Experts propose digital integration in UK public transport

Leading experts from the University of Manchester have called for the integration of digital mobility platforms into public transport systems in metropolitan England to improve services and meet public policy priorities.

Professors Michael Hodson, Andrew McMeekin, and Dr Andrew Lockhart have published their findings in a collection of articles titled "On Infrastructure," advocating that passenger transport authorities should enhance their strategic control over city-regional public transport systems.

The authors highlight the growing presence of digital mobility platforms, such as ride-hailing services like Uber, bike-sharing schemes like Beryl, e-scooter rentals like Lime, and journey-planning apps like Citymapper, over the past 15 years in urban areas. They note, "They are often seen as 'disrupting' the organisation of existing public transport systems and creating competition. Yet these platforms can be strategically incorporated into existing systems by public authorities aiming to address public policy priorities and improve systems. They also address sustainability challenges, especially in accelerating the shift away from personal car use."

The experts discuss the complexity of integrating digital systems with existing transport frameworks. They acknowledge the organisational variability and the need for policymakers to carefully balance public policy goals with the creation of new markets for private providers. They state, "Given this dilemma, there is a need for bodies such as the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to develop a clear position in response."

The implications of control over digital platforms at a city-regional level are significant, according to the researchers. They urge transport authorities to consider how to best serve the public good with the opportunities platforms provide. They write, "Strategy at this scale needs to decide how platforms and the existing transport system should be organised and which transport services, infrastructures and sources of data should be under public control. This clearly requires a framework to support challenging and ongoing conversations on this issue within combined authorities and transport authorities, and with national government."

To address these challenges, the researchers have developed the "Urban Digital Stack," a framework intended to assist policymakers in managing digital platform integration with urban public transport systems. Hodson, McMeekin, and Lockhart explain, "Looking at how multiple platforms can be shaped and organised by existing urban decision makers and public transport systems, we focus on how platforms can add to the existing landscape of urban public transport systems. The tool explores what social and political challenges this raises for the control of existing and digital forms of infrastructure, and implications for the organisation and ownership of data."

The researchers acknowledge that the Urban Digital Stack does not offer simple solutions but aims to stimulate thought and dialogue among urban policymakers and stakeholders. They add, "The Stack does not provide simple prescriptions. Its purpose is to help urban policymakers and decision makers to think about and to debate key challenges and questions with colleagues and other stakeholders and to support them in developing strategies and plans for responding to the challenge of digital mobility platforms."

The insights from this research are available in the publication "On Infrastructure," which can be accessed through the Policy@Manchester platform.