Looking back: Better Transport Week 2023

What a celebration! From 12 to 18 June 2023, Campaign for Better Transport ran the first ever Better Transport Week, supported by more than 100 partners. Better Transport Week set out to celebrate sustainable transport and inspire change, as well as marking Campaign for Better Transport’s 50th anniversary. From buses, trains and trams, to shared mobility, active travel, and even electric ice-cream trikes – sustainable modes took centre-stage for a week of colourful events.

Rail Day

Rail leaders gathered with Rail Minister Huw Merriman to launch Better Transport Week at London’s King’s Cross Station. Huw Merriman said:

“It’s great to be waving the flag for rail – one of the greenest forms of transport – and kickstarting Better Transport Week. As a Government, we recognise our railways will be key to unlocking a more sustainable transport network which is why, amongst many initiatives, we’ve electrified more than 1,200 miles of track in the past decade alone. Over the past 50 years, Campaign for Better Transport has been doing a fantastic job at shining a valuable spotlight on the green transport options already out there and promoting the wide range of benefits public transport, walking and cycling brings. Here’s to the next 50.”
– Huw Merriman, Rail Minister

Also on Rail Day, Campaign for Better Transport met Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters at Cardiff Station. Silviya Barrett from Campaign for Better Transport said:

“We’re really pleased to be here in Wales today to launch Better Transport Week. Wales has forged ahead with transport policies that champion sustainable transport to improve lives.”
– Silviya Barrett, Campaign for Better Transport

Bus Day

Bus Day celebrated our most-used form of public transport, and showed appreciation to bus drivers. Tom Druitt from Brighton’s Big Lemon Buses said:

“At The Big Lemon we are very proud of our drivers and the great service they provide our passengers every day, and it’s wonderful to see them honoured and appreciated.”
– Tom Druitt, Chief Executive, Big Lemon Buses

Bus advocate Emily Turner, who went viral in February for travelling on interconnected local bus routes from London to Edinburgh, met drivers at Ash Grove Bus Depot in London. Emily said:

“I encourage everyone to thank their drivers, celebrate buses, and keep campaigning to make bus travel better!”
– Emily Turner, Bus advocate

Business Day

On Business Day, a convoy of cargo bikes – including colourful electric ice-cream trikes – took to the streets to launch Cargo Revolution’s new campaign which urges local authorities to switch to cargo bikes for services such as litter cleaning, keeping parks tidy, and doing maintenance to council estates.

At an event at the Federation of Small Businesses, Campaign for Better Transport launched a new toolkit to help businesses reduce their corporate travel carbon footprint. Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“There’s a need for better transport connectivity for small firms, especially those in rural areas, to boost business growth and accelerate our journey to net zero.”
– Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses

Health Day

Cyclists and pedestrians gathered at the Strand Aldwych to celebrate the extraordinary changes to this part of London which have made it great for walking, wheeling and cycling, helping to clean the air.

Also on Health Day, Professor Jenny Mindell, Honorary Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health at UCL, highlighted the many links between transport and health:

“We need to end car dominance and focus on people and on active travel and public transport – better for health, better for the environment, better for reducing inequalities and transport poverty, and better for society.”
– Professor Jenny Mindell

Local Transport Day

On Local Transport Day, an event in Manchester celebrated a big year for the city, with the Bee Network, capped multimodal fares and franchised buses to come. Afterwards there was a chance to try out Brompton Bicycle hire at Manchester Piccadilly Station.

What a week!

Paul Tuohy of Campaign for Better Transport, said:

“As the leading national transport charity, what better way to celebrate our 50th year than by bringing together a powerful range of allies to call for transport that is better for people, communities and the environment? Sustainable transport, whether it’s buses, trains and trams, bikes or shared transport, is ready to take us to a greener future – let’s get on board.”
– Paul Tuohy, Campaign for Better Transport