In answer, the participants agreed that challenging incorrect perceptions and a focus on technology could play a huge role in the solution but that it was vital not to lose the ‘human element’ in public transport.
The perception problem
There was a general consensus around the table that, while there are undoubtedly improvements to be made, a lot of the problems in encouraging more people to use public transport lie in perception rather than reality.
Thales’ Claire Porter and CIHT’s Sue Percy pointed to the “fear factor” around public transport ranging from difficulty and cost to accessibility and safety. These perceptions were key issues for the DfT’s Sharon Goodsell who suggested that the media’s tendency to focus on the highest fares and most difficult journeys often put people off unnecessarily.
Information
Undoubtedly, information is the answer to perception problems. Proposed solutions included Louise Ellman MP’s suggestion for a greater emphasis on information sharing and provision in franchising agreements. This resonated with Virgin Trains’ Bob Powell who argued that train and bus stations need a cultural shift so that operators and staff view them as interchanges, not destinations.
Alstom’s Jonathan Wilcock suggested that including reliability statistics alongside pricing and timings might also increase uptake as people often unnecessarily build in excess time to allow for delays.
Technology
Technology clearly has a major role to play in tackling perceptions and encouraging public transport use. In the information game in particular there is a major role for innovations to break down the barriers, both perceived and real, that prevent greater uptake.
ITSO’s John Verity pointed to the complexity of pricing compared to the relatively predictable cost of driving but suggested that, as smart cards and smart phones begin to merge, this may become less of an issue.
In general there was agreement that, on the whole, the necessary technology exists but is not always being used in the most beneficial way. Transport Select Committee Chair Louise Ellman MP concluded that “the technology is there but it has to be applied. We need to know more about examples of good practice. Perhaps there’s another enquiry there.”
The ‘human element’
While the potential of technology was strongly welcomed, it was considered vital that the ‘human element’ should not be lost. Iain Stewart MP said we need to make “public transport journeys as personal as possible. Making it as easy to use, getting the information there to people, with technology but also having the human touch.”
The commercial value
Ultimately the MPs around the table agreed that, for real progress on this front, it is necessary to engineer things to incentivise the companies involved. Adrian Sanders MP concluded that “integration is a great concept but we need to monetise the social value in relation to future franchises.” Ellman summed up the conversation by asking “how do we link commercial value for the individual players with the public good?”
Attendees
- Louise Ellman MP, Chair, Transport Select Committee
- Iain Stewart MP, PPS to Patrick McLoughlin as Secretary of State for Transport
- Adrian Sanders MP, Member, Transport Select Committee
- Sharon Goodsell, Integrated and Sustainable Transport Policy Manager, Department for Transport
- Jonathan Willcock, Managing Director of Transport Global Solutions, Alstom
- John Verity, Chief Advisor, ITSO
- Claire Porter, Head of Strategy, Thales
- Bob Powell, On Board Director, Virgin Trains
- Sue Percy, Chief Executive, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
- Tony Grew, Parliamentary Editor, PoliticsHome (chair)