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Joined up transport
Hello Supporter
You may remember back at the start of the year we wrote to you about the Government's plans to introduce an Integrated National Transport Strategy which will set the direction for how transport should be designed, built and operated in England over the next ten years.
That email invited you to submit your priorities for a joined up, sustainable transport network to the Government as part of its 'call for ideas'. We also submitted our own response, which highlighted that the Strategy should prioritise things like:
- Simple, affordable tickets, including multi-modal tickets, with a best-price guarantee so you know there’s not a better deal hiding somewhere
- Better information at bus stops: up-to-date timetables and real-time information screens
- Safe cycling routes and secure cycle parking where we need it
- More car clubs and opportunities for car-sharing, so we can use cars when we need to without them being the default
- Rail stations for more communities, which are accessible to everyone.
We've been working hard all year to keep influencing the Strategy and have just submitted our evidence to the Transport Select Committee, the all-party group of MPs who advise the Government on transport policy. The Committee is currently looking at how the Government can provide more 'joined-up journeys' - this work will feed into the Integrated National Transport Strategy.
We said in our submission that a fully integrated transport system should allow people to make point-to-point journeys simply, seamlessly and safely using the most appropriate and most sustainable transport available.
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Greater Manchester's Bee Network is a great example of an integrated public transport network. It combines the city's bus and tram services - and soon local rail services - into a single network with a unified payment system, making it easier to switch between modes of transport. Contactless payments make it easy and cheap to travel and fares have been kept low. The new network has increased reliability and punctuality and now carries more than 4.5 million passengers a week.
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Urban vs suburban vs rural
Of course, integration looks different depending on geography. We told the Committee that urban integration requires a focus on multimodal ticketing, capacity, and reliable frequency, whereas suburban is more likely to include park-and-ride, last-mile bus links and cycling access to rail.
Rural areas need better coordination between scheduled buses, demand-responsive services and rail, with digital ticketing and real-time information where possible to bring simplicity and certainty for passengers.
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Nottingham used the powers enabled by the Transport Act 2000, to introduce a Workplace Parking Levy to fund its public transport network. The Levy has brought over £1 billion of direct reinvestment which has been used to fund an extension of the tram network, electric buses and integrated ticketing. Public satisfaction with transport in the city has risen steadily and, with safe walking from the railway station to buses, trams and shared cycles, it feels like somewhere designed with people in mind.
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Why does it matter?
In places where transport is fully integrated people are less likely to drive because there are easier, cheaper options available. The benefits of fewer cars on the roads and more people using public transport and active travel include:
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In Switzerland, national coordination ensures every train and bus meets on a clock-face pattern, backed by consistent national branding and ticketing. Moreover, there is one ticket for all modes of transport within the system.
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With the final Integrated National Transport Strategy likely to be published before the end of the year, we'll be crossing our fingers that our suggestions - and yours - make it into the final document. And we will stay vigilant to make sure the Strategy is implemented and scrutinised properly.
Until next time
Silviya
Silviya Barrett, Director of Policy and Campaigns
Campaign for Better Transport
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