Urban Transport Next

Urban Transport Next 11: Delivering a greener future

In this episode, we looked at how innovations in freight can make our city regions greener, fairer, healthier and more prosperous places. Our panel discussed how climate change, the Covid pandemic and the emergence of new technology have changed the freight sector over recent years, and what support is needed so that freight can help city regions and national Government to achieve their decarbonisation targets and wider public policy goals.

Our guests were Maggie Simpson, Director General of the Rail Freight Group and Clare Linton, Policy and Research Advisor at Urban Transport Group. They were interviewed by transport expert Stephen Joseph. 

Urban Transport Next 10: A new path for transport in Wales

In this episode, Lee Waters, Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change, was interviewed by Jonathan Bray, Director of the Urban Transport Group. Their conversation focused on how Wales is taking bold steps around transport in response to climate change. Lee was open about the challenges facing the country, particularly around road user changing and its plans for a default 20mph speed limit on residential roads, but also about the opportunities schemes like the South Wales Metro could deliver and the potential of active travel for modal shift and reducing emissions.

Urban Transport Next 09: Fully charged

In this episode, we looked at the potential of e-bikes in the city regions. Our panel discussed what's holding the UK back on e-bikes (compared to its neighbours in Europe), the potential climate and health benefits of e-bikes, and what more can be done to encourage people to 'try before they buy' and remove the scepticism around e-bikes. 

Our guests were Olga Anapryenka, Principal Consultant at Steer and a Co-Founder of the Women in Mobility UK network, and Roger Geffen, Policy Director at Cycling UK. They were interviewed by Phillip Darnton, Chairman of the Bicycle Association.

Urban Transport Next 08 - Play fair

In this episode, we discussed how children’s independence, health and mobility has been steadily eroded over decades of car dominance, with the central question of ‘how do we put children at the heart of transport planning?’

The conversation touched up how and why children’s mobility has changed over time, and the impact this had had on children’s lives; what does the data (or lack of) tell us about where, how and why children travel today; and which cities are leading the way on becoming truly child friendly.

Our guests were Tim Gill, a global advocate for children’s outdoor play and mobility, and Lucy Marstran, Technical Lead for Walking and Cycling at Metis Consultants. They were interviewed by Rebecca Fuller, Assistant Director at the Urban Transport Group.

Urban Transport Next 07: London Calling

In this episode, Jo Field (Founder and Chief Executive JFG Communications and President, Women in Transport) interviewed Andy Byford, Commissioner of Transport for London, about his experiences since stepping into one of the transport sector's biggest jobs in 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic. 

Jo explored how Andy has sought to steer his Transport for London team of 27 thousand direct employees, and another 60 thousand contracted employees through this difficult time. He talked about the need to bring people with you behind a shared vision and his ambition for the organisation to better reflect the communities it serves.

He discussed how London’s public transport can bounce back from its largest peacetime crisis and what TfL will need to do to support a green and just recovery for the capital from COVID-19.

Urban Transport Next 06: Leading Northern Ireland's public transport transformation

In this episode, we explored what has been behind Northern Ireland's transformation in public transport which, pre-pandemic, saw record passenger numbers on the network and - uniquely among the four nations of the UK -  growth in bus use. The conversation touched on the success of the Glider Bus Rapid Transit system, the modernised rail network and what the future holds for public transport in the wake of COVID-19.

Our guest was Chris Conway, CEO of Translink Group (Northern Ireland's main public transport provider) who was interviewed by Wendy Austin MBE (Journalist, podcaster, presenter and moderator).

Urban Transport Next 05: Sharing is caring

In this episode, we discussed how shared mobility can play a bigger role in UK transport policy. The conversation touched on how shared mobility was progressing prior to COVID-19 and what impact the pandemic has had upon it; shared mobility success stories; what policies are needed to encourage take-up of shared modes; and how shared mobility can contribute to decarbonisation targets. 

Our guests were Richard Dilks, Chief Executive, CoMoUK, and Greg Marsden, Professor of Transport Governance at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds. They were interviewed by Jillian Anable, Professor of Transport and Energy at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds. 

Urban Transport Next 04: After the pandemic

In this episode, we explored what the landscape for public transport might look like post-pandemic. The conversation touched upon how taking both a rational and emotional approach could encourage people back to public transport; the use of technology and communications to manage returning commuter peaks, and the role of on-demand public transport services in this new, COVID-19 world.

Our guests were Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General, UITP (International Association of Public Transport) and Laura Shoaf, Managing Director, Transport for West Midlands and Chair of the Urban Transport Group. They were interviewed by Philipp Rode, Executive Director of LSE Cities.

Urban Transport Next 03: The Tyne and Wear Metro at 40

In this episode, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Tyne and Wear Metro by delving into its past, present and future. The wide-ranging discussion took in the history of Metro, hearing how devolution was key in realising the initial vision and how the system has, and continues to be, a key part of the North East’s identity. The conversation also focused on how Metro has responded to the COVID-19 crisis and what its future will look like post-pandemic, with its new fleet of trains and potential extensions to the network.     

Our guests were Tobyn Hughes, Managing Director, Transport North East and Director General of Nexus, and Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus. They were interviewed by Mike Parker, the former Director General of Nexus.

Urban Transport Next 02: All on board?

In this episode, we discussed how to bring about a more diverse transport industry - one that better reflects the people and places it serves. The conversation touched upon how to attract women, children and Millennials to transport careers; how transport employers can promote diversity and retain talent; and the impact of Black Lives Matter on the sector. 

Our guests were Staynton Brown, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Talent at Transport for London and Joanna Ward, Women in Transport; Associate Transport Planner, Elliott Wood; Board Member, Transport Planning Society. They were interviewed by Dr Clare Linton, Policy and Research Advisor at the Urban Transport Group.