@utg-uk.bsky.social
We are the UK’s network of transport authorities.
An image of Richard McGuckin, the new Chair of the Urban Transport Group, and a quote from him (in white text), against a rainbow background.
🎉 We're thrilled to announce Richard McGuckin, Deputy Chief Executive of @lpoolcityregion.bsky.social, as our new Chair.
Richard leads the region's ambitious transport programme - a multi-billion pound investment shaping the future of mobility.
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
🚀Cities Outlook 2026 is out now!
🏙️ Our annual report looks at how the UK’s cities are performing — and what that means for economic growth and living standards.
buff.ly/w5hQiNS
🧵👇
🚉🤝 Our Director @mrjasonprince.bsky.social emphasised the importance of strong partnerships between Mayoral Strategic Authorities and GBR - to the Railways Bill Committee yesterday.
📽️ Catch up on the whole session here 👇
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
"There has been a palpable shift in the way people see the role of buses," says our Director @mrjasonprince.bsky.social in this @theobserveruk.bsky.social column.
It highlights the success of franchising in Greater Manchester, where bus journeys have risen by 11%.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
A curve in a railway track.
How can locally-led partnerships between Mayoral Strategic Authorities and the railway be built as rail reform progresses?
Our members, together with Shadow GBR partners, have created a practitioners’ guide to do just that.
Read more 👇
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
An image of Rebecca Fuller, Assistant Director of the Urban Transport Group, with a quote from her in white text - set against a dark pink background.
Government has announced new local powers to introduce pavement parking restrictions.
Our Assistant Director Becky Fuller comments on the news.
gov.uk/government/n...
Our full statement 👇
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
A smiling young woman, holding folders whilst travelling on a bus.
🗓️ New Year, new job! 🥳
Looking for a role that helps shape transport policy?
Look no further.
We're recruiting for a Policy Officer to produce impactful research, briefings, reports and much more.
Apply by 15 Jan 👇
www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/vacancies/po...
An image of Rebecca Fuller, Assistant Director of the Urban Transport Group, with a quote from her in white text - set against a dark blue, orange and green background.
Government has today published its new Road Safety Strategy 🛣️⚠️📃
Our Assistant Director Becky Fuller responds.
Full story on our website ⬇️
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
A man in a light blue denim shirt, wearing glasses, enjoying a bus journey.
Is your current job feeling a bit last year? 😉
We're hiring!
Join us as our Membership & Communications Officer to deliver industry-leading events, impactful comms & to work face-to-face with our members.
Apply today: westyorks-ca.gov.uk/vacancies/me...
Closing date: 15 Jan
A red London bus driving through a deep puddle following a rain storm.
Extreme weather events caused by climate change impact our transport systems across the UK.
It's good to see Government's 'climate adaptation strategy for transport' with adaptation objectives & a commitment to climate resilience standards by 2030.
gov.uk/government/p...
The Urban Transport Group team, in a leafy park in Leeds.
Want to join our small but growing team?
Based in Leeds (but with hybrid working), we're championing public transport across the UK.
🚍🚴🚋🧑🦽🚉🚶🛴
Check out our two new positions in policy and membership/comms.
Details below 👇
www.urbantransportgroup.org/careers
It's great to see the Government reaffirm its commitment to West Yorkshire's Mass Transit scheme.
Light rail systems support economic growth, promote social inclusion and bring environmental benefits in the areas that they serve.
westyorks-ca.gov.uk/news/new-par...
@westyorkshireca.bsky.social
The London skyline, with a blurred London Overground train passing.
Make your next career move a ground-breaking one! 💡
We're recruiting a Membership & Comms Officer to highlight the impactful work of our network of 15 transport authorities across the UK.
A flair for comms & events is a must!
Closing date: 15 Jan.
www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/vacancies/me...
Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, pictured against a light grey background.
Why was 2025 a landmark year for local transport?
The key development has been the shift away from inefficient, short-term competitive bidding cycles to multi-year funding settlements, writes our Director @mrjasonprince.bsky.social for Passenger Transport.
urbantransportgroup.org/blog/2025/12...
A lady helping a child on a bike cross a road, with a man on a bike behind.
🚨 We’re hiring!
Could you be our new Policy Officer & help shape transport policy across the UK?
📍 Location: Leeds / Hybrid
⏲️ Full time
If you’re passionate about transport, this is your chance to make an impact.
