Our Yorkshire and Humberside regional event explored the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the environment, attitudes towards public transport and ways in which public transport operators are responding to the crisis, one year on. The introduction of lockdown in the UK in March 2020 brought a number of changes to all our lives, including a reduction in travel, social distancing, and for some, a fear of using public transport. Public transport has a vital role to play in the UK achieving its ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2050, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned many away from using it and back towards their private vehicles. This session will featured a diverse range of speakers including: Sam Pollard, an Air Quality Consultant at Jacobs who will discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air quality and our progress towards meeting emissions targets. Dr Thomas Woolley, a Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics in Cardiff specialising in mathematical biology, who will discuss his research on social distancing and its impact on the environment. Cathie Folca, a Stakeholder Manager at Transport Focus working to bring improvements for transport users, who will discuss changes in public attitudes towards use of public transport as a result of the pandemic. Martin Hirst, Commercial Director for First West Yorkshire & York, who will outline the ways in which the public transport industry has responded to these challenges, with a focus on the bus industry. David Hurdle, a Transport Consultant with over 20 years’ experience, will outline the ways in we can help the public transport sector encourage us all to get back on board. With lockdown restrictions gradually easing, this joint workshop between IEMA and CILT (the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) brought together professional perspectives on a shared problem. This digital event was created for IEMA members based in the Yorkshire & Humberside Region, but members from other Regions were also welcome.
