North of England Transport Awards, the judges have made their decision on the final shortlists for 14 categories.

19 SEP 2016

STRONGER TRANSPORT LINKS WILL SHOW UK’S CONFIDENCE

Continuity and decisive action, with the interest of travellers centre stage, will be my watchwords.

After a summer of historic change for Britain and political change in Westminster, the August recess provided a welcome opportunity to focus on my new job. I

12 SEP 2016

AUTUMN HERALDS PIVOTAL CHOICES

After the hiatus of the summer recess, Parliament is returning to work, and the priorities of Theresa May's new administration are becoming clearer.

One thing that seems apparent is a determination to finally make a decision in the long-running controversy over

5 SEP 2016

A COORDINATED APPROACH TO PUT WOMEN ON THE FAST TRACK

Major transport infrastructure projects create the opportunity to change the game on gender balance in the UK with the support of women engineers from Europe.

Investment in new railways over the next decade will put UK engineering firms and their engineers

30 AUG 2016

VALUABLE SKILLS, LIFELONG KNOWLEDGE

Garry Pratt, senior project manager on London Underground's Four Lines Modernisation programme, started his career as an apprentice. Here's his story...

"It all started when I went to my local careers office during the six week holiday in 1998 after my

22 AUG 2016

CAR RESTRAINT IS NEEDED TO MEET CLIMATE TARGETS

Transport emissions are rising again, despite strong grassroots campaigning to change behaviour. The trend will only be reversed when it becomes more expensive and less convenient to drive. 

The recent progress report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) makes for

15 AUG 2016

WILL THE BUS SERVICES BILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Provisions to encourage partnership could allow targets to be agreed to address passengers' top ten priorities as identified by Transport Focus research.

Though the news is dominated by bigger political issues, something significant is happening in the transport world: legislation on

8 AUG 2016

HOW TRANSPORT APPRAISAL MISSES THE LOCAL REALITIES

Transport models often discount or ignore the local effects of a new transport project. But in many cases these can form a significant proportion of total demand.

It is a mistake to assume travel patterns are largely fixed, unchanged by infrastructure

1 AUG 2016

DEVOLVED POWERS WILL HELP THE REGIONS TO COMPETE

As we adjust to Britain's new status outside the European Union, we face challenges but also opportunities. But we do so from a position of strength, after six years in which the economy has been transformed, our deficit as a

25 JUL 2016

THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOT WAVER FROM ITS COMMITMENT TO THE NORTH

The logic behind the Northern Powerhouse remains compelling. Re-balancing the economy will be good for the UK as a whole.

If there's one thing that is certain in the wake of the EU referendum it's that there is going to be

21 JUL 2016

NATIONAL TRANSPORT AWARDS 2016 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

Having received over a record-breaking 385 entries for the 2016 National Transport Awards, the judges have made their decision on the final shortlists for the 19 categories.

18 JUL 2016

RUNWAY CAPACITY: IT’S TIME TO DECIDE

A decision on whether to accept the Airports Commission's recommendation on capacity in the South East has been postponed once again. The lack of a decision will only add to the eventual costs.

Almost exactly a year ago the Airports Commission published

11 JUL 2016

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY: THE KEY TO CAPACITY?

Britain urgently needs new rail capacity. The rail industry must be bold in its vision for the digital railway and install it on a busy main line, where its benefits would be most visible. Because the UK has the most

4 JUL 2016

POWERHOUSE ‘MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER’ FOLLOWING REFERENDUM RESULT SAY NORTHERN LEADERS

Industry leaders and politicians spoke with one voice at the launch of the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review in Liverpool on Thursday, endorsing continued momentum behind the North's plans for a cohesive programme of economic expansion.

Commissioned by Transport for the

27 JUN 2016

BREXIT VOTE MEANS UNCERTAINTY FOR TRANSPORT INVESTMENT, INDUSTRY LEADERS WARN

The referendum vote in favour of the UK leaving the European Union puts the economy, the nation and the continent into uncharted waters.

17 JUN 2016

THE SCOTTISH TRANSPORT AWARDS 2016 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The best of Scotland's transport industry were honoured last night at the 14th Annual Scottish Transport Awards, with 400 industry professionals in attendance. Hosted by comedian and presenter Fred MacAulay, the ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in

13 JUN 2016

DIVERSITY: THE SMART WAY TO ATTRACT FUTURE LEADERS

A more diverse workforce would benefit the whole rail industry, A concerted effort is needed to attract the new generation needed to build projects such as HS2.

