Former Transport Minister Steve Norris leads the speaker line-up announced for the 2026 ALBUM Conference in Blackpool on 11-13 May.
Mr Norris, who headed up the department in John Major’s Conservative government, will be the keynote speaker at an event hosted by Blackpool Transport and sponsored by Pelican Bus and Coach and Passenger Technology Group.
With a theme of “Embracing change: making shifts in policy and market expectations work for you”, the 2026 ALBUM Conference will highlight ways the industry can adapt and thrive.
Mr Norris, who oversaw the privatisation of London Buses, will speak on how SMEs can navigate moves towards bus franchising and other changing landscapes in the sector.
Passenger Transport analyst Chris Cheek will present his latest research into the impact of bus congestion on passengers.
Also in the line-up are Jane Cole, recently retired Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, and Bev Holden, who will “look at the bus industry from a people perspective”.
Alison Edwards, Director of Policy and External Relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, will talk about safety of women and girls on buses.
Stelios Roudoulis, Head of the Bus Centre of Excellence, will talk about the new skill sets and resources offered by the initiative.
Representing Transport for London on the programme will be Kerri Cheek, Senior Bus Safety Development Manager.
Dave Joshua, co-founder of Mind the AI Gap, will drive home the importance to the sector of the revolutionary technology which is shaking up the business world.
ALBUM says the conference, which will have a revised format this year, is already proving popular with additional exhibitor stands needing to be released. Limited sponsorship packages are also still available, following the announcement of the Gold sponsors in January.
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