Opportunity knocks: Your chance to shape the future of mass transit
Bridget Rosewell CBE, Chair of the Mass Transit Taskforce
The Mass Transit Taskforce was set up to identify practical ways to accelerate the development and delivery of mass transit schemes. Taskforce chair Bridget Rosewell CBE urges transport professionals to support the initiative by responding to the call for evidence
Mass transit has a critical role to play in the future of our towns and cities. Whether through light rail, tram, tram-train, metro-style systems or bus rapid transit, mass transit can move large numbers of people efficiently. Well-planned, it supports economic growth, unlocks housing and regeneration, reduces congestion, and improves air quality.
Across the UK we have already seen what successful mass transit schemes can achieve. Belfast's Glider bus rapid transit system saw a 70% increase in patronage on core routes within a year of opening. Greater Manchester's Metrolink network has supported employment growth and helped drive regeneration across key development areas. Yet despite these successes, schemes often take too long and cost too much to deliver.
That challenge is the reason the Government launched the Mass Transit Taskforce in May this year, which I am pleased to chair. Operating independently, the Taskforce has been asked to identify practical ways to accelerate the development and delivery of mass transit schemes while maintaining high standards of safety, accessibility and passenger experience.
Our focus is firmly on real-world solutions rather than theory. We will examine the entire lifecycle of mass transit projects, from building the strategic case and securing approvals through to procurement, construction, operations and long-term financial sustainability. We will pinpoint the barriers that create delays, increase costs and reduce confidence in delivery, and set out practical reforms to remove them.
The Taskforce brings together considerable expertise. Alongside myself are Richard de Cani of Arup, David Milner of Create Streets and Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group. We will draw on the knowledge and experience of a network of expert advisors, with secretariat support provided by the Urban Transport Group. The Taskforce is committed to producing practical recommendations that government and local authorities can act upon quickly.
But we cannot do this alone.
“This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of mass transit in the UK”
The most important stage of our work is now underway. Our call for evidence to gather insights from across the transport sector and beyond is currently live. If you have first-hand experience of planning, funding, designing, delivering and operating mass transit systems, we want to hear from you.
What stands in the way of success or causes unnecessary delays? Where have innovative approaches helped overcome barriers? Which reforms could unlock faster, more efficient delivery? Often, it is the people working directly on projects who best understand where improvements can be made.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of mass transit in the UK.
But the window for influence is closing fast. The call for evidence closes on 31 August, leaving only a short period to contribute these vital views, experiences and ideas.
If you have evidence, insight or practical experience to share, I strongly encourage you to take part. By working together, we can help ensure that mass transit projects move from ambition to delivery more quickly and effectively, benefiting passengers and communities across the UK.
The call for evidence can be accessed here: https://www.urbantransportgroup.org/mass-transit-taskforce-evidence
About the author
Bridget Rosewell CBE is Chair of the Mass Transit Taskforce. Bridget is an experienced director, policy maker and economist, with a track record in advising public and private sector clients on key strategic issues.