Too often, it seems to me that the rail industry is stuck in the past.

31 MAY 2016

HOW TO BUILD TRUST? MAKE PASSENGERS FEEL VALUED

The latest Transport Focus research offers insight into how bus operators can build better relationships with their passengers, at a time when overall satisfaction has fallen on average.

Does it really matter if bus passengers trust the industry and local authorities to

23 MAY 2016

DELAYS AND COMPENSATION: ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Passengers' levels of satisfaction with rail fares and services vary widely, and information on claiming compensation is patchy. The Transport Select Committee will be looking into the issue. 

The UK has some of the highest railway season ticket prices in Europe. Many

16 MAY 2016

STAYING IN THE EU IS BEST FOR BRITAIN – AND TRANSPORT

Investment by international companies, liberalised markets making it easy to distribute goods, and influence over European laws are powerful reasons to remain in the EU.

In less than two months, Britain will go to the polls once again.

This time, it's not

9 MAY 2016

GIVE LEPS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO DO THE JOB

Local enterprise partnerships have the potential to play a pivotal role in stimulating economic growth as local devolution progresses. But crucial elements of the strategy are missing

Centralisation has for too long been choking off growth. There is a clear consensus

25 APR 2016

IN THE BUSES BILL DEBATE, DON’T FORGET SHARED GOALS

The fundamental principle of getting more people on buses and attracting them away from cars must not be lost in discussions about the best way to provide services.

With congestion estimated to cost the UK £33bn a year by 2030, operating sustainable

18 APR 2016

THE DIGITAL RAILWAY: A CASE OF WHEN, NOT IF

Thirty years ago, had you asked the board of British Rail for their vision of the railways in 2016, I don't know whether they would have predicted the huge passenger growth we've seen. However, I am certain they wouldn't have

14 APR 2016

REPORT ON UK TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT

Investment in transport infrastructure is higher on the political agenda than it has been for decades. The National Infrastructure Commission has been created to develop long-term plans and encourage political consensus. The Government has pressed ahead with plans for High

11 APR 2016

LET’S CREATE VIRTUOUS CIRCLES IN TRANSPORT FUNDING

In advance of tomorrow's UK Transport Infrastructure Summit, experts from KPMG set the scene by looking at key issues.

After decades of underinvestment, the UK has grasped the importance of infrastructure investment to our economic future. This government has big plans to

7 APR 2016

2016 SCOTTISH TRANSPORT AWARDS SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

Having received over 100 entries for the 2016 Scotland Transport Awards, the judges have made their decision on the final shortlists for 17 categories.

4 APR 2016

REVOLUTION IN THE NORTH

Rail North is set to become the franchising arm of Transport for the North. Director David Hoggarth tells Jeanette Bowden about the "transformational" changes about to be introduced across the northern rail network

Rail services across the North of England will

21 MAR 2016

GREATER DEVOLUTION - BUT SHAW AVOIDS MAJOR UPHEAVAL 

Published as the Chancellor completed delivery of his 2016 budget speech, the Shaw Review addressed questions of funding and organisational arrangements at Network Rail (disclaimer: Steer Davies Gleave acted as advisers to the Shaw Report Team).
It will be seen

17 MAR 2016

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLOR'S BUDGET - BCC

Business wanted a steady, workmanlike Budget, and that's what we got. The Chancellor listened to our calls to avoid higher business taxes and costs – and indeed moved to lower them in a number of areas. He has finally taken

17 MAR 2016

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLOR'S BUDGET - RAC

Motorists might be forgiven for heaving a sigh of relief yesterday after the Chancellor resisted the siren calls to hike fuel duty and limited the increase in insurance tax to a modest 0.5 %, and those who regularly cross the

17 MAR 2016

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLOR'S BUDGET - IPPR

With so little strategic planning for transport in the North for years, suddenly, like buses, three reports come along at once.

Transport for the North's spring update to the Northern Transport Strategy provides plenty more detail on its main priorities and

17 MAR 2016

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLOR'S BUDGET - ALSTOM

This Budget wasn't focussed on big giveaways, but it contained some clear and important commitments on transport.

