During the last five years there have been substantial changes in bus sevice provision, and in the sophistication of technologies available to enhance service performance; including the widespread introduction of low floor vehicles, availability of real-time technology, and the creation of quality routes and corridors. The pace of many of these initiatives has increased significantly in the last two years and it is now an appropriate time to take stock and review experience.

There is also an increasing awareness that, whilst service reliability is paramount in keeping passengers, the concept of reliability also extends to 'soft' factors such as vehicle cleanliness, vehicle quality and the skills and attitudes of customer-facing staff. Service quality also includes providing the customer with extra value over and above just the bus journey itself, making the whole end-to-end journey easier through, for instance, improved ticketing, fares and information products.

This conference will bring together some of the key players who are breaking new ground in achieving bus service quality, to provide an event that gives valuable practical and transferable lessons for those involved in delivering, specifying or partnering in the provision of bus services.

Speakers include:

Patrick Troy, Head of Traffic Enforcement, TfL; Iain Greenshields, Project Manager, Land Services, Glasgow City Council and John Birtwistle, Projects Director, Business Development, First; Peter Huntley, Director, The TAS Partnership Ltd; Roger French, Managing Director, Brighton & hove Bus & Coach; Tony Depledge, Development Director, Arriva Passenger Services; James Freeman, Operations Director, Stagecoach South Midlands; Claire Haigh, Projects Director, Journey Solutions; Dick Halle, Director of Strategy - Surface Transport, TfL; David Lewry, Principal Office - Policy and Projects, Transport Co-ordinator, Cheshire County Council; Inglis Lyon, Managing Director, Stagecoach East; Peter Edwards, Commercial Manager, First in York; Matthew Bradley, Group Marketing Manager, Go-Ahead Group plc