First ever Better Transport Week to take place in June

11 May 2023

Better Transport Week will run from 12 to 18 June 2023 and aims to promote the wide range of benefits of public transport, shared mobility, walking and cycling to the public and encourage more people to travel sustainably. Campaign for Better Transport is launching the week to celebrate its 50^th year of campaigning for sustainable transport.

The launch will see industry influencers and thought leaders come together for a panel discussion hosted by the Rt. Hon. Norman Baker, former transport minister and now Director of External Affairs at Campaign for Better Transport, at the Railway Industry Association in London. Guest speakers include Shamit Weinberger Gaiger, Managing Director, West Coast Partnership Development; Emily Turner, bus advocate and podcast host; Pete Bond, Head of Integrated Transport, Transport for West Midlands; Hana Sutch, Founder and CEO, Go Jauntly; and Chris Dixon, Founder and CCO, Pedal Me.

Norman Baker from Campaign for Better Transport said: “What better way to celebrate Campaign for Better Transport’s 50^th year than with a celebration of sustainable transport? We are very excited to be launching Better Transport Week and pleased to have such a large number and range of organisations as partners for the week.”

Shamit Weinberger Gaiger, Managing Director, West Coast Partnership Development said: “Over the last 50 years, Campaign for Better Transport has played a key role in influencing sustainable transport and pushing to ensure it is accessible for all – which is extremely important to me. As we look to the future, we have to continue our collaborated work as an industry to provide better, greener transport that delivers substantial improvements to our communities as well as a reliable, trustworthy, value for money service for our customers.”

Better Transport Week is being supported by a number of organisations including the Department for Transport, local authorities, transport industry, NGOs, businesses and passenger groups.

Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air, Global Action Plan, said: “Sustainable transport not only helps the planet and cleans up our air pollution, it also enables us to enjoy healthier, happier lives. That’s why Better Transport Week couldn’t be a better time for Clean Air Day to take place. Together, we act as a galvanising moment, inspiring many to take individual action for themselves, but also showcase the demand for this change to decision makers. This year, one of our key asks is for people to walk, wheel or use public transport – or if they drive, to try leaving the car at home – to reduce their exposure and contribution to air pollution, as well as get in touch with their local councillor to ask them to support clean air measures like more sustainable transport. The combination of participation in individual behaviour change and using our collective voice to call for system-wide changes makes all the difference.”

Rebecca Fuller, Interim Director at the Urban Transport Group, said: “We’re delighted to support Better Transport Week – a key event in the transport calendar that shines a spotlight on the vital role of public transport, walking and cycling in shaping a more sustainable future. It’s also a great way to celebrate half a century of the important work that Campaign for Better Transport does for our communities up and down the country.”

Mark Anderson, Customer and Commercial Director at Go-Ahead Group said: “Public transport is part of the solution for climate change. Go Ahead welcomes the work of Better Transport Week as it focuses on the benefits of sustainable travel. We will continue to advocate for greater modal shift, moving people out of their cars and on to public transport, whether that’s bus or rail.”

Better Transport Week will feature a different theme each day with events, promotions and actions taking place throughout the week.

• Monday 12 June – Rail Day. The public launch of the week at Kings Cross Station in London along with a rail industry roundtable.
• Tuesday 13 June – Bus and Coach Day. Celebrating our most used form of public transport with the public encouraged to thank their driver and share why buses and coaches are important to them.
• Wednesday 14 June – Local Transport Day. Celebrating the transport we use day in day out with a transport roundtable in Manchester and a ‘Ride to Rail’ social media challenge.
• Thursday 15 June – Health Day. Highlighting the health impacts of transport on National Clean Air Day.
• Friday 16 June – Business Day. Focussing on how businesses can reduce their transport emissions and encourage their employees to travel to work more sustainably.
• Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June. Rounding off the week with two days of promotions that aim to celebrate public transport, walking and cycling.

Visit the Better Transport Week webpage from more information.

ENDS

Better Transport Week is being launched on Thursday 11 May 2023, at 18:30 at the Railway Industry Association, 16 Smith Square London SW1P 3JJ. Media are welcome to attend.

For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. Better Transport Week runs from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 June and aims to promote public transport, shared mobility and active travel to mark the transport charity’s 50^th year of campaigning. Better Transport Week is supported by Arup, Assertis, Asthma & Lung UK, Beryl, Big Lemon, Bus Users UK, Byway Travel, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Campaign for National Parks, CAMRA, Clean Cities Campaign, Community Rail Network, Coventry City Council, Cycling UK, Department for Transport, Eurostar, First Bus, GBR-TT, Global Action Plan, Go Jauntly, Go-Ahead Group, Good Journey, Green Alliance, Independent Rail Retailers, Intelligent Transport Systems UK, JFG Communications, Leeds City Council, Lime Bikes/Scooters, Living Streets, London Travel Watch, Loud Mobility, Love to Ride, Mobility Lab, Mobilityways, Mums for Lungs, Network Rail, Next Bike, Nottingham City Council, PATTH, Pedal Me, Rail Freight Group, Railway Industry Association, Reading Buses, Smart Transport, Strava / Strava Metro, Suffolk Council, Sustrans, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Tier, Trainline, Transport Action Network, Transport and Environment, Transport East, Transport for London, Transport for Greater Manchester, Transport for West Midlands, Transport Planning Society, Urban Movement, Urban Transport Group, Virgin Trains Ticketing, West Coast Partnership Development, Women in Transport and Zipcar.
2. Campaign for Better Transport was founded as Transport 2000 on 6 February 1973. 2023 marks its 50^th year of campaigning for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929) which operates in England and Wales.