The report, published on 4 November 2025 by independent think tank Centre for Cities, echoes CIHT’s manifesto, outlining the crucial role played by transport to deliver growth across the country and realise sustainable travel and net zero ambitions. The report recommends policymakers improve the integration of the transport networks across six major city-regions in England, namely Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, and the North East), making their routes and services work more effectively as a system. 

Integration would expand the reach of the six big city public transport networks, better connecting 1.2 million more people to their city centres within 30 minutes by making longer and more complex journeys easier. This has powerful implications for the national economy- effectively increasing these cities’ size by more than a third would suggest £17 billion additional economic output per year through increased productivity. 

The report celebrates initiatives such as Greater Manchester’s Bee Network and Sheffield’s Supertram extension, highlighting their recognition amongst voters. Centre for Cities calls on national government to give metro mayors greater control over local transport. The report emphasises the importance of rail devolution to enable effective integration of transport modes, with flexible frameworks tailored to local capacity; and highlights that ‘integrated transport’ means different things in different places.  

The report is timely, given the current legislative pipeline featuring the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, the Bus Services Act 2025 and the Railways Bill alongside the development of the Integrated National Transport Strategy for England. Earlier this year, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, announced £15.6 billion for transport projects in towns and cities outside London, which was welcomed by CIHT.  

CIHT has highlighted the need for an English National Transport Strategy for many years and welcomes the government’s commitment to deliver one. CIHT was part of the shaping of the first National Transport Strategy in Scotland and has supported the Welsh Government on the delivery of their National Transport Strategy. Our submissions for the Integrated National Transport Strategy call for ideas and the Northern Ireland National transport Strategy consultation are available below.