Route Forward 2025 | What’s next for the bus and coach sector? | Leeds 16 September 2025

26 August 2025

Change brings opportunity.

16 September, Leeds — Transport operators, decision-makers, and sector leaders will come together to explore what’s next for the bus and coach sector — and how to move forward, better prepared.

The sector is entering a new era, shaped by re-regulation, evolving operating models, and changing policy frameworks. Route Forward is a free, half-day conference hosted by Backhouse Jones and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), designed to provide practical insight and strategic guidance for operators, local authorities, and transport professionals.

Conference highlights

Attendees will hear from a distinguished mix of speakers and industry leaders, covering:

How to respond to re-regulation and franchising frameworks
Smarter ways to deliver services and build stronger partnerships
Practical takeaways from across the sector
Insights into the Bus Services (No.2) Act and upcoming policy changes
Opportunities to future-proof operational and strategic decisions

Meet the speakers

David Guest, Former Chief Reporter, BBC Northwest Tonight (conference host)
Kat Deyes, Associate Director, Frontier Economics
David Leeder, Managing Partner, Transport Investment Ltd
Stephen Fidler, Director, Local Passenger Transport & Inclusion, Department for Transport (DfT)
Peter Mann, Interim Transport Programme Director, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA)
Samantha Collins-Hill, Deputy Director, Department for Transport (DfT)
Robert Singleton, Head of Planning, Department for Transport (DfT)
James Backhouse, Legal Director, Backhouse Jones
Libby Pritchard, Associate Director, Backhouse Jones
Alison Edwards, Director of Policy & External Relations, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)
Andrew McGuiness, Regional Manager, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)
Richard Stevens, Managing Director, Go South West
Tim Taylor, Director, Public Transport Operations, West Yorkshire Weaver Network

The conference will also feature a panel discussion, giving attendees the chance to ask questions and hear first-hand perspectives from policy, operational, and legal experts.