Welcome to the Future Transport Forum 2025
The transport sector is on the cusp of significant change, driven by the need to decarbonise, level up access to mobility services, optimise the use of public streets and spaces and make transport networks more efficient.
The way we travel is also changing. Technology and innovation are blurring the distinctions between different types of vehicles and services, and increasing automation is providing new opportunities and challenges.
The Future Transport Forum 2025 will showcase the solutions that are being piloted across the UK's Future Transport Zones – and beyond.
About the Future Transport Zones
In 2020 the Government launched its Future of Transport regulatory review, a consultation to make journeys easier, smarter and greener; described as “the biggest shake-up of laws in a generation”.
Alongside the review, a £90 million funding boost was launched to trial new transport innovations through four Future Transport Zones (FTZs). These provide valuable real-world testing for experts, allowing them to work with a range of local bodies such as councils, hospitals, airports and universities to test innovative ways to transport people and goods. Future Transport Zones are underpinned by a set of core principles, viewable here.
Find out the latest from the Solent Future Transport Zone:
Micromobility schemes
The Solent FTZ micromobility schemes have had a positive impact on influencing sustainable travel habits, reducing congestion and improving air quality.
The Solent e-scooter scheme, ranking as the fifth largest and most widely used in the country, has been highly successful and has generated some of the highest levels of parking compliance nationally. In October 2022, a bike share scheme launched alongside the e-scooter trial to provide residents and visitors with a comprehensive micromobility service.
The Solent FTZ has provided valuable insight into creating effective and commercially viable micromobility schemes. In preparation for the e-scooter trial extension to 31 May 2026, Solent Transport and the contracting authorities have selected Voi as the sole micromobility operator across the Solent area. On 1st July 2024, Voi launched the new service adding e-bikes to its existing e-scooter operation in Southampton and Portsmouth, and launching an e-scooter and e-bike service on the Isle of Wight.
Breeze transport and travel super app
The rate at which Breeze, the UK’s first multi-city MaaS app has been delivered is significant. Developed for the Solent area, it is a revolutionary new way to plan, book and pay for your journeys across all transport types. This includes buses, trains, ferries, e-scooters, Beryl Bikes by Breeze and Enterprise Car Club. Breeze has gone from strength to strength over the last year and has seen a massive growth in users, now with more than 20,000 downloads, and recently achieving a Highly Commended Transport Ticketing Global award in the category of ‘Best MaaS Initiative’ and a Silver Award at the Public Sector Transformation Awards in the category of 'Best Use of Digital Technology and Data Insight’.
Dynamic Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT)
DDRT is a flexible method of public transport that involves picking people up and dropping them off on demand, usually in areas where commercial passenger transport services may not be viable. Solent Transport is piloting DDRT with two community transport operators in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight, before further rolling out the technology to services in Portsmouth and parts of Hampshire later in 2024. It is also exploring how DDRT functionality can be integrated into the Breeze app.
Mobility Credits
The Mobility Credits project is one of the largest trials in the UK looking at the impact monthly mobility credits have on access to work, education and essential services. Findings from the 760 participants in the trial from the baseline survey show that 84% do not have access to a vehicle and 89% of participants identify as female, a usually hard-to-reach audience for transport and mobility trials. The project was fully rolled out in February 2024 and early findings will be shared at the Conference.
A bright future for the Solent
The Solent Future Transport Zone has been awarded £28.8m from the DfT to run numerous tests and trials of innovative solutions around personal mobility and freight across the Solent area. It encompasses South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester.
"In the last year, the Solent Future Transport Zone has made remarkable steps forward in turning Future Transport from a concept to a reality - we have some exciting findings and have identified new challenges that the industry will face. The Solent area remains at the forefront of transformative travel solutions as we continue to deliver improvements in connectivity, trial sustainable initiatives and address the evolving needs of our area"
Conrad Haigh
Solent Transport Manager
The four-year programme aims to address local challenges such as high levels of car usage and the environmental impacts of freight movement within the Solent’s urban areas. It will do this by delivering a series of complementary projects within two key themes: personal mobility and sustainable urban logistics. The FTZ works closely with bus, train, ferry and hovercraft companies, ensuring the whole region, residents and visitors will benefit from its trials and innovation.
As the trials take place, the team are conducting cutting-edge research, capturing vital data and collating feedback to understand how these innovations are improving transport options and the way people travel. The Solent FTZ programme is funded until June 2025.
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