Transport User Voice December 2025 – Data driven improvements for...
More than four billion passenger journeys were made by bus across Great Britain last year. Buses...
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Transport User Voice December 2025 – Chief Executive’s editorial
12 December 2025
I spent some time this month preparing for my appearance at the Transport Select Committee on 10 December along with my colleague Alex Campbell (which you can view here). The Committee are doing a short, fast-paced series of hearings on the Railways Bill that they hope to publish the conclusion of before Committee Stage early next year.
If you’re ever feeling sceptical about politicians, you could do worse than watch the Transport Select Committee at work. They are taking time to understand the issues, test if the legislation will do what the Government says it will and identify ways to improve it. It’s not partisan and their questions are well-informed and certainly keep you on your toes.
At our session they were mostly interested in how the legislation affects our role. We are supportive of the changes and used the opportunity to explain how they would work in practice. As well as strengthened powers, such as being able to require the provision of information and improvement plans, we will be setting consumer standards and taking on sponsorship of the Rail Ombudsman. These functions are currently performed by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and we have been working closely with them to prepare. Our role representing users of the Strategic Road Network and buses in England outside London remains unchanged.
The legislation has a long way to go and we’ll be watching the Parliamentary debate closely. Meanwhile there is plenty going on including the first of our new quarterly rail scorecards and latest annual report highlighting the continuing difficulties lorry drivers face accessing decent rest stops.
Enjoy the read.
