RIA has issued a submission to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee's inquiry into post-Coronavirus pandemic economic growth.

The submission highlights the need for:

• Restoring passenger confidence in public transport as the safest, cleanest and greenest form of transport is essential and will support sustainable growth. 
• Rail projects need to be sped up as part of the Government’s plans for the UK’s economic recovery following the Coronavirus outbreak.
• In the recovery period, it is even more important for the rail supply chain to have certainty and visibility of upcoming work.  
• A 30-year plan for rail and funding certainty for devolved transport bodies will support this. 
• Reducing ‘boom and bust’ in rail infrastructure work banks and rolling stock will give rail supply businesses the confidence to invest in skills and training, innovation and equipment.
• This will support the levelling up agenda creating opportunities across the UK. 
• Rail is the transport mode with the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK, achieving full decarbonisation in rail can support significant emission reductions in other transport modes through modal shift.