Ahead of this month’s CiTTi Awards 2024 ceremony, City Transport & Traffic Innovation Magazine is profiling each of this year’s finalists – continuing with those shortlisted for The Public Transport Award!
This award recognises achievements in the development and implementation of public transport vehicles and projects that significantly contribute to urban mobility, sustainability, and enhanced passenger experiences
Entries highlighted groundbreaking technologies and designs in public transport vehicles, demonstrating a profound impact on communities through improved accessibility, connectivity, and environmental stewardship.
This year’s finalists are:
Edwards Coaches
Edwards Coaches is nominated for its commitment to providing diverse services, including school transport, tours, local bus routes, and corporate contracts, with notable investments in new vehicles like Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches and cleaner, greener buses for its local services. Edwards Coaches, based in Llantrisant, South Wales, is approaching its centenary in 2025, marking a century of growth into Wales’ largest independent public transport operator and a key employer in the region. It also operates National Express routes and is introducing advanced inter-deck coaches. The company is deeply committed to its community, from aiding residents during flooding to recognising NHS workers during the pandemic. Edwards actively supports charities and enhances driver training, with many excelling in National Express awards. Technological innovation is central, including driver monitoring systems and plans for hydrogen and electric vehicles.Go-Ahead Group
Go-Ahead Group is nominated for its efforts to electrify its fleet and decarbonise its services. In Oxford, an innovative scheme involving Go-Ahead, Oxfordshire County Council, and Stagecoach will deploy 159 zero-emission buses, with Go-Ahead’s Oxford Bus Company running 104. Funded by the Zero-Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme, the £82.5m project includes significant investments from private and public sectors, aiming to reduce Oxford’s traffic by 10% with new bus priority measures, enhancing public transit efficiency. Go-Ahead has partnered with Wrightbus to manufacture Oxford’s new buses, equipped with free Wi-Fi, USB charging, and accessibility features. The buses are charged at Cowley Depot’s new hub, which supplies power for a 170-mile range per bus, making it one of the UK’s largest charging facilities. Additionally, Oxford Brookes University’s shuttle fleet is now fully electric. With potential annual reductions of 6,500 tonnes of CO2 and 50% NOx in Oxford’s busiest areas, this project is a model of public-private partnership aimed at decarbonisation.Transport for London & PassageWay
Transport for London & PassageWay are nominated for they’re Service Status signs, a free resource for organisations within the M25, designed to improve access to real-time public transport information for employees, customers, and visitors. These digital signs display live updates specific to the host location, including information on local bus, tube, tram, and TfL Rail services, as well as any disruptions and onward travel options. Each sign features a local area map pinpointing stops, giving a clear view of nearby travel options. These Service Status signs are accessible as URL links and can be displayed on any web-connected screen, automatically adjusting to screen orientation for ease of use. They cater especially to Londoners who may not have regular access to digital tools, such as mobility apps or smartphones. This includes approximately 2.3 million digitally excluded or low-engagement residents, many of whom face challenges in planning their journeys, particularly for bus travel. Although bus services account for about 20% of daily journeys across London, only around 2,000 of the city’s 18,000 bus stops currently provide real-time information, which can deter potential users.Whippet
Whippet is nominated for its work with Cambridge University to significantly upgrade the Universal bus service, now one of the UK’s largest privately funded electric bus networks. The new electric buses, introduced in September 2023, enhance passenger comfort and driver ease with high-back seats, USB chargers, air conditioning, and advanced safety features like camera-based mirrors and collision alerts. Whippet introduced Tap On, Tap Off fare capping to speed up boarding and simplify payment, with 68% of passengers now using this method. Efforts to improve accessibility and service experience include real-time tracking, refreshed branding, and better customer communication on delays. Despite challenges with Cambridge’s variable traffic, Whippet’s control centre monitors the service for delays. The Universal route has seen steady patronage growth, from 231,000 passengers in 2015-16 to a projected 765,185 by 2023-24. Whippet’s collaborations with Cambridge University and local initiatives, such as promoting city events, keep the service responsive to community needs.Wiltshire Council with Go South Coast & Ioki
Wiltshire Council with Go South Coast & Ioki are nominated for the development and digitisation of a new demand-responsive and semi-flexible network of bus services in the Pewsey Vale and Marlborough areas of Wiltshire. The ”Wiltshire Connect” service, part-funded by the government’s Rural Mobility Fund, aims to create an efficient and effective rural transport network that provides a viable alternative to cars, fostering vibrant, well-connected communities. The service offers user-friendly booking options via app, web browser, or phone, ensuring flexibility for all age groups. Ioki developed the digital platform for routing and pooling, for both semi-flexible and zonal DRT services. The buses are being operated by Salisbury Reds and feature a distinctive green Wiltshire Connect branding.
Acclaimed Irish stand-up comedian Andrew Ryan has been announced as the special guest host of CiTTi Awards 2024. He will reveal all the winners on Tuesday November 26 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in central London.
The ceremony will be attended by 200 of the UK’s leading transport professionals from local, regional and central government and other place stakeholders – including landowners, developers, and business improvement districts – and their project partners, such as architects, planners, contractors, and technology companies.
Guests will be greeted with a drinks reception held in the Balmoral Suite ahead of the winners being announced within the impressive surrounds of the Grand Hall, which features arched ornate ceilings, beautiful wood-panelling and dramatic chandeliers.
November’s trophy-giving ceremony and public announcement of the winners follows a thorough and exacting shortlisting and judging process, which saw more than 20 transport industry experts evaluate written entries and Zoom-based presentations from nearly 90 organisations across 20 categories.
Tables of 10 and individual tickets can be purchased here. Each seat booked includes a ticket that grants each guest access to the pre-ceremony drinks reception, a three-course dinner, the trophy-giving presentation and invaluable networking opportunities.
Anyone is welcome to attend CiTTi Awards 2024. You do not need to be an finalist to book, so secure your place now for this year’s most exciting social event in the UK transportation sector’s calendar!
The third annual CiTTi Awards will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector – and to book your table!
