The Great Transport Debate: Industry professionals converge to discuss the future of transportation
Over 200 professionals from the transport industry gathered at The Great Transport Debate, an event that brought together key thought leaders, decision-makers, and experts from various modes of transportation.
Hosted and sponsored by ground transport specialists CMAC Group, the event took place at the Concorde Conference Centre in Manchester, offering a platform to address crucial challenges and opportunities in the sector.
With an impressive lineup of speakers, including prominent figures such as Martin Jones, CEO of Cavu, Jacqueline Starr, CEO of Rail Delivery Group, and Nigel Stevens, Chair of Transport Focus, the event captured the attention of industry professionals who were eager to contribute to discussions surrounding the transportation landscape.
The day-long event featured four engaging panel debates, each focussing on a critical theme within the transport industry. One of the debates revolved around achieving multi-modal integration, highlighting the urgent need for policymakers, trade bodies, and operators to collaborate and create seamless connections between different transportation modes. The consensus was that vertical integration is key to providing passengers with efficient and convenient travel options.
Enhancing social mobility was another pressing issue discussed at the event. Panellists stressed the role of improved transport infrastructure and accessibility in promoting equal opportunities for all. The debate explored ways to increase social mobility by creating an inclusive transportation system that caters to the diverse needs of different communities.
Furthermore, the event delved into strategies to meet the unique demands of local markets and communities within a centralised transport model. Panellists underscored the importance of tailoring transport solutions to specific regions, taking into account the distinct characteristics and requirements of each area.
Finally, the debate on fostering innovation explored the role of technology and data-driven solutions in shaping the future of transportation. Participants highlighted the need to create a framework that encourages innovation, enabling the industry to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Throughout the event, audience members actively participated by submitting their questions and comments to the panels via the online platform, Slido, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and ensuring a diverse range of perspectives.
The Great Transport Debate, sponsored by Rail Delivery Group and Teneo and hosted by CMAC Group, offered a platform for industry leaders to engage in meaningful discussions and share insights on the future of transportation. CMAC Group, a global leader in transport, further solidified their position by sponsoring the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon earlier this year, where CEO Peter Slater addressed industry leaders and shared valuable insights to enhance the passenger experience during disruptions.
Neil Micklethwaite, COO of CMAC Group and host of The Great Transport Debate, said: “This collaboration of decision makers from across all-modes of transport is a UK first, the discussions reinforced the importance of unity, innovation, and customer-centric approaches in addressing the challenges facing the transport sector.
“We will continue the debate through a dedicated working group, which is open to participation from all interested individuals across all modes of transport.
“The aim is to work collectively towards a more integrated and seamless transport system across the U.K that builds communities and economic wealth, allowing people to get to work and education, see their friends and families, visit attractions and fully support social mobility.”
