Urban Transport Group

Today we held the last session of our second cohort of the Urban Transport Group leadership programme in Birmingham. The focus was on facing the future with excellent personal insights from Jamie O'Hara of Strat-edgy. thanks again to all the cohort for being so engaged throughout the programme! Iain Smith (he / him) thanks again for facilitating.

"The King’s Speech sends a strong signal of intent that this Government is serious about transforming our transport sector." Our full response to the King's Speech 👑 🗣

👑 What a King's Speech. Key transport takeaways: 🔴 A new buses bill will be introduced to allow local leaders to take control of their local bus services [Better Buses Bill] 🚍 🔴 Legislation to improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership [Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, Rail Reform Bill]. 🚉 🔴 Devolution is here to stay, with a clear commitment to continue the progress made on devolution across England, with new powers to Mayor's and Combined Authorities. 🏙 The speech sends a strong signal of intent that this Government is serious about transforming our transport sector.   It has been clear for a while that rail services need reform, so it is encouraging that the Government is moving ahead with the creation of Great British Railways. On buses, local leaders will be given greater powers over bus services - something we have long called for along with the LGA. See our joint report here: https://lnkd.in/eGYjA7Aq   When taken together, along with the recognition that greater devolution can herald positive change for local communities, these new Bills could lead to big improvements in transport.   As city regions that deliver transport services for millions of people day in, day out, we stand ready to work with the new Government to help realise their ambitions. 👏 #PublicTransport Urban Transport Group

We're delighted that Mayor Steve Rotheram will be joining us in-conversation on 5 September. Since first becoming Mayor of Liverpool City Region in 2017, he has focused on putting the public at the heart of public transport. Join the Mayor for a special, free conversation where he’ll discuss his bold vision for transport.

It’s been a busy few days at the Department for Transport! Our Policy Advisor Monta Drozdova looks at the new Ministerial team and their transport priorities in this new blog...

Reforming bus services and creating Great British Railways are the key transport priorities that city regions are ready to support. Ahead of the King’s Speech, we've written to the Prime Minister to highlight transport's role in kickstarting economic growth. Read the letter 👇

Since becoming Mayor in 2017, Steve Rotheram has focused on putting the 'public' at the heart of public transport. We're delighted he'll be joining us - on 5 June - to discuss his vision for transport in the Liverpool City Region. ⬇ Register to attend for free ⬇

We're delighted that Mayor Steve Rotheram will be joining us for a special conversation on all things transport in Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Register for the free online event 👇

A decade after Greater Manchester agreed its first devolution deal, there are now 22 devo deals across England, covering around 2/3 of the nation’s population. But what transport powers are featured in the different levels of devo deals? 🚍 🚆 ✊ This new blog from our Policy Advisor Monta Drozdova explains.

City regions see transport not just as a means to an end, but as an investment in place-making. It is thanks to the devolved powers and funds that they can bring this place-led vision to life, writes Jason Prince for Passenger Transport magazine.