👉 Apply now
www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/vacancies/po...
A tram in Nottingham.
🚨 JOBS ALERT 🚨
We're excited to be recruiting for 2 new positions:
📢 Membership & Communications Officer
📝 Policy Officer
This is your chance to join a small team, making a big impact on transport across the UK.
Apply by 15 Jan 👇
urbantransportgroup.org/careers
A yellow and black 'Glider' style rapid transit bus, on display in Liverpool City Region.
"With devolution, the focus is now shifting from what powers & funding we need, to the scale of what we can achieve."
Our Director @mrjasonprince.bsky.social writes about why 2025 has been a landmark year for local transport, in his Passenger Transport blog.
urbantransportgroup.org/blog/2025/12...
A quote and image of Jason Prince (Director of UTG) set against a pink background.
The Second Reading of the Railways Bill will take place in the House of Commons today.
Our Director @mrjasonprince.bsky.social welcomed the Bill, and the new role it will give to Mayoral Strategic Authorities.
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
This funding emphasises the importance of bus as the backbone of our local transport networks... and represents a continued commitment to improving bus services and delivering on the ambitions of the Bus Services Act.
🚍💪
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A Centre for Cities figure showing how integration changes the number of people within easy reach of their nearest large city by public transport.
.@centreforcities.bsky.social research finds that integrating public transport in England’s 6 Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities would improve public transport connectivity to city centres for up to 1.2m people.
Read more in this guest blog.
www.urbantransportgroup.org/blog/2025/11...
.@centreforcities.bsky.social research has quantified the ‘size of the prize’ for mayors who use new powers to integrate existing transport networks in their cities.
External Affairs & Policy Manger, Caitlin Rollison, blogs for us on the key findings.
www.urbantransportgroup.org/blog/2025/11...
A Department for Transport chart showing local bus passenger journeys (billions) in England, the year ending March 2005 to 2025.
New stats show a modest increase in bus patronage across England (1%), with a 5% increase in the 6 biggest city regions outside London.
Further growth in patronage is dependent on sustained revenue funding for bus, and we are keen to see this confirmed.
gov.uk/government/s...
Government has confirmed that England’s mayors will be able to invest in transport (and infrastructure and tourism) through a new levy on overnight stays.
This is a welcome move, and something we have called for as part of local revenue raising powers.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Chancellor Rachel Reeves with the red Budget box.
With next week's Budget approaching, we're looking forward to confirmation of revenue funding levels for bus.
Buses deliver for local people and for Gov's missions. But sustained revenue funding is essential for local authorities to meet their ambitions
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
A yellow bus in Liverpool City Region.
To realise the benefits of bus franchising and EPs, our members need sustained revenue funding for bus.
We're keen to see funding levels that will allow city regions to continue to deliver for passengers and communities.
Read our Budget submission 👇
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
A visual for the Local Transport Summit
We're supporting @landorlinks.bsky.social Local Transport Summit, which is hosted by our Member East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Our Policy Manager Monta Drozdova will be discussing transport devolution.
⏰ 18 & 19 Nov
📍 Derby Conference Centre
www.urbantransportgroup.org/events/local...
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood
Mayor David Skaith
Mayor Claire Ward
Mayor Richard Parker
Interested in transport? 🚈
Looking for a new podcast to brighten up the commute? 🎧
Our Urban Transport Next podcast series, supported by AtkinsRéalis, has over 25 episodes.
Check out some of our recent, high-profile guests 👇
urbantransportgroup.org/podcast
HM Treasury, London
The Government must use the upcoming Budget to “maintain the momentum” that is transforming local transport across England’s urban areas.
That's the message of our submission to HM Treasury.
Read more details 👇
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood standing by a red bus.
Last week, our Director @mrjasonprince.bsky.social interviewed Transport Minister @simonlightwood.org.uk to coincide with the Bus Services Act.
In this blog, Jason reflects on the conversation, and how the Act will benefit our members and local communities.
urbantransportgroup.org/blog/2025/10...
A pink visual with a quote from Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, in white text, and an image of Jason.
We are welcoming the introduction of the Railways Bill into Parliament today - the legislation that will create Great British Railways (GBR).
The Bill will give England’s mayors a new role and a bigger say in how the railway is run in their areas.
urbantransportgroup.org/resources/ty...
