The Bus Centre of Excellence (BCOE) has launched its website, upon which is hosted a knowledge hub. It comes ahead of the debut of discussion forums, bespoke events, thought leadership and the ability for individuals to register to become BCOE members.
Development of a Bus Centre of Excellence was first floated in the National Bus Strategy for England upon publication in 2021. The Centre intends to deliver “a long-term programme of activities and support” for the sector and form part of intended work to improve bus services in England.
Key to the new website is its knowledge hub. It contains BCOE news, guidance, case studies and practical information on the bus industry. The hub will develop over time to become what secretariat provider the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) describes as “a one-stop shop for bus sector resources.”
Speaking about the website launch, BCOE Strategy Board Chair Leon Daniels says: “This is an important development for the Bus Centre of Excellence. It is the first of a variety of services that we will be providing to the bus sector.
“The BCOE website will provide users with the ability to locate the latest resources, discuss ideas and access relevant training that the sector needs.” Mr Daniels adds that over coming months, BCOE will publish plans for “wider strategies” to support its vision.
“By raising the skills and knowledge of those working in and around the sector, we will help to spread the word that bus services are improving, further growing customer confidence and helping the country to hit its net zero targets as patronage grows.”
Resources to be provided by BCOE will suit operators, local authorities and consultancies, CIHT says. The Centre will “enable the delivery of a long-term programme of activities and support.”
It is co-sponsored by the Department for Transport, with training to be managed and delivered by sector experts via a focus including service planning and network design, performance oversight, contract procurement and competitive tendering, and design and development of bus priority and wider traffic management measures.
Visit the website here.
