Learning from the DevoLab #3: How devolution can improve transport connectivity

Improving transport connectivity is one of the central policy objectives of mayors across England. Mayoral strategic authorities hold a range of responsibilities for transport including producing local transport plans, regulating bus services and managing large, devolved transport budgets.

Given the importance of regional transport networks for driving growth and opportunity, the government plans to devolve further transport functions, including increasing the influence of mayoral strategic authorities over the rail network. 

There is therefore growing interest in how mayors can use their powers, budgets and authority to improve transport connectivity across and between their regions. 

So how can devolution improve transport connectivity? What approaches have been tried at the regional level to make progress in this policy domain? And what are the lessons that mayors and strategic authorities can learn from each other? 

To answer these questions, this policy briefing presents three case studies – from West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region – of how devolved powers have been used to improve connectivity, drawing on presentations delivered at a November 2025 DevoLab event in Leeds, hosted by the Institute for Government in partnership with Arup.

This publication forms part of the IfG DevoLab, an Institute for Government platform dedicated to exploring and learning from the policy and governance innovations that devolution enables.

Watch IfG DevoLab #3 on transport connectivity