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John Prescott Regional Transport Authority of the Year
John Prescott Regional Transport Authority of the Year
John Prescott Regional Transport Authority of the Year
Submission Criteria
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Progress and improvement across a range of sustainable transport policy areas supported by measurable outcomes.
Evidence of success could include:
Growing public transport patronage and/or mode shift, and customer satisfaction ratings.
Improved public health through increased active travel infrastructure and networks, the use of decarbonised fleets (e.g. electric buses and authority-owned service vehicles ), road fatality statistics.
The approaches being utilised to attract people back to local transport and ensure accessible and affordable travel is available for all.
Examples of innovation and joined-up thinking regarding land-use, planning, housing, economic development etc
Submission Criteria
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Progress and improvement across a range of sustainable transport policy areas supported by measurable outcomes.
Evidence of success could include:
Growing public transport patronage and/or mode shift, and customer satisfaction ratings.
Improved public health through increased active travel infrastructure and networks, the use of decarbonised fleets (e.g. electric buses and authority-owned service vehicles ), road fatality statistics.
The approaches being utilised to attract people back to local transport and ensure accessible and affordable travel is available for all.
Examples of innovation and joined-up thinking regarding land-use, planning, housing, economic development etc
Submission Criteria
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Progress and improvement across a range of sustainable transport policy areas supported by measurable outcomes.
Evidence of success could include:
Growing public transport patronage and/or mode shift, and customer satisfaction ratings.
Improved public health through increased active travel infrastructure and networks, the use of decarbonised fleets (e.g. electric buses and authority-owned service vehicles ), road fatality statistics.
The approaches being utilised to attract people back to local transport and ensure accessible and affordable travel is available for all.
Examples of innovation and joined-up thinking regarding land-use, planning, housing, economic development etc
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
CPCA is one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions, delivering inclusive, sustainable mobility through bold leadership. In 2024, it became one of the first combined authorities to pursue bus franchising, reimagining networks for community benefit. Its £1 Tiger Bus Pass for under-25s has already supported over one million journeys since May 2024, improving affordability and opportunity. Projects like the March Area Transport Study transformed town centres with pedestrian-friendly spaces, while 35km of new walking and cycling routes advanced active travel. CPCA also achieved an Active Travel England Level 3 rating, reflecting its whole-system approach. Major rail schemes, including Cambridge South and Peterborough Station Quarter, align transport with economic growth. With a clear Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, cross-sector board, and climate focus, CPCA has embedded accessibility, equity, and sustainability into its vision, shaping the future of mobility across the region.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
CPCA is one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions, delivering inclusive, sustainable mobility through bold leadership. In 2024, it became one of the first combined authorities to pursue bus franchising, reimagining networks for community benefit. Its £1 Tiger Bus Pass for under-25s has already supported over one million journeys since May 2024, improving affordability and opportunity. Projects like the March Area Transport Study transformed town centres with pedestrian-friendly spaces, while 35km of new walking and cycling routes advanced active travel. CPCA also achieved an Active Travel England Level 3 rating, reflecting its whole-system approach. Major rail schemes, including Cambridge South and Peterborough Station Quarter, align transport with economic growth. With a clear Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, cross-sector board, and climate focus, CPCA has embedded accessibility, equity, and sustainability into its vision, shaping the future of mobility across the region.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
CPCA is one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions, delivering inclusive, sustainable mobility through bold leadership. In 2024, it became one of the first combined authorities to pursue bus franchising, reimagining networks for community benefit. Its £1 Tiger Bus Pass for under-25s has already supported over one million journeys since May 2024, improving affordability and opportunity. Projects like the March Area Transport Study transformed town centres with pedestrian-friendly spaces, while 35km of new walking and cycling routes advanced active travel. CPCA also achieved an Active Travel England Level 3 rating, reflecting its whole-system approach. Major rail schemes, including Cambridge South and Peterborough Station Quarter, align transport with economic growth. With a clear Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, cross-sector board, and climate focus, CPCA has embedded accessibility, equity, and sustainability into its vision, shaping the future of mobility across the region.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
HITRANS
The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership
