Passenger Focus to become Transport Focus

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

To include the Roads watchdog.

From Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport website

A new voice and making a difference for many road users - that is the promise from independent consumer champion Passenger Focus as it prepares to become Transport Focus.

Parliament will discuss an expanded remit for the organisation next week, as part of the Infrastructure Bill. The organisation would represent all those who use the motorways and certain A roads in England ^ including motorists and business users as well as those who walk or cycle on the network.

This would sit alongside continued work to represent and make a difference for rail, bus, coach and tram passengers.

In order to reflect the added responsibility, the organisation will be called Transport Focus.  Transport Focus will use the names Transport Focus ^ passengers and Transport Focus ^ road users to differentiate the strands of work.

This change, which would take place as part of the Infrastructure Bill, comes as Government seeks to reform the way strategic roads (motorways and designated A or ^trunk^ roads) operated by the Highways Agency are planned and run.

Chief Executive Anthony Smith said:

^We are pleased to be asked to take on this extension of our remit, which makes sense as we have a strong record of using evidence to make a difference for public transport passengers.

^We will now take this expertise and aim to help those using the strategic road network in England, including for freight as well as personal or business journeys. Passenger Focus remains fully committed to its work on rail, bus, coach and tram passenger issues.^

AS roads are a different kettle of fish to public transport issues, it'll be interesting to see how they can represent users,