The Passenger Transport Executive Group (pteg), representing the strategic transport bodies serving the six largest city regions outside London, has named its new chair.
Transport for Greater Manchester, chief executive, Dr Jon Lamonte will take over after David Brown's two-year term.
Dr Jon was the CEO of Tube Lines from 2011 – 12, including during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tube Lines, as part of Transport for London, was responsible for the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of the Underground infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
He has also worked extensively with the Ministry of Defence including as director of general finance for defence equipment and support - a £17bn a year procurement and logistics organisation.
Dr Lamonte said he wanted to work with colleagues to 'realise some of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for us in this new era of devolution to the city regions'.
'There’s a firm consensus around the need for high quality, integrated urban public transport networks that can underpin the key role that our cities play in driving regional economies and promoting growth. This is now matched by an understanding of the need to improve the strategic links between our cities through initiatives around High Speed Rail, Rail North, Midlands Connect and Transport for the North,' he added.
'My colleagues and I are right at the heart of turning these concepts into reality through delivering investment programmes which encompass mass transit and heavy rail systems, smart and integrated ticketing, better bus services and supporting active travel. We are also playing a key role in emerging and wider strategic bodies to transform the links between the city regions.
'At the same time we are keenly aware the pressure that we are all under on funding, and through the pteg network we will continue to seek ways to reduce costs through co-commissioning, sharing expertise and through making an effective collective case for greater investment and support for urban transport.’
