Policy

Our latest reports, briefings and consultation responses are listed below. Use the search or filter functions to discover specific policy documents.

You can also see our full list of policy topics via the link below.

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Report

A new deal for urban transport: for the pandemic and beyond

This short paper shows how urban transport authorities have been keeping the wheels of public transport turning during the pandemic, working together to meet the challenges of COVID-19, whilst delivering better transport for a green and just recovery from it.
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Briefing

Funding and delivering bus services during the pandemic and beyond

This document proposes a two stage approach to ensuring the most efficient use of public funding to provide the best possible bus service during the pandemic, whilst setting in place the foundations for reversing the decline in bus use that was taking place before the pandemic.

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Briefing

The key COVID-19 challenges for urban transport and the support we need from Government

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.

Read more about The key COVID-19 challenges for urban transport and the support we need from Government

Briefing

The transport challenges of the return to schools

The COVID-19 crisis has led to the capacity of public transport to be heavily constrained, creating formidable operational and financial challenges for transport authorities which will have a key role to play in supporting a return to schools in September. This briefing sets out the key challenges for transport authorities and our asks of central Government.

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Report

The Local Transport Lottery - The costs and inefficiencies of funding local transport through ad hoc competitions

This report takes an in-depth look at the implications of an excessive reliance on competition funding for urban transport projects.

The research shows how such a reliance impacts local authorities’ ability to deliver value for money and places pressure on authorities and their staff. 

Read more about The Local Transport Lottery - The costs and inefficiencies of funding local transport through ad hoc competitions

Briefing

Climate emergency declarations - briefing note

This document provides a summary of which authorities have declared a climate emergency and what targets they are committing to. It does not cover all authorities but focuses primarily in those in the city regions, with some additional key urban areas included for interest. This document represents a snapshot in December 2019, as authorities are continuing to declare climate emergencies and set targets.

Read more about Climate emergency declarations - briefing note

Report

How bus users spend their journey time

This research - conducted by transport consultancy SYSTRA on behalf of the Urban Transport Group - uncovers valuable insights into how passengers spend their time while travelling

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Report

Making the connections on climate: How city regions can join the dots between transport, energy and the built environment

This report draws together practical examples of the links that can be made on climate at the city region level between transport and energy, and between transport and the decarbonisation and adaptation of the built environment.
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Report

What next for urban transport?

This report - published to coincide with the 2019 Autumn Party Conferences - identifies four urban transport challenges and four solutions needed to overcome them.

It also details what transport authorities need from Government to bring about these changes. 

Read more about What next for urban transport?