HITRANS, covering half of Scotland’s landmass but under 10% of its population, addresses unique geographic challenges with innovation. Its Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) positions the region as a UK centre of excellence, trialling electric, hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, drones, and air taxis with £15m funding and 15 consortium partners. HITRANS also took over and expanded the HI-Bike e-bike scheme, now at 345,000km of journeys, saving 57 tonnes of CO₂. New projects include autonomous bus pilots, digital demand responsive transport (Moove Flexi), and the Go-HI MaaS app—Scotland’s first rural MaaS platform. Staff numbers tripled since 2019, enabling delivery of active travel, EV infrastructure, and accessibility programmes across councils. HITRANS has embedded equality and affordability through low-cost services, making sustainable mobility available in remote areas. Its 2025 Regional Transport Strategy sets a 20-year vision, proving HITRANS is pioneering low-carbon, inclusive connectivity for rural communities
HIGHLY COMMENDED
HITRANS
The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership
HITRANS, covering half of Scotland’s landmass but under 10% of its population, addresses unique geographic challenges with innovation. Its Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) positions the region as a UK centre of excellence, trialling electric, hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, drones, and air taxis with £15m funding and 15 consortium partners. HITRANS also took over and expanded the HI-Bike e-bike scheme, now at 345,000km of journeys, saving 57 tonnes of CO₂. New projects include autonomous bus pilots, digital demand responsive transport (Moove Flexi), and the Go-HI MaaS app—Scotland’s first rural MaaS platform. Staff numbers tripled since 2019, enabling delivery of active travel, EV infrastructure, and accessibility programmes across councils. HITRANS has embedded equality and affordability through low-cost services, making sustainable mobility available in remote areas. Its 2025 Regional Transport Strategy sets a 20-year vision, proving HITRANS is pioneering low-carbon, inclusive connectivity for rural communities
HIGHLY COMMENDED
HITRANS
The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership
HITRANS, covering half of Scotland’s landmass but under 10% of its population, addresses unique geographic challenges with innovation. Its Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) positions the region as a UK centre of excellence, trialling electric, hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, drones, and air taxis with £15m funding and 15 consortium partners. HITRANS also took over and expanded the HI-Bike e-bike scheme, now at 345,000km of journeys, saving 57 tonnes of CO₂. New projects include autonomous bus pilots, digital demand responsive transport (Moove Flexi), and the Go-HI MaaS app—Scotland’s first rural MaaS platform. Staff numbers tripled since 2019, enabling delivery of active travel, EV infrastructure, and accessibility programmes across councils. HITRANS has embedded equality and affordability through low-cost services, making sustainable mobility available in remote areas. Its 2025 Regional Transport Strategy sets a 20-year vision, proving HITRANS is pioneering low-carbon, inclusive connectivity for rural communities
Kent County Council
Kent’s Fastrack network, covering Dartford, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet, and Gravesend, has been restructured as a micro-franchise model with a 15-year contract awarded to Go-Ahead London in November 2024. This long-term stability has unlocked investment in electrification, new charging infrastructure, and fleet upgrades. Reliability on Fastrack Route A improved from 74% in March 2024 to 86.4% in March 2025, with passenger complaints at just 0.04 per 100 journeys. Patronage now exceeds 2.5m annually and continues to rise. Kent has also positioned Fastrack as a model for scalable franchising, balancing local authority oversight with private expertise. With infrastructure upgrades, new depots, and electrification under way, Fastrack demonstrates how counties can embed sustainable bus rapid transit into regional growth, ensuring reliable, low-carbon mobility for communities while creating a blueprint for future franchising in other regions.
Kent County Council
Kent’s Fastrack network, covering Dartford, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet, and Gravesend, has been restructured as a micro-franchise model with a 15-year contract awarded to Go-Ahead London in November 2024. This long-term stability has unlocked investment in electrification, new charging infrastructure, and fleet upgrades. Reliability on Fastrack Route A improved from 74% in March 2024 to 86.4% in March 2025, with passenger complaints at just 0.04 per 100 journeys. Patronage now exceeds 2.5m annually and continues to rise. Kent has also positioned Fastrack as a model for scalable franchising, balancing local authority oversight with private expertise. With infrastructure upgrades, new depots, and electrification under way, Fastrack demonstrates how counties can embed sustainable bus rapid transit into regional growth, ensuring reliable, low-carbon mobility for communities while creating a blueprint for future franchising in other regions.
Kent County Council
Kent’s Fastrack network, covering Dartford, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet, and Gravesend, has been restructured as a micro-franchise model with a 15-year contract awarded to Go-Ahead London in November 2024. This long-term stability has unlocked investment in electrification, new charging infrastructure, and fleet upgrades. Reliability on Fastrack Route A improved from 74% in March 2024 to 86.4% in March 2025, with passenger complaints at just 0.04 per 100 journeys. Patronage now exceeds 2.5m annually and continues to rise. Kent has also positioned Fastrack as a model for scalable franchising, balancing local authority oversight with private expertise. With infrastructure upgrades, new depots, and electrification under way, Fastrack demonstrates how counties can embed sustainable bus rapid transit into regional growth, ensuring reliable, low-carbon mobility for communities while creating a blueprint for future franchising in other regions.
