Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has joined the Transport Planning Society (TPS) as a Stakeholder Member.
TfGM applied for membership to benefit from the networking, training and professional development opportunities that the society provides, as well as assistance with recruitment. In addition, as the largest passenger transport executive outside of London, TfGM will use its membership to share best practice on a national and international basis.
With a recent influx of graduates strengthening TfGM’s own transport strategy and highways planning teams, a particular draw has been the structured approach to early career development that the society’s Professional Development Scheme enables.
More organisational growth is anticipated as a result of devolution, which will see Greater Manchester taking more control of decisions and budgets for transport services and investment plans, within an overall framework of the emerging ‘Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040’. The support the TPS can offer with advertising job vacancies and the opportunities to discuss and share experiences with the industry while planning and implementing ground-breaking projects will be valued.
Speaking about TfGM’s membership, Dave Newton, TfGM’s Transport Strategy Director, said: “As an organisation, our strength lies in our ability to work closely with others – from professionals to stakeholders - with a willingness to learn. Becoming a Stakeholder Member of the TPS provides us with a great platform for learning, educating and improving.
“We are delighted to be working with the Transport Planning Society to enhance our capabilities in transport planning, at a critical time for the organisation’s development.”
The Transport Planning Society aims to facilitate, develop and promote best practice in transport planning.
Founded in London in 1994, the TPS brought local government representatives, academics, transport planners and consultants together, bringing structure to a previously informal arrangement. The inaugural meeting was held in London in 1997 and to date the society has over 1000 members.
Along with TfGM, other stakeholders include Intelligent Data, Sustrans, Metro (West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive) and Matchtech.