Looking back: Better Transport Week 2024

An action packed week

Our second Better Transport Week was packed with internal and external events, supporter actions, social media engagement and more. We brought together the transport industry, government, business and NGOs as well as passengers, pedestrians, cyclists to emphasise the vital importance of an integrated transport network which connects communities, unlocks opportunities and is at the heart of environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

Across the week, 21 official Better Transport Week events were held with over 500 participants in events around England and Wales. Here’s a snapshot of what went on…

• AtkinsRéalis roundtable: Why the safety of women and girls is crucial to designing and delivering inclusive and sustainable transport
• A beach picnic on Calshot Beach organised by Better Buses for the Waterside
• Various ‘pub outings by bus’, organised by regional CAMRA groups
• A range of events by Plymouth Council’s Plymotion team including a guided walk and bike ride
• Two roundtable discussions on the future of Light Rail in Kent and Leeds, hosted by the Light Rail Transit Association
• Walking@Tea-time, a free talk supported by London Living Streets and the Active Travel Academy at University of Westminster
• ‘Exploring Digital Demand Responsive Transport’: an exclusive event from the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) and Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) Public Transport Forum
• We celebrated Clean Air Day with Global Action Plan
• RHS and Good Journey UK teamed up to offer a 30 per cent discount at RHS Garden Wisley, for those arriving car free.

Touring the country

Across the week,  our Head of Campaigns, Michael was busy celebrating sustainable transport achievements across the country. We officially launched Better Transport Week with West Midlands Railway at Wolverhampton Station which has undergone a huge redevelopment, transforming into a bus, Metro, cycle and train interchange. We were given a tour of the station and were joined by Community Rail Network who talked us through the work of Community Station Partnerships across the country.

Next up was Blackpool with Blackpool Transport for a look at the new Tram extension and a go on the tram simulator. In Mersey, Michael met with Ellis Palmer from BBC Merseyside to have a tour of the new Merseyrail trains that improving level boarding accessibility across the network. The Light Rail Transit Association hosted a roundtable discussion in Leeds, addressing proposals to bring trams back to the largest city in Europe without a mass transit system.

The final stop on Michael’s Better Transport tour was to the Eryri National Park with Transport for Wales, checking out the stunning bus routes they have running throughout the park.

Better Transport Conference

As part of 2024’s celebrations, we hosted the first ever Better Transport Conference at King’s College London. Sponsored by SYSTRA, we set out to deliver a transport conference like no other. Across the day, insightful panel sessions delved into topics such as international rail, historic lessons for future transport, local authority strategies, and the transport priorities of young people.

Of the conference, Youth Panel member Amir Dawoodbhai told us:

“We were inspired by the dynamic exchange of ideas and the palpable dedication to making equitable mobility a reality in the UK….Campaign for Better Transport’s relentless pursuit of a better, more inclusive transport future reminds us of what makes our advocacy so rewarding.”

A full reflection on the Better Transport Conference can be read here.

Better Transport Heroes

To celebrate the everyday champions of sustainable transport, we invited people to nominate Better Transport Heroes in their communities. The four chosen heroes all embody our passion for sustainable transport and the wonderful ways it can improve our lives. 

Tony in the Lake District has worked with Northern to co-create a mobility-scooter permit scheme that has enabled over 2000 scooter users to travel on Northern trains for the first time.  

Simon in Devon pedals through the streets of Torbay, delivering his homemade sourdough bread to the community. He cycles up to 100 miles a week around hilly Devon, and encourages friends and colleagues to try cycling too.   

Despite facing challenges like arthritis, Sally in Dorset is committed to walking to her local train and bus station. She promotes community bus and train services through the Maiden Newton monthly transport leaflet and shows that embracing walking is not just a personal choice but the foundational step toward building a more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive community. 

Alan from Lincolnshire has become a local guru on sustainable transport. On his Facebook group he shares accurate timetables and travel tips, empowering his community to make informed choices about sustainable travel, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity. 

Read about the Better Transport Heroes here. 

Glasgow to London: Sam’s mega cycle

Another Better Transport hero was our brilliant supporter Sam, who undertook a mega sponsored bike ride from Glasgow to London, raising £1,790 for us during Better Transport Week. On top of cycling over 1000km in six days, Sam decided to add on climbing Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike, before making his way to London in time to attend the Better Transport Conference.

Sam kindly wrote a blog all about his cycling adventure.

On to 2025!

The third annual Better Transport Week will be held Monday 16 to Sunday 22 June 2025. Better Transport Week is supported by over 100 partners and sponsors. If you represent an company, local authority or organisation, find out more about sponsorship and partnership opportunities for Better Transport Week 2025 or email eugenia.agell@bettertransport.org.uk to find our how we can work together next year.