Q: What does the future of transport look like? A: Write 500 words

House of Commons Transport Committee asks experts to pitch their ideas for an investigation

Do you have an idea for how the future of transport policy should be? If the answer is ‘yes’, then the House of Commons Transport Committee wants to hear from you.

The Transport Committee has launched ‘Our Future Transport’, an appeal for experts, researchers and innovative thinkers to share their ideas on what the committee should investigate for its next in-depth inquiry.

The cross-party committee regularly scrutinises government policy on transport and the way services are provided across the UK. This time, the MPs want to consider the impact that new and disruptive technologies and trends might have across all modes of transport. To help the committee look towards the future, members want to hear about subjects they may have never come across before, from people in the sector who are in the know about innovations that deserve more attention

The committee is inviting 500-word written proposals via its website to explain an idea for a subject the committee should investigate.

The proposals should make a strong case for:

• What the future of transport policy might look like?
• Why we should look at this future transport issue?
• Why it would benefit from scrutiny by the committee?
• Why it is important to look at it now?
• Why the government needs to take action?

The deadline for proposals is 12pm on Monday 6 February.

After receiving proposals, a shortlist of people who have submitted entries will be invited to present their ideas to the committee in person during a formal session.

The MPs will pick a winning proposal and launch an inquiry based on your suggestion, taking evidence, questioning ministers and learning more about what the future of transport might look like.

When making submissions, the committee suggests it is worth considering what the existing government policy is and how or why you think it might be changed or improved in the future. The MPs would be interested to know why you think they should give more attention to a new technology, trend or capability, and how it might impact travel and transport within the UK or international connections. Committee inquiries usually look at issues that impact the whole country, or areas where impact is disproportionate, and why.

Transport Committee chair Iain Stewart MP said: “My cross-party colleagues and I want to hear from you on what you think the Transport Committee should examine next. We are keen to pick ideas that will help us scan the horizon for what might be coming down the tracks. 

“If you know of an issue that would benefit from Parliamentary scrutiny – perhaps something we've never looked at before – then we would warmly welcome your short proposal for an inquiry. We look forward to hearing your ideas.”