Over 40% of Gatwick Airport’s 28,000 employees travel by public transport
Gatwick Airport is a major transport hub with the busiest railway station in the south east outside of London—it’s a key transport hub for both air passengers and commuters. To encourage their staff to travel sustainably, the Airport offers significant financial support to local bus operator Metrobus for the provision of services throughout the 24-hour working day. When the Airport needed to understand the detailed usage and value of those services, they brought us in to conduct a review.
Our approach? We considered the provision of bus and coach services in a zero-based review, starting from the first principles of meeting staff and passenger travel needs sustainably. The Airport was also interested in the potential role of innovative public transport options, including demand responsive transit. Ten new, longer-distance coach routes were developed and tested for viability, with recommendations for enhanced links to Kent and the Sussex Coast where rail links were not effective for staff or air passengers. The case for demand responsive transit was not proven in this specific context but was recommended to be kept under review as the market develops.
The final bus and coach strategy forms part of the Airport Surface Access Plan, with the key objectives, mix of services, and way forward agreed upon. The Airport will continue to focus on providing multi-mode sustainable transport choices for staff and air passengers to reduce single occupancy car journeys.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
-
- Gatwick Airport Limited
Dougie McDonald, Director of Growth and Integration
Our approach to transportation planning and design has rapid change in people’s mobility needs and addressing the climate emergency at its heart.
We’re better together
-
Become a client
Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.
-
Design your career
Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.