The Bus Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with Landor LINKS, is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the Quality Bus Conference 2024, which took place on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th September in Manchester. This sold-out event brought together local authorities, sub-national transport bodies, Department for Transport, bus operators, consultancies, and service providers to explore the latest opportunities in bus strategy, policy, funding, and innovation. 

With a packed agenda, headline topics covered included: 

• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Franchising Experience
• Government Policies on improving bus services with a focus on new options for Local Transport Authorities, including franchising and municipally owned services
• Enhanced Partnerships and their impact
• The economic contribution and social value of local bus services
• How to boost capability and expand expertise in the bus sector and attraction of new talent in the industry
• Decarbonisation initiatives and the transition to Zero Emission Buses 

Congratulations to the winners of the BCoE Lifetime Achievement Award, announced on Tuesday 24 September at the conference:

• Overall Winner - Eric Dale
• Bus Operator Staff - David Astill
• Local Authority Staff - Neil Maguire
• Bus Sector Support - Chris Cheek

Find out more about the Bus Centre of Excellence here. 

Help & Support 

If you would like to know more or have queries on the Bus Centre of Excellence, please email bcoe@ciht.org.uk. 

David Astill, winner of Bus Operator Staff