Advertise on podcast: Transport for the North Podcast

Our vision is to help build a more integrated transport system and develop a consensual position for connected travel across the North. In this latest episode of our Transport for the North Podcast, we look at our Connected Mobility Strategy and how it is focused on delivering better journeys for passengers across all modes. There is an expectation across authorities and passengers for their transport networks to be better integrated – connecting the systems they use to plan and pay for journeys to the places that matter to them. At Transport for the North, our role is to highlight a lot of the successes and best practises emerging from transport authorities that have done work in this space. Through collaborative working and knowledge sharing we can understand different needs and bridge the gaps to connect places. We want a system that works for every area of the North, from rural to urban. Key to our strategy are three themes. Firstly, the future of ticketing, including pay-as-you-go options across the North and fares reform. Secondly is data and infrastructure – what’s the best approach to getting the required technical integration across modes of transport and infrastructure. And thirdly we look at future mobility, which considers novel transport systems and how they integrate with the existing route networks. There remain gaps in governance around multi-modal ticketing and fares modelling tools, but through collaboration we want to facilitate discussions on shared packages that support outcomes and avoid funding competition. Overall, this work will enable change through building an evidence base that allows partners to really get to grips with this important issue. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by finding and following us on social media.

Rural mobility can often be left behind and forgotten about in the transport industry. In this podcast episode, we discuss our work alongside partners to develop a place-based focus on rural areas. We look at the diverse nature of those places both across the North and the UK, characterised by countryside and sparse areas, more remote areas, but also some more fringe areas on the cusp of settlements and towns. There are huge opportunities to progress schemes and initiatives in these areas through collaboration with government, stakeholders and partners to ensure actions are delivered on the priorities of rural communities. One key focus is on integrating various transport modes to better connect services and give people viable alternatives to car use. Facilitating that modal shift is an important factor in transitioning to a greener transport network and bringing communities closer together. This episode also covers how evidence-based interventions can build a more comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure, further develop bus improvement plans, and help with wider health and wellbeing, including through combating transport-related social exclusion. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North!

In this latest episode of our Transport for the North Podcast, we discuss our research into transport-related social exclusion (TRSE) and the latest report to come on the back of our Connecting Communities Strategy. We’re joined by Tom Jarvis and Tom Mace, from our Strategy and Evidence team, who outline the findings from our TRSE research and what it means for the North of England. We look ahead to the future and our priorities around the issue, which include a focus on embedding TRSE decision-making into our own, and partners’, transport plans. Our latest report looks at how the cost-of-living is impacting travel choices and the links between the groups most affected. The research shows people at high risk of both cost-of-living pressures and TRSE are travelling less. The reasons why they travel is also changing. These shifts in travel patterns are in turn impacting the mental health and wellbeing of those at risk groups. Join us for this chat through the findings of our latest compelling research. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North!

Our latest podcast episode explores the ambitions in our revised Strategic Transport Plan (STP), which is out to public consultation until August 17, 2023. We discuss the key aspects of the consultation, which include a series of events, virtual engagements and forums. Our guests on the show talk through how their areas of work around Decarbonisation, Social Inclusion and Economic Growth feed into the STP, and the important relationship each sector has with another. The revised STP sets out the unique opportunities and challenges facing the North’s economy, people and communities, and how strategic transport investment can enable regional economic growth, support decarbonisation and reduce social exclusion. The vision of the Plan is broader than just transport and there is more emphasis on how we can support partners with local connectivity. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North!

In this episode, we follow up with Lucy Jacques, Acting Head of Policy & Strategy, about the development of our second Strategic Transport Plan, and the policy positions that feed into the revised document. We talk through our ambitions and actions in relation to spatial planning, and outline our role in this area – working with partners to develop the business case. It’s important we understand the need for transport alongside infrastructure and population growth, as well as the interventions that are needed to deliver for residents and businesses. We also look at the challenges the North faces in this policy landscape and the opportunities and the role of Transport for the North. Further to that, we look at the rural mobility policy position, which is a key area of our work moving forward. It’s important we recognise the diverse landscapes of the North and how the demand for transport access varies between communities. Whilst big rail schemes can help large areas, it’s as important to identify the transport options that will deliver better connectivity for more isolated groups. And finally, we look at the timeline for our new Strategic Transport Plan, and several of the current workstreams that will feed into this crucial document for the North. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

