The budget was light in terms of concrete announcements for the transport industry, but gave a glimpse into the economic approach we might expect to see from this government. The Chancellor delayed a decision on the third runway at Heathrow, made a loose commitment to rail by launching a review of rail infrastructure costs and extended the temporary 5p-per-litre fuel duty cut for a further six months to 1 July 2027. The budget was in large part the government ‘kicking the can’, delaying tougher decisions until a later date, and this was certainly true for its implications for transport. Extending existing policy which was originally to be axed, putting off tough decisions on major infrastructure projects, and signalling general support while offering little in the way of hard policy.
October saw the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street which represents a significant opportunity to create a more welcoming environment in one of the world’s busiest shopping destinations. By prioritising people over vehicles, the scheme will further improve air quality in the capital while reducing noise pollution and creating a more attractive place to visit. If we are to learn from our European counterparts we can expect greater footfall for businesses supporting central London’s continued economic growth. We hope Oxford Street acts as a blueprint for other parts of London, and the drive to make our capital city centred on people, rather than private vehicles, continues.
We saw several positive announcements for transport accessibility throughout October. Government announced new aviation safeguards for wheelchair users, level boarding was a significant theme throughout the DfT’s rolling stock strategy, the investment for Leeds station announced in the budget includes accessibility improvements, and parliamentary scrutiny continued on disability access and powered mobility. It is encouraging to see the government making tangible progress on accessibility across the transport network, signalling they recognise that inclusive design and meaningful engagement must be embedded throughout project delivery rather than treated as an afterthought.
Below we look in more detail at the month’s developments across public transport, rail, buses, metros, active travel, aviation, e-mobility and EDI.
JFG in October
This month JFG Communications worked with Women in Transport to lead the delivery of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Transport roundtable on sexual harassment on the public transport network. The session brought together parliamentarians, transport professionals and industry representatives to examine prevention, reporting, allyship and intervention. Our CEO and Chair of Women in Transport Jo Field OBE opened the discussion with findings from Women in Transport’s baseline women’s safety research: awareness of safety challenges is high, but confidence, training, data and organisational accountability lag behind.
Budget 2026: transport becomes the machinery of “good growth”
The Budget framed affordable and reliable transport as one of the foundations of a productive economy. It committed £100 million over two years to reduce the cost of local, lower-powered public EV charging; and confirmed a rail infrastructure cost review chaired by Rachel Skinner CBE. It also backed fiscal devolution, Good Growth Funds and increased strategic-authority capacity.
The political offer is coherent: cheaper everyday travel, sustainable projects and more local control. The delivery test will be whether the new funding and powers are sufficient.
Budget and EDI: transport relevance extends beyond transport lines
The Budget allocated £55 million over two years to accelerate the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, including support for prevention and enforcement. It also announced new voluntary standards and a scale-up programme for women in technology, while confirming that government will respond to the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment before the end of 2026, followed by a White Paper in early 2027.
Parliamentary committees: taxis and Heathrow under scrutiny
The Transport Committee published the Government response to its report on taxi and private-hire licensing and continued evidence sessions on the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement. Its October correspondence also covered the pre-appointment process for the Passenger Watchdog.
These are three different topics with a common governance theme: national standards and clear accountability matter wherever services cross local boundaries. The Government’s response on taxi standards is particularly important for passenger safety and consistency.
Aviation accessibility: stronger protection for wheelchairs
Government-backed aviation accessibility work announced stronger safeguards against wheelchair damage, better information and improved staff training for disabled passengers. The measures are being advanced through the Aviation Accessibility Implementation Group, a cross-industry advisory body supported by the Department for Transport.
The focus on equipment handling is welcome because damage can remove a passenger’s independence, not merely inconvenience them. The next measure of success should be transparent implementation, consistent training and clear redress across airports and airlines.
Northern transport: Bradford and Leeds move to the front of the queue
Government confirmed a new station at Bradford Interchange as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail and more than £300 million for the Leeds Existing Station Programme, to be delivered by 2030. The Leeds package includes a new central overbridge, three entrances, more ticket barriers and increased lift capacity. The Budget also gave the A66 programme the green light for phased main construction from November 2026.
