Worldwide, the most effective and sustainable transport networks are built upon visions that are supported and shaped through comprehensive strategies.
A good public transport strategy brings with it an understanding of the travel needs and aspirations of users and potential users; identifies opportunities and challenges; includes robust objectives; and creates a clear roadmap for how the vision can be delivered.
Our team of experts have worked extensively with clients to provide independent advice and develop public transport strategies for their bespoke requirements. Our strategic support has facilitated greater stakeholder ownership and political support for public transport.
Our deep understanding of public transport operations, innovative public transport solutions, and ability to consult effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, enables us to advise on, and create buy-in to, strategies that will be relevant now and in the future.
ITP supported Southampton City Council in the development of their Public Transport Plan to complement the City’s LTP4.
Working with local public transport operators and other key stakeholders (including Business Improvement District, Chamber of Commerce, Port Operators, the universities and the NHS), the plan aims to develop some of the big ideas outlined within Connected Southampton, including the development of the Southampton Mass Transit System.
ITP developed a vision, objectives, corridor specific interventions and targets, and a framework for delivery for the short, medium and long term. This led to an aspirational strategy that built on the strengths of the current network whilst addressing its weaknesses through investment and partnership working.
The East Midlands Enterprise Gateway (EMEG) is an area of regional and national economic significance. Containing both East Midlands Airport and SEGRO East Midlands Gateway logistic park, the area provides over 15,000 jobs. ITP was commissioned to develop a roadmap for future development of the public transport network in light of local priorities.
The first phase of work focused on drawing together all of the available information on existing and proposed measures to enhance public transport accessibility to the EMEG area, including an existing network review and review of proposed developments in the area.
The second phase of the work focused on developing a roadmap for the future, along with SWOT analysis of potential delivery options.
We have recently been engaged to develop their Public Transport Strategy for the next 5 years.
Worcestershire County Council required a new bus strategy to set out a roadmap for delivering services to meet future demand on the network.
ITP was commissioned to assist with the development of the strategy which focusses on improving reliability and accessibility; supporting growth; network prioritisation; integration; complementary services; fares and ticketing; and information and infrastructure.
We investigated the current and future demands for travel in the county taking account of changing demographics and future development, and consulted with council officers, bus operators and specialist groups throughout the process. In addition, we reviewed the young persons’ concession scheme; multi-operator ticketing scheme; and community transport provision; as well as benchmarking with other authorities. The output was a public transport strategy in line with the corporate vision of Worcestershire’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2018-2030.
Leicestershire County Council required a framework and rationale for objective decision making and resource allocation in relation to their local bus and community transport services.
ITP was commissioned to review its approach to supporting and developing local bus and community bus transport services. As well as benchmarking existing practice and methods against other local authorities, the review involved consultation and engagement with senior officers and high-level stakeholders within the council, coupled with assessment of different options for incorporation into the new Passenger Transport Policy and Strategy, which ITP drafted as their key project deliverable.
Once the policy was adopted, the County Council used this strategy to undertake area bus reviews across Leicestershire, coupled with extensive stakeholder and public engagement.
ITP developed the Public Transport Strategy and Framework Travel Plan for the planned Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) near Junction 15 of the M1. The development, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, includes provision for an intermodal freight terminal, rapid rail freight facility, and 6.7 million sq.ft. of warehousing.
ITP consulted closely with the local authority, operators, and stakeholders to develop a strategy which ensured sustainable travel options were central to the site’s development from the outset, as well as ensuring local and national planning requirements were met. Outputs from the strategy include a new, direct bus service connecting the site to Northampton town centre; sustainable transport infrastructure including EV charging points; and a full-time travel plan coordinator. Development consent for the site was granted in October 2019 by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council’s Brierley Hill Area Action Plan set out long-term aspirations for sustainable local growth. The new sub-regional centre needed a public transport strategy that would cater for anticipated increases in travel demand generated by planned retail and employment growth.
The phased strategy we developed in collaboration with the Council set out a deliverable plan for establishing a high-quality, accessible, affordable, and well-used public transport system. It built on the regional transport authority’s established strategies to place particular emphasis on understanding Brierley Hill’s internal connectivity, and providing local bus services to meet identified travel demand. The strategy we developed continues to be implemented at a local level, alongside Transport for the West Midlands’ evolving proposals for extending Midland Metro to the area.
