What are transport operators for? (And what should they do?)

It may not be as obvious as it seems to decide the precise role and responsibilities that those who provide passenger transport services should play

Mark Cartwright

28 April 2011

Mark Cartwright is a founder Director of Centaur Consulting Limited, a Surrey-based company which provides strategic technology and policy services. He is a mathematician by training, and a Chartered Engineer. Mark began his professional life in the academic world, where he taught mathematics at the Universities of Oxford and Nottingham. As a consultant, Mark has worked for clients in defence, telecoms, broadcasting, finance and energy sectors, at European, national and local levels. For the past fifteen years, his main area of interest has been transport technology, and he is currently involved in the management and development of numerous national initiatives: UTMC for traffic management, the public transport community RTIG, and RSSB Operational Communications programme for GB Rail. Mark is married, with two daughters.

Informal and individually provided transport has increasingly been replaced by highly structured and regulated provision- even where privatised.

No, the title question is not a joke. I’ve not come on board the New Transit contributing team to take a few cheap pops at those working at the sharp end of public transport and their sense of purpose. It’s a serious question, with important ramifications, and (I think) not asked often enough.

My perspective is that of a non-operator; specifically, a mathematician turned engineer. I’m interested in systems – how, why or if they work, and how well.

I willingly nod my due...