The announcements reinforce a shift from rhetoric towards identifiable projects in major city regions. Bradford and Leeds now have stronger political sponsorship, but network benefits depend on interfaces with local mass transit, buses and development around stations.
E-vehicles
The London Assembly Transport Committee examined regulation of dockless hire bikes. Operators described a fragmented borough-by-borough system and supported a more consistent London-wide approach. The discussion covered parking, accessibility, standards and how operators should be held accountable.
A single scheme would improve clarity for users and reduce pavement obstruction, but only if accessibility is designed into parking rules and enforcement from the outset. The goal should not simply be tidier streets; it should be a shared service that works for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
Electric mobility: help for households without driveways
Planning permission is no longer required for cross-pavement EV chargers, which government says can save drivers up to £300 on installation. The Budget then announced £100 million over two years for local, lower-powered public charging, expected from spring 2027 to reduce annual charging costs for an average on-street user by around £150.
Taken together, the measures target a persistent equity problem in the EV transition: households without off-street parking face higher costs and fewer convenient options. Delivery will depend on consistent local processes, accessible pavement design and confidence that charging does not create new barriers for disabled pedestrians.
London: new financing routes for Underground and orbital growth
Subject to business cases, the Budget backed a Tax Increment Financing mechanism at Euston to support London Underground upgrades, a Business Rates Retention zone at Stratford, and work to enable international rail services to stop at Stratford International. It also committed to legislation for a successor to the Elizabeth line Business Rates Supplement, which could support future infrastructure including the West London Orbital and Bakerloo line extension.
This is significant as the Government is opening a route to long-term, locally backed finance. The conditions and business cases matter. London’s next challenge is to turn financing flexibility into a prioritised, publicly understood programme.
Wales
The Welsh Government set out plans to climate-proof transport across rail, buses, roads and ports, including enhanced weather monitoring, stronger maintenance regimes and resilience requirements within bus franchising. It also announced a third Menai crossing and a roads-based solution for the M4 around Newport. The UK Budget added £30 million to progress Cardiff Parkway station and £11 million for the Port Talbot Aberavon Bridge.
Wales is combining network resilience with big strategic choices but the key question is whether road investment, rail development and bus reform can be presented as one integrated programme, rather than competing modal priorities.
Great British Railways takes shape
Derby was confirmed as the headquarters of Great British Railways, alongside plans for up to 600 apprenticeship places over four years. Sir John Kingman was appointed as GBR’s first Chair. The Government also continued to promote its rolling-stock and infrastructure strategy, under which future procurements may use public ownership, leasing or other financing depending on value for money.
The conversation is shifting to how GBR will work in practice. Headquarters, leadership and workforce pipelines give institutional form to reform, but passengers will judge the change through reliability, capacity, information and accessibility.
Mass transit and mayors gain political backing
The Budget reiterated support for new mass-transit systems as the Mass Transit Taskforce concludes its consultation phase, and said government would explore new powers to help mayors. The West of England was highlighted for 18 transport projects, including work on mass-transit options for Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. The West Midlands spotlight linked growth to the Black Country Metro extension and Midlands Rail Hub.
The policy direction is favourable to metro and light-rail propositions, but the wording remains enabling rather than project-specific. Authorities will need robust business cases and credible delivery models to convert political support into construction.
Railways Bill scrutiny exposes unresolved questions
The Railways Bill continued through the House of Lords, with scrutiny focused on access rights, independent assessment of capacity and the breadth of powers available during transition. The Transport Select Committee also published correspondence on the proposed Passenger Watchdog.
Structural reform is now colliding with practical governance. Open access, freight, passenger representation and investment confidence all depend on the rules around capacity and accountability being clear before the new system goes live.
Buses: affordability, control and behaviour
The government issued guidance to support local-authority action against noise and antisocial behaviour on buses, including fixed penalties of up to £100 where local rules apply. In the West Midlands, parliamentary answers confirmed £11.5 million over three years to support the transition to bus franchising.
These policies create an opportunity for more coherent networks, but only if passenger information, service reliability and enforcement are designed together rather than as separate initiatives.