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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A Smoother Ride – Can capital investment deliver more efficient bus services? cover

Report

A Smoother Ride – Can capital investment deliver more efficient bus services?

This paper explores whether capital investment in bus can be used to make bus services more efficient. Using modelling, it shows that capital investment in zero emission buses and bus priority can indeed unlock efficiencies, and that these benefits can be multiplied by combining that investment with enhanced revenue funding support.
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A smoother ride - Reviewing the Bus Services Act 2017 to empower local areas - report cover

Report

A Smoother Ride - Reviewing the Bus Services Act 2017 to empower local areas

Buses are the lifeblood of the UK’s public transport network. However, despite their popularity and utility, bus services have been trapped in a spiral of decline, exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Six years on from the publication of the Bus Services Act 2017, and considering the vision and ambitions presented in the National Bus Strategy, this report sets out to review the provisions of the Act.
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Briefing

National Initiatives on Skills and Diversity for the Transport Sector

This resource brings together national initiatives on skills and diversity with relevance to the transport sector. This is the only such resource for the transport sector. It can help organisations looking to diversify their workforce, help to raise the profile of careers in transport to the next generation and support inclusion and wellbeing in the current transport workforce.

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Briefing

Ticket office closures: a UTG position paper

This paper sets out the Urban Transport Group's position on proposals to close ticket offices at railway stations. We are not opposed to improving the way that passenger needs are met by staffing provision at stations, however, we have significant concerns about the current proposals. These are in three areas – the consultation process; the impact on passenger experience; and the interaction with wider goals that city regions have for our people and places.
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Report cover

Report

Urban Public Transport Funding - Options for Reform

This report, produced by consultants Steer for the Urban Transport Group, explores the options for reforming local public transport funding.

The report also considers the implications of ending covid-related bus funding in April 2023, warning that bus services could be reduced and fares increased as a result.

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Dream ticket report cover

Report

Dream ticket? The challenges and opportunities of delivering smart ticketing in the city regions

There are multiple obstacles to giving public transport users in the city regions a London-style smart and simple ticketing system. This report suggests a new approach is needed, and recommends more leadership from Government, better resourcing of the transition, and more collaboration between all the key players.
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Future Streets report cover

Report

Future Streets: Challenges and opportunities

Streets are often the most contested spaces in any town or city. There are a large number and wide variety of calls on street space (at least 160 legitimate calls), and they simply can’t all be met. This report seeks to help local highway and strategic transport authorities rise to the challenge of better street and kerbside management.
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Briefing

Social inclusion

Transport has a vital role to play in connecting people to opportunities, improving quality of life and accelerating our transition to net zero emissions. This briefing explores the role of transport in supporting social inclusion.
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Briefing

Briefing on Light Rail

This briefing on Light Rail Systems answers some of the most frequently asked questions about this mode of transport, and presents the benefits that Light Rail can bring.

This updated briefing on Light Rail Systems answers some of the most frequently asked questions about this mode of transport, and presents the benefits that Light Rail can bring.

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Briefing

Bus Policy

This short read briefing looks at why buses matter and how bus policy works. It explains the significant challenges facing the sector, how city regions are backing the bus and what reforms of national bus policy could help the bus fulfil its potential.

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The Good Like report cover

Report

The Good Life: The role of transport in shaping a new and sustainable era for suburbs

We are a nation of suburbanites. However, the ubiquity of suburban living is often not reflected in transport policy. And there can be no decarbonisation of transport without specific measures to decarbonise transport in the suburbs. This report presents four foundations of suburbs for a new era – one which offers all suburbanites the promise of the ‘Good Life’ whilst addressing the climate crisis.
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Briefing

Briefing on the Transport Bill

A briefing on the Transport Bill announced as part of the Queen's Speech in May 2022, including what we know so far and what the Bill should contain to transform urban transport for the better.

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