50+ transport tech organisations call on Prime Minister to deliver a Future of Transport Bill
ITS UK has issued a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP, signed by over 50 members and organisations in the intelligent transport sector, calling on the Government to move forward with a Future of Transport Bill in the upcoming King’s Speech.
The open letter highlights the need for a bill in order to deliver the right environment for transport innovation to continue to thrive in the UK. Specifically it sets out that a bill should:
- Place the recommendations of the Law Commission on self-driving and remote-driving vehicles into law, to create a regulatory environment for the safe and successful use of these technologies on all parts of the country’s road network;
- Move forward with industry reforms, such as in the rail sector, in order that we can drive forward smart ticketing options across transport;
- Set out UK-wide regulations for eScooters and eBikes, so that city regions are able to transition effectively from short-term trials to longer-term schemes; and
- Create a regulatory framework for the development of Mobility as a Service, to enable a more effective and integrated transport network.
Organisations signing the letter:
Max Sugarman, Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), said: “The UK is home to some of the most innovative transport technology companies in the world, including those working in areas like connected and autonomous vehicles, smart ticketing, micro-mobility and Mobility as a Service. For the sector to continue to thrive, it needs a Future of Transport Bill that builds upon the work of the Law Commission on remote and self-driving vehicles, that allows the rail sector to modernise through industry reform, that sets out a long-term plan for shared micro-mobility schemes and which sets up the right framework for the development of a more integrated transport system through MaaS.
“With a bill promised in the 2022 Queen’s Speech, it is now more urgent than ever that we see legislation introduced. We urge the Prime Minister to bring a bill forward in November, when the King opens Parliament and look forward to working with Government to support our transport sector, with the jobs, economic growth and investment it provides.”