At Alstom we warmly welcome the Chancellor using this opportunity to back both Crossrail 2 and HS3. These are important projects, supported by the

17 MAR 2016

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLOR'S BUDGET - LONDON FIRST

This was the week that the rookie National Infrastructure Commission earned its spurs. The Chancellor embraced the NIC's reports on Crossrail 2 and transport in the north, and so Andrew Adonis has succeeded in making more progress with government in

17 MAR 2016

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLOR'S BUDGET - STEER DAVIES GLEAVE

Transport investment continued to be blessed in the Spring 2016 budget, with development funds for Crossrail 2 and rail & highway schemes in the north. Both had just received the thumbs up from Lord Adonis' National Infrastructure Commission.

With £300m going

17 MAR 2016

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLOR'S BUDGET - CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER TRANSPORT

The most important transport announcement in the Budget was arguably what the Chancellor chose not to do - raise fuel tax. In so doing, he failed to make the cost of driving more representative of the costs in imposes, or

14 MAR 2016

WILL OSBORNE'S BUDGET KEEP BRITAIN MOVING?

The chancellor is due to address an unusually large number of transport issues in this week's Budget, from priorities for the north of England to the future of Network Rail, says Mike Indian

When George Osborne leaves 11 Downing Street on Budget

7 MAR 2016

THOROUGH PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

Britain has a long history of rejecting plans for major new infrastructure. Intensive work from the outset is helping to minimise the risk of projects failing, says Patrick McLoughlin

Nine months into the new parliament, and the Department for Transport is

4 MAR 2016

INSPIRING TRANSPORT PROJECTS REWARDED AT LONDON TRANSPORT AWARDS CEREMONY

The people and organisations that make a real difference to transport across London were recognised at the 13th annual London Transport Awards last night. The London Borough of Camden picked up the top award of the night for Transport Borough

29 FEB 2016

STRATEGY REVIEW RAISES AS MANY QUESTIONS AS IT ANSWERS

In January the Scottish Government published a "refresh" of the National Transport Strategy for Scotland. The big announcement was that the process had been more helpful in asking big questions than answering them. Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay

22 FEB 2016

SMART TICKETING MUST START WITH SIMPLICITY

London's ticket system evolved over many years. Expectations for rapid progress in the North must be tempered by the knowledge that there are numerous hurdles to cross

Londoners are stunned when they realise that other parts of the country don't have Oyster,

12 FEB 2016

BUSES BILL 'AIMS TO ATTRACT MORE PASSENGERS'

The overriding aim of the Buses Bill is to increase bus passenger numbers, transport minister Andrew Jones told yesterday's Transport Times UK Bus Summit 2016.

Mr Jones confirmed that the Bill, due to be introduced to Parliament in the near future,

5 FEB 2016

GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD FOR THE INDUSTRY

The Transport Times UK Bus Summit may only be in its second year, but it is already established as a key event in the transport calendar – and one the Department for Transport is delighted to support.

The bus industry today

1 FEB 2016

STUART ROSS - A TRIBUTE

Stuart Ross, Transport for London's Director of News, lost the bravest of battles with cancer on Friday 22 January. He was 42.

No words can really do justice to Stuart's contribution to London and making TfL a world-leading organisation. A deluge

25 JAN 2016

GREEN BUSES ARE GO

The UK is in the vanguard of the manufacture and adoption of green buses.

In the past decade there has been a green revolution in the UK bus market. Lower carbon, low emission Euro VI buses are running in most of

18 JAN 2016

CHALLENGES FOR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN 2016

2016 will be a year of great opportunity for transport infrastructure but it will also be a year of great challenges. If it fails to make the most of the opportunities then it risks the major investment and projects that

11 JAN 2016

WHAT’S THE BEST STRUCTURE FOR NETWORK RAIL?

How should we organise the railway so that it is safe, cost-efficient, innovative and ready to meet future challenges? 

Two days spent in Brussels talking to other European infrastructure managers has given me valuable insights into the parallel challenges facing our colleagues

21 DEC 2015

UNCERTAINTY SHROUDS THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR

There was much to be welcomed for transport in the spending review two weeks ago. But as 2015 draws to a close a great deal of uncertainty surrounds many areas of the sector.

First, the good news. The spending review reaffirmed

16 DEC 2015

LONDON TRANSPORT AWARDS 2016 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

Having received 100 entries for the 2016 awards, the judges have made their decision on the final shortlists for the 13 categories.

