This webinar took place on 3rd July 2025.

Aimed at Councillors and elected Mayors, this two-sessions event explained how the bus industry works, the benefits of buses, the power that local politicians have and the options available to them for improving bus services.

Session 1: Introduction to Buses (10:30am - 12:30pm)
Presenter: Kirsten Keen

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the environmental, social, and economic benefits of buses and their essential role to the wider transport sector
Define the different types of bus services and management options on offer, including the benefits and risks associated with each.
Understand the importance of transferring to a net zero bus fleet and options available.
Understand the fundamentals of the financial and legislative environment that buses operate within.
Know the key stakeholders in the bus industry and their role in supporting services.
Describe some of the common challenges faced by those working in the bus sector, as well as the opportunities available.

Informally known as the ‘bus lady’, Kirsten is the Major Roads Senior Strategy and Policy Officer at Transport for the North with over 10 years’ experience in the transport sector. She specialises in supporting partners in developing and implementing inclusive, sustainable and user-focused bus networks. One of her proudest achievements is the creation of a comprehensive and interactive online course called ‘An Introduction to Buses’ on behalf of the Bus Centre of Excellence, which has received commendation from senior industry leaders.

A handout and the presentation’s slides are now available to download.

You can also view the recording of the session.

Session 2: Bus stops and shelters - issues and opportunities (1:30pm - 3:30pm)
Presenters: Antoneta Horbury (MCIHT), Stelios Rodoulis (MCIHT)

This session looked at the issues associated with bus stops and how bus stops can be designed to enhance better bus operations. It will also provide highlights from the Campaign for Better Transport’s report on bus shelters and identify the revenue opportunities that bus shelters can provide. The second part of this session included a presentation on Demand Responsive Transport, including implications for bus shelters.

Antoneta Horbury is the Director of Policy and Technical Affairs at the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT). She manages the CIHT’s policy team and the team responsible for delivering the Bus Centre of Excellence, funded by the Department for Transport. Antoneta holds a PhD from University College London and started her career in academia before moving to London Underground. Prior to joining the CIHT, Antoneta worked for over 20 years in local government working largely in the areas of parking policy and public transport.

Stelios Rodoulis (MCIHT) is the Head of the Bus Centre of Excellence and has a background in transport and urban planning. Stelios has 20 years of experience and worked for SKM Colin Buchanan and Jacobs as a transport consultant, before moving to Essex County Council where he held the roles of Business Development Officer (Passenger Transport) and Rural Mobility Lead. Stelios is a specialist on bus planning and operations, Demand Responsive Transport, and he is a published author on the theme of Autonomous Vehicles and impact on cities.

The slides and recording from this session are now available to be viewed/downloaded.

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