In our latest One Voice podcast, we speak to Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, about business investment, transport and wider connectivity with the North. He highlights the importance of Liverpool as a port city and trade opportunities post-Brexit, as well as the benefits from the visitor economy and the region’s growth as an innovation hub. Digital connectivity is crucial for the city, he says, and will play a key role in helping people and businesses achieve their ambitions across all sectors of the economy. Mayor Rotheram says transport is hugely important for the Liverpool region and improving connectivity across the North is one of the main reasons why he believes Northern Powerhouse Rail should be seen as a genuine opportunity to look towards levelling-up the country. He also reflects on the challenges caused by the recent rail service disruption in the North, and how it is impacting people travelling for work and leisure. Other topics covered include his vision for a franchise model for the buses, a London style integrated transport system for Liverpool and the introduction of hydrogen buses to meet green-travel aims. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

In the third of our One Voice podcasts, we spoke to Mayor Oliver Coppard, from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, as he approached his first 100 days in office. He reflected on the current business landscape – looking at the strong sense of innovation that runs through South Yorkshire and throughout the region’s history. Mayor Coppard says he believes there is a huge amount of opportunity within South Yorkshire which can be at the core of our future, and of economic growth. We discuss the unique challenges facing the region, namely connectivity with other parts of the country and the drive to deliver a low carbon network. But Mayor Coppard highlights how by overcoming this issues, it can power a stronger economy in the North, and across the country. Other key topics covered include concerns around the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proposed cuts to bus services, and the crucial role high speed rail can play moving forward. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

In our latest One Voice podcast, we speak to City of York Council leader, Councillor Keith Aspden. We discuss the heritage of the city – from the Romans, Vikings, railways and chocolate – to the modern business landscape that is internationally recognised. A key part of the region’s identity is its ability to reinvent and adapt to change, highlighted in the future jobs and future opportunities that are linked to the cutting-edge science, innovation and research sectors. We look at how the council is working with new businesses to create jobs for the city and how that benefits the wider region. We also highlight the importance of the East Coast Mainline in providing connectivity, and the need to deliver on the TransPennie Route Upgrade to ensure better access to all areas of the North. And as the region moves towards having a new combined authority, we discuss how the devolution deal will allow issues such as housing, climate change, and strategic transport issues can be decided locally. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

In this, the first episode of our One Voice series, we speak to Mayor Jamie Driscoll from the North of Tyne Combined Authority. He talks us through the huge area he covers and the transport challenges with such a diverse landscape of rural and urban communities. Mayor Driscoll tells us about the heavy investment that has gone into renewable energy sources such as offshore wind farms and gigafactories, and how he hopes that will further grow job opportunities in the region. He reflects on the Conservative Party leadership vote and explains his key ask of the new Prime Minister. We also discuss important topics for the North including his thoughts on the Integrated Rail Plan, HS2 and private car ownership. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

With the deadline approaching for the public vote on where the home of the new Great British Railways HQ should be, we continue our campaign to ensure it is #NorthBased. In this episode of our podcast, we speak to the pollical leaders championing two of the locations on the shortlist – Doncaster and Crewe. Mayor Oliver Coppard, from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, says Doncaster is the absolute front runner in the race given the area’s railway heritage and the support across the community. He says Doncaster is the natural home of the railways in the UK and in the DNA of the region. Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Craig Browne, said the headquarters should be in Crewe because it’s the only place boasting 360 degree connectivity with major towns and cities across the whole of the UK. He added that if the Government is serious about the levelling up agenda, then the GBR headquarters simply has to be in the North. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

We’ve launched a campaign supporting the four shortlisted locations in the North of England bidding to be the home of the new Great British Railways’ headquarters. In this podcast episode, we speak to the political leaders representing two of the places in the running – Newcastle and York. Mayor Jamie Driscoll, from the North of Tyne Combined Authority, believes the North East has the strongest case, given its railway history, links to universities and growing battery technology industry. He says if levelling up is to be realised, then GBRHQ has to be based that far north, and as a decision making process, it can attract jobs and skills to the region. We then spoke to the leader of York City Council, Councillor Keith Aspden, who said his city has unrivalled railway heritage. He also believes being home to Great British Railways HQ builds on the railway cluster already in place in York and supports connectivity across the whole county. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

In this episode, we speak to Lucy Jacques, Acting Head of Policy & Strategy, who is leading on the development of our second Strategic Transport Plan, and the policy positions that feed into the revised document. She outlines the importance of the STP as part of our statutory responsibility and explains why we need to update the plan. A lot of the evidence underpinning the original publication has evolved and there have been significant changes to the political, social and economic landscape. With a growing focus on the levelling up agenda, now is the right time to look at the North’s ambitions and vision, and what we need to deliver on that ambition. We also highlight two of our recently launched policy positions, focusing on how our role as One Voice for the North can support the further delivery of Active Travel and Multimodal Hubs. Both are growing areas of transport policy and will play an important part in supporting the decarbonisation agenda. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.