How do we create a sustainably funded transport system to support thriving places?

The transport sector is moving away from an emergency response, adjusting to the post-pandemic new normal. With travel and work patterns changed, we must focus on how to deliver an integrated, sustainable and affordable transport network that can support local economies and thriving places in the post pandemic world, at a time of ever-increasing demands on the public purse.  

With various major transport policy documents in development, as well as the emergence of new devolution deals, which feature transport powers and funding at their core, there are significant changes set to take place in the day-to-day operations of the UK’s transport network. 

The transport sector is facing various major challenges that continue to impact users, transport authorities and operators:

• Funding: Transport authorities have had to operate under short term funding deals and competitive funding pot allocations for a considerable time. This has hampered long term planning and integration of services, drained resources and seen stakeholders operate in effectively a ‘crisis mode’.  We have undertaken research on these funding challenges, including taking an in-depth look at the implications of an excessive reliance on competition funding for urban transport projects.

• Trust: With ongoing disruptions and service reductions affecting transport networks, building trust and growing patronage is an ever-increasing challenge. To enable everyone to choose sustainable transport options, it must fit their needs, be reliable, easy to understand, comfortable, safe and accessible. We have previously investigated the challenges and opportunities of delivering smart ticketing, as well as improving bus travel experiences, amongst many other reports on the reliability, accessibility and safety of public transport.

• Green networks: Transport has a vital role to play in cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality. There is also a pressing need to improve the resilience of networks to extremes of weather, including opportunities to integrate green and blue infrastructure and support biodiversity. There is a need for a more cohesive approach to deliver a just and timely transition to net zero. We have explored the challenge of decarbonising urban vehicles, making connections between transport, energy and the built environment, as well as the role of freight in decarbonising city regions.

• Social value: In order to realise the social benefits of transport in developing strong and prosperous communities, the transport options available to users should strive to reflect the needs of the diverse communities that they serve, fulfilling what can be described as ‘the Four A’s’ of inclusion: availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability.  We have previously examined the human dimension of the decarbonisation agenda through Equitable Future Mobility, balancing competing demands for street space and exploring the role that transport can play in shaping sustainable communities.   

In order to further explore and address these challenges, the Urban Transport Group has developed four core missions, which will be underpinned by extensive policy asks for a Government to deliver.