SEStran
South East Scotland Transport Partnership
SEStran covers eight local authorities and one-third of Scotland’s population, offering regional leadership across transport modes. Guided by its Regional Transport Strategy, SEStran launched its People and Place Plan in 2024/25, allocating £5.3m to active travel across 18 partners, including schools, workplaces, and inclusion initiatives. Projects delivered cycle storage, adaptive bikes, workplace e-bikes, and new travel hubs. Public transport planning includes shaping a new regional bus strategy and supporting proposals for Newburgh and Winchburgh stations. SEStran also manages Thistle Assistance, a Scotland-wide accessibility tool, and coordinates regional EV infrastructure procurement. Freight work includes exploring tram and rail freight potential. Outcomes show bus use recovering post-COVID, active travel expanding, and accessibility projects reaching vulnerable communities. With just 14 staff, SEStran demonstrates how strategic leadership, collaboration, and targeted investment can shape equitable, sustainable mobility across a fast-growing region
SEStran
South East Scotland Transport Partnership
SEStran covers eight local authorities and one-third of Scotland’s population, offering regional leadership across transport modes. Guided by its Regional Transport Strategy, SEStran launched its People and Place Plan in 2024/25, allocating £5.3m to active travel across 18 partners, including schools, workplaces, and inclusion initiatives. Projects delivered cycle storage, adaptive bikes, workplace e-bikes, and new travel hubs. Public transport planning includes shaping a new regional bus strategy and supporting proposals for Newburgh and Winchburgh stations. SEStran also manages Thistle Assistance, a Scotland-wide accessibility tool, and coordinates regional EV infrastructure procurement. Freight work includes exploring tram and rail freight potential. Outcomes show bus use recovering post-COVID, active travel expanding, and accessibility projects reaching vulnerable communities. With just 14 staff, SEStran demonstrates how strategic leadership, collaboration, and targeted investment can shape equitable, sustainable mobility across a fast-growing region
SEStran
South East Scotland Transport Partnership
SEStran covers eight local authorities and one-third of Scotland’s population, offering regional leadership across transport modes. Guided by its Regional Transport Strategy, SEStran launched its People and Place Plan in 2024/25, allocating £5.3m to active travel across 18 partners, including schools, workplaces, and inclusion initiatives. Projects delivered cycle storage, adaptive bikes, workplace e-bikes, and new travel hubs. Public transport planning includes shaping a new regional bus strategy and supporting proposals for Newburgh and Winchburgh stations. SEStran also manages Thistle Assistance, a Scotland-wide accessibility tool, and coordinates regional EV infrastructure procurement. Freight work includes exploring tram and rail freight potential. Outcomes show bus use recovering post-COVID, active travel expanding, and accessibility projects reaching vulnerable communities. With just 14 staff, SEStran demonstrates how strategic leadership, collaboration, and targeted investment can shape equitable, sustainable mobility across a fast-growing region
Transport East
Transport East champions rural and coastal connectivity across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Southend. In 2024, it launched the Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence, providing data-driven solutions to overcome rural transport challenges. This included pilots in demand responsive transport, EV charging in hard-to-reach areas, and integrated active travel schemes. Its strategic plan aligns transport with economic regeneration, net zero, and social equity, tackling isolation in coastal and rural communities. By convening councils, operators, and stakeholders, Transport East is embedding resilience and inclusivity in future mobility, ensuring rural voices shape national policy.
Transport East
Transport East champions rural and coastal connectivity across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Southend. In 2024, it launched the Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence, providing data-driven solutions to overcome rural transport challenges. This included pilots in demand responsive transport, EV charging in hard-to-reach areas, and integrated active travel schemes. Its strategic plan aligns transport with economic regeneration, net zero, and social equity, tackling isolation in coastal and rural communities. By convening councils, operators, and stakeholders, Transport East is embedding resilience and inclusivity in future mobility, ensuring rural voices shape national policy.
Transport East
Transport East champions rural and coastal connectivity across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Southend. In 2024, it launched the Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence, providing data-driven solutions to overcome rural transport challenges. This included pilots in demand responsive transport, EV charging in hard-to-reach areas, and integrated active travel schemes. Its strategic plan aligns transport with economic regeneration, net zero, and social equity, tackling isolation in coastal and rural communities. By convening councils, operators, and stakeholders, Transport East is embedding resilience and inclusivity in future mobility, ensuring rural voices shape national policy.
WINNER
Transport for Greater Manchester
TfGM’s Bee Network has transformed mobility, integrating buses, trams, cycling, and walking into one affordable, accessible network. Bus franchising launched in Bolton and Wigan in 2023, with punctuality rising above 80% compared to 69% pre-franchising. Fare satisfaction jumped to 82%, and annual Metrolink patronage grew 10% to 45.6m—the busiest year ever. Cycling and walking trips increased, with half of residents now agreeing the network encourages active travel (up from 38% in 2023). TfGM also expanded Starling Bank Bikes, surpassing 1m rides since launch, and boosted electric bus rollout from under 1% to 20% of the fleet in less than two years. Road safety improved, with fatalities down nearly 30% in 2023. Customer satisfaction rose to 85%. The Bee Network proves how franchising, investment, and integration can deliver world-class mobility, setting a benchmark for UK regions.
