Today is my first day as Director of the Urban Transport Group, a role that I am looking forward to with a mixture of both excitement and trepidation.

UTG has a successful history of bringing together transport authorities from across the UK. The organisation was established to help pool the knowledge and expertise of members, so that they can develop and deliver good urban public transport.

As a graduate from one of our members, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), I have seen first-hand the huge impact transport authorities have in the daily life of our local communities. In the next few months, we will see the first franchised yellow and black buses on the roads in Greater Manchester. This was one of my first projects while at TfGM and a great example of how city regions, working together with operators and Government, can bring real and positive change to our local areas.

I have also seen the expansion of Metrolink to Trafford Park, the building of new transport interchanges across the city region as well as a sea-change in active travel, with cycling and walking now receiving the focus and recognition it deserves.

This isn’t to say however, that there haven’t been challenges - with many of these challenges more pertinent than ever. As I look towards the future, I believe there are four broad areas that warrant further scrutiny so that collectively we can develop good local transport that supports thriving local communities.

Firstly, how do we create affordable and sustainably funded local transport networks for consumers, operators, transport authorities and Government alike? Secondly, how do we restore trust in our transport networks, so that all people (no matter their age, disability, race or other characteristics) have the confidence that they can get where they want, when they want, safely and comfortably? Thirdly, what change needs to happen to decarbonise our transport system, so that we can effectively meet our climate change commitments? And finally, how do we bring all this together to help increase the social value of our local areas, helping to create strong and connected places?

I believe UTG is well placed to help provide some of the answers to these difficult questions. My vision for the organisation is that UTG builds on its already solid reputation to become a policy exemplar in local and urban transport, using the experience and expertise of members to create sound policy propositions that can effect real change. Furthermore, I firmly believe UTG is a powerful convener within the industry, a conduit for positive and purposeful engagement with, for example, operators and Government, so that together, common cause can be found for the good of our local areas. And finally, I believe UTG has an important role in helping to define how good transport is fundamental in creating successful, vibrant local economies, which support thriving communities. 

So, as I alight at the next stop on my journey, I am truly excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I look forward to partners joining me on this journey over the coming months and years.

Jason Prince is Director at the Urban Transport Group

Click here to read his biography