Challenge
The national bus strategy is a complex, multi-workstream programme demanding consistent, high-quality communication across internal teams and external partners.
Copper was brought in to:
- streamline internal communications across five programme workstreams
- enhance engagement with local transport authorities (LTA) and major bus operators (e.g. Arriva, Stagecoach and FirstGroup)
- support LTAs in developing effective bus service improvement plans (BSIP) to ultimately boost the number of bus passengers across England.
Approach
Copper has provided programme-wide, strategic communications support, including:
- internal communications – designing and implementing a cross-programme newsletter to close knowledge gaps between workstreams and foster collaboration
- best-practice sharing – produced engaging case studies to highlight successful BSIPs and drive quality and innovation across local delivery
- guidance development – creating user-friendly, visually led guidance documents for LTAs to support high-quality BSIP submissions
- operator engagement – developing a national survey to understand bus operators’ preferences for communication and engagement.
Copper has also supported Arup and the Department for Transport (DfT) in shaping a joined-up strategic approach for internal and external communications, including weekly media monitoring to inform programme direction.
Value delivered
- Enhanced collaboration across internal teams through regular, strategic communication
- Provided tools and resources to improve the quality and consistency of BSIPs nationally
- Strengthened engagement between the DfT, LTAs and operators, thereby helping align priorities and boost long-term outcomes
- Laid the groundwork for a unified approach to bus service reform across England, with continued support under way