WINNER
Transport for Greater Manchester
TfGM’s Bee Network has transformed mobility, integrating buses, trams, cycling, and walking into one affordable, accessible network. Bus franchising launched in Bolton and Wigan in 2023, with punctuality rising above 80% compared to 69% pre-franchising. Fare satisfaction jumped to 82%, and annual Metrolink patronage grew 10% to 45.6m—the busiest year ever. Cycling and walking trips increased, with half of residents now agreeing the network encourages active travel (up from 38% in 2023). TfGM also expanded Starling Bank Bikes, surpassing 1m rides since launch, and boosted electric bus rollout from under 1% to 20% of the fleet in less than two years. Road safety improved, with fatalities down nearly 30% in 2023. Customer satisfaction rose to 85%. The Bee Network proves how franchising, investment, and integration can deliver world-class mobility, setting a benchmark for UK regions.
WINNER
Transport for Greater Manchester
TfGM’s Bee Network has transformed mobility, integrating buses, trams, cycling, and walking into one affordable, accessible network. Bus franchising launched in Bolton and Wigan in 2023, with punctuality rising above 80% compared to 69% pre-franchising. Fare satisfaction jumped to 82%, and annual Metrolink patronage grew 10% to 45.6m—the busiest year ever. Cycling and walking trips increased, with half of residents now agreeing the network encourages active travel (up from 38% in 2023). TfGM also expanded Starling Bank Bikes, surpassing 1m rides since launch, and boosted electric bus rollout from under 1% to 20% of the fleet in less than two years. Road safety improved, with fatalities down nearly 30% in 2023. Customer satisfaction rose to 85%. The Bee Network proves how franchising, investment, and integration can deliver world-class mobility, setting a benchmark for UK regions.
Transport for West Midlands
TfWM is delivering transformative projects for the West Midlands. Coventry Electric Bus City, the UK’s first full-fleet electrification programme, already has 204 electric buses in service (80% of the fleet), cutting 250,000 litres of diesel monthly and boosting patronage by 8% versus 2019. Satisfaction surveys show strong public support for cleaner, quieter vehicles. By 2025, all 250 vehicles will cut 16,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. TfWM also launched Local Travel Points, creating integrated community hubs for sustainable journeys. Investment exceeds £160m, combining public and private funding. With Vision Zero safety initiatives, inclusive ticketing, and data-driven planning, TfWM is embedding equity and innovation into mobility. Coventry is the only West Midlands city to have fully recovered pre-Covid bus use, underlining the scheme’s impact. TfWM demonstrates how whole-system transformation can scale nationally, balancing climate action, patronage growth, and passenger experience.
Transport for West Midlands
TfWM is delivering transformative projects for the West Midlands. Coventry Electric Bus City, the UK’s first full-fleet electrification programme, already has 204 electric buses in service (80% of the fleet), cutting 250,000 litres of diesel monthly and boosting patronage by 8% versus 2019. Satisfaction surveys show strong public support for cleaner, quieter vehicles. By 2025, all 250 vehicles will cut 16,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. TfWM also launched Local Travel Points, creating integrated community hubs for sustainable journeys. Investment exceeds £160m, combining public and private funding. With Vision Zero safety initiatives, inclusive ticketing, and data-driven planning, TfWM is embedding equity and innovation into mobility. Coventry is the only West Midlands city to have fully recovered pre-Covid bus use, underlining the scheme’s impact. TfWM demonstrates how whole-system transformation can scale nationally, balancing climate action, patronage growth, and passenger experience.
Transport for West Midlands
TfWM is delivering transformative projects for the West Midlands. Coventry Electric Bus City, the UK’s first full-fleet electrification programme, already has 204 electric buses in service (80% of the fleet), cutting 250,000 litres of diesel monthly and boosting patronage by 8% versus 2019. Satisfaction surveys show strong public support for cleaner, quieter vehicles. By 2025, all 250 vehicles will cut 16,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. TfWM also launched Local Travel Points, creating integrated community hubs for sustainable journeys. Investment exceeds £160m, combining public and private funding. With Vision Zero safety initiatives, inclusive ticketing, and data-driven planning, TfWM is embedding equity and innovation into mobility. Coventry is the only West Midlands city to have fully recovered pre-Covid bus use, underlining the scheme’s impact. TfWM demonstrates how whole-system transformation can scale nationally, balancing climate action, patronage growth, and passenger experience.
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