Let's make transport better, greener and fairer for all.
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** What a year it's been!
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Hello Supporter

It has been an exciting year for transport. Sweeping reforms to the way bus and rail services are run have begun in earnest; further devolution of money and decision making to regional and local authorities is underway; a new Integrated National Transport Strategy is on the horizon; and pricing signals which favour private transport over public transport have received welcome attention.

Throughout it all, we've campaigned and fought for the social, economic and environmental importance of sustainable transport to be recognised by decision makers and for public transport to receive the political and financial support it needs and deserves.

Here are just some highlights of the last 12 months.


** Buses
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With the Government's 'bus revolution' in full swing, the Bus Services Bill became law, giving all local authorities the power to choose how best to deliver bus services in their area. Crucially, the Government has also overhauled the way buses are funded ([link removed]) . Multi-year funding will now allow local authorities to properly plan how best to support local bus services, and crucially it will now be based on local needs, rather than which local authority makes the best bid.

We were very happy when the Government acknowledged the plight of lifeline bus services, many of which were under threat, protecting them through the new Bus Services Act ([link removed]) , but we think the Government needs to go further. In our written and oral evidence ([link removed]) to the Transport Select Committee inquiry into improving buses, we called for a minimum service level to ensure that every community has a usable bus service. When the Committee published its final report, we were thrilled to see this ask included, along with our call for a national standard for bus stops ([link removed]) .

We were so glad to have been able to get these important asks in front of the people who shape our transport system and we will continue to keep up the pressure on the Government to take forward these recommendations. Keep your eyes peeled in the new year for the next stage of our bus stop campaign, Bus Stop Stories.


** Rail
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The Government has forged ahead with reforming the railways - giving us a sneak peak of the new Great British Railways branding ([link removed]) earlier this month - and we're continuing to play an active part in the development of the Railways Bill ([link removed]) , which is currently making its way through Parliament. The Bill represents a significant opportunity to create a more accountable, affordable, accessible and better-integrated rail network. To do this however, it must include clearer duties, stronger safeguards and a firmer long-term funding framework. As part of this, we’d like to see a target to increase passenger numbers, a plan to grow the network to connect more people to the railways, and a clear timetable for fares and ticketing reforms to make trains more affordable for more people.

We think it’s vital that passengers’ voices are heard in the rail reform process, so we've launched a public survey ([link removed]) to find out what issues you think the rail reform process should tackle. If you haven't already completed our survey, please take ten minutes to tell us what your top priorities are ([link removed]) for Great British Railways.
Take our Rail Reform survey ([link removed])


** Rail fares
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2025 has felt like the year of the rail fare. We started the year with another Great British Rail Sale and launched our Fix Fares for Good ([link removed]) campaign, then we finished the year with a rail fare freeze, ensuring regulated rail fares will stay at their current level until at least March 2027. One of the key tenets of our rail campaigning in recent years has been a rail fare freeze, so we were understandably extremely happy when this was announced in the November Budget. We've also seen the Government indicate it will introduce a best price guarantee so people know they are getting the best possible price for their journey. And with exciting trials of contactless ticketing and fare caps across the country, there's much to be positive about as we continue to work on fundamental fares reform next year.


**
Budget wins
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In previous years, Budgets have not brought much to cheer about for public transport, but this year was different. Not only did we get the first rail fare freeze for 30 years ([link removed]) , the Chancellor also announced she will gradually end the 5p fuel duty cut and revert to inflation-related increases from 2027, helping to rebalance transport costs and recoup billions in lost revenue. Changes to Air Passenger Duty for passengers on massively polluting private jets will mean those that pollute more, pay more, and the per-mile electric vehicle charge will help avoid a huge hole in fuel duty revenue as the transition to electric vehicles gathers pace.
Read our 'Five Good Things in the Budget' blog ([link removed])


** Our archive
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We were honoured this year when the National Railway Museum catalogued and digitised our archival materials for the nation. From beautifully hand-stitched bunting bearing campaign messages, to records of our rail reform campaign in the 1990s, the items in our 50-year archive continue to surprise and delight.

“The Campaign for Better Transport archive documents the unique history of campaigning and its lasting impact on transport policy. We are excited to facilitate access to this archive and allow guests to explore this history through materials from the archive and the campaigners who shaped it.” - Kait Buchbaum, National Railway Museum
Watch a video about our archive. ([link removed])


** Better Transport Week
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Our third annual week of celebrating the sustainable transport that helps connect communities and bring people together took place in June. The week was a huge success:
* 260 organisations took part
* 42 Better Transport Week themed events, visits, webinars and conferences took place across England and Wales
* 30 local and transport authorities got involved
* 1,000 people attended events
* 60.5 million people had the chance to see, hear or read about the week in the media.

Next year's week is already in the planning stages and we very much hope you'll join us from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 June to celebrate sustainable transport!

We couldn't have done any of this without you, our amazing supporters! If our National Railway Museum Archive teaches us anything, it is that progress is never automatic. Campaigners like you have been instrumental in reopening rail lines, saving bus routes, changing laws, cleaning up our air, unclogging our streets and keeping communities connected. So thank you for all your support this year: for taking part in our campaigns, for sharing social media posts, for completing surveys, for raising funds and for helping spread the sustainable transport message far and wide.
I want to finish by wishing you and your family a very happy New Year!

All the best,
Silviya Barrett
Silviya and the whole Campaign for Better Transport team

Silviya Barrett, Director of Policy and Campaigns
Campaign for Better Transport

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