In today's podcast we talk about public transport – why it works, what stops it from working and what policy levers government should be pulling to ease the path to greater investment and better outcomes.

And in particular, we discuss the role of the nation’s rail network in transforming the entire public transport system; why rail reform is important and perhaps what that might look like in theory and in practice.

Of course, rail is just one piece of a huge and complex jigsaw that makes up the public transport puzzle; one that involves a range of different and evolving modes from buses to trams to bikes to taxis and mini-buses - and increasingly now to micro mobility such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

It’s a puzzle that has challenged the UK government – and many around the world - for decades and delivered regular policy papers and initiatives each designed to transform our lives. The question of course, is whether any of these are ever worth the paper they are printed on; is an efficient, effective and affordable public transport system ever a realistic proposition for the UK?

To discuss this knotty issue, it is my pleasure to welcome Colette Carroll, Managing Director for Transportation at consultant AtkinsRéalis to the podcast today. Colette’s brief oversees the firm’s work in railways, highways, and local transport markets and having spent much of her earlier career working in government driving transport and rail policy, Colette should know more than most about the public transport challenge.

Resources
AtkinsRealis website
Great British Railways Transition Team
Shapps-Williams review
Draft Rail Reform Bill
Transforming Infrastructure Performance