CILT(UK) Kent Bus Summit

When: 01 October 2025, 18:00 - 20:30

Where: Canterbury Christchurch University , North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Laud Building Room Lg25

Following on from the Kent Bus Round Table Meeting organised by the South East Region of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) held at the University of Kent on 27 June 2023 it has been felt that following Government change and other industry developments that the time is ripe for us to revisit the role and future of buses in Kent. The issues discussed that have been holding buses back have not gone away but new challenges and opportunities are arising from anticipated changes to both the bus industry structure and forthcoming changes to local Government structures. In addition, the 2025 County Council elections have led to a complete change of regime within the Council which could have implications for bus service policy.

The panel of speakers will consider the following.

What Are the Main Challenges and Issues for Buses in 2025 and how can they be Addressed as well as Who by?

1. Challenges Already Existing in 2023 that haven’t gone away.

· Demographic and societal Changes since the 2nd World War particularly underconstrained car use.

· Lack of satisfactory management of the highway both in relation to bus priority measures and satisfactory highway design to facilitate bus operation as well as unmanaged highway works.

· Unplanned development that does not consider best modes of transport for work, education and other purposes and assumes everyone has good car access.

· Short term policies (including last minute decision making re funding etc.) both nationally and locally designed to win the next election regardless of long-term society needs.

· Lack of Voice and financial clout within bus industry and users compared with other sectors such as the motor industry, the motorist voter and developers.

2. New Issues, Challenges and Opportunities that Have Arisen

· Changes to Bus Service Regulation and whether franchising or statutory enhanced partnerships offers the best solution for Kent.

· Implications of Government devolution and Local government reorganisation plans for buses including opportunities and threats.

· Government Planning Policy proposals and Opportunities for joined up Land Use and Transport Planning

· What is the future for rural bus services in a county like Kent where the car rules the roost and is considered by many as the only feasible mode of local transport?

3. Actions needed to get where we need to be and what is required, when and involving whom?

4. How will we know whether we are getting there?

NB - Issues for consideration by speakers will include traffic congestion and management, planning policy particularly location of housing, places of employment, schools etc. funding mechanisms, Government policies relating to education, road user taxation and regulation, Environmental and Net Zero considerations, how to minimise the implications of political short-termism, changing public perceptions of buses, bus industry working conditions and technological solutions for improved public transport provision.

5. Proposed Discussion Invitees

• Joel Mitchell, Managing Director, Stagecoach South East
• Michael Jennings, Arriva South East
• Norman Kemp, Director Nu-Venture and South East CPT Regional representative
• Alastair Willis - Managing Director Go Coach
• Roland Eglinton, Director Chalkwell Coaches
• Nick Hill, Commercial Director, Go Ahead Brighton and Hove Buses, Metrobus and the Spirit of Sussex
• Paul Lulham, Director DHA Ltd. and Chairman CILT South East Region
• Kent County Council- Representative to be confirmed
• Medway Borough Council – Representative to be confirmed

Free of charge to members and non-member

Note: If you are not a current Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, please be aware our membership team may be in touch with you using your email address provided regards membership opportunities. If you do not wish to be contacted please email and let us know at regions@ciltuk.org.uk

Competencies asssigned to this event:

TBC