14 DEC 2015

WHEN DID THE GOVERNMENT DECIDE TO CHANGE ITS MIND ON AIRPORT EXPANSION?

A parliamentary question answered by Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill on 23 November reminded DUP MP Jim Shannon of Prime Minister David Cameron's pledge that a final decision on airport expansion would be made by the end of 2015. Little over

7 DEC 2015

WE ARE BUILDING A RAILWAY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Investment in rail offers the opportunity to revitalise civic pride and bring about a resurgence of interest in British engineering.

It is one of the most remarkable transport achievements of our age that in the 20 years since privatisation, the number

27 NOV 2015

TREASURY TAKES THE “USER PAYS” ROUTE

In this week's spending review the DfT copped the biggest percentage cut in non-capital (resource) expenditure (-37%), but became the biggest department for capital spending (its programme doubling from £6.1bn today to £12.4bn in 2020/21). In Treasury terms, this is

27 NOV 2015

RESOURCE GRANT CUT MEANS PAIN FOR TFL

This was a spending settlement to which Transport for London acquiesced, rather than agreed. Gain on its capital investment programme was accompanied by short-term pain, through falling resource grants, with battles on spending priorities post-2020 postponed for another day...

20 NOV 2015

WE NEED TO CAPITALISE ON OSBORNE'S MOMENTUM

The chancellor's enthusiasm for transport, which has led to the creation of the National Infrastructure Commission, presents a huge opportunity which the industry must grasp

There was widespread enthusiasm for George Osborne's announcement at last month's Conservative Party conference of the

16 NOV 2015

AN INTERVIEW WITH TRANSPORT FOR THE NORTH CHIEF EXECUTIVE DAVID BROWN

Arriving for my interview with David Brown in the offices of Transport for Greater Manchester, it seems apt that he has just travelled by rail from Liverpool and I have come from Leeds, as these cities are among those targeted

9 NOV 2015

IS LAX ENFORCEMENT MAKING ROADS LESS SAFE?

Deaths and injuries on the roads rose last year, reversing a long-term trend. With a lack of government targets for road safety, is the role of enforcement being overlooked?

The road safety charity Brake published a report in April which revealed

30 OCT 2015

A TRANSFORMATION FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS

The UK's bus companies are well on the way to complying with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, but even more can be done.

I have been bus minister for five months, and I wish to congratulate the bus sector

26 OCT 2015

WHY DOES THE BUS STRUGGLE TO GET A HEARING?

Debate about rail is focused on dealing with the pressures of success. The conversation about buses is more often about arresting decline. The bus lobby needs to find a stronger voice.

Nationalise! Privatise! Buy! Sell!

While debates swirl again around who controls, owns

19 OCT 2015

AN INSPIRED CHOICE FOR COMMISSION CHAIR

George Osborne continues to surprise with his audaciousness when it comes to transport infrastructure and devolution. In his Conservative Party Conference speech this week he made the bold announcement to devolve control of £26bn of business rates to local government.

9 OCT 2015

INSPIRING TRANSPORT PROJECTS REWARDED AT NATIONAL TRANSPORT AWARDS CEREMONY

The people making a real difference to transport across the UK were recognised at the prestigious National Transport Awards at the Westminster Park Plaza in London last night. Hosted by Rory Bremner, the awards attracted over 800 senior transport professionals

2 OCT 2015

DFT SHOULD SPELL OUT THE BENEFITS OF BUSES

New findings show that investment in bus infrastructure frequently exceeds expectations and provide a high level of benefits and extremely high value for money.

New research for Greener Journeys demonstrates a compelling case for the Department for Transport to issue Guidance

25 SEP 2015

ILL OMENS FOR RAIL’S NEXT FIVE-YEAR PLAN

Reclassification of the infrastructure owner as a public company has severely disrupted its investment plans. But there is no reason why this should be the case.

Network Rail is under siege. Lateness and budget overruns on high-profile projects are an embarrassment.

21 SEP 2015

LOOKING BACK ON A DECADE OF PROGRESS

Developments in transport – especially getting things built – can sometimes seem to move at such a glacial pace that you begin to question whether there's been any progress at all. So it's been instructive to look back over the

11 SEP 2015

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH

To mark our anniversary, this week we relaunch the Transport Times website. We have given it a fresh new look and it has been integrated with the Transport Times Events site to provide a seamless browsing experience.

You can browse