Rob Johnson
@rjson.bsky.social
Analyst, Centre for Cities. All things urban economics - mainly skills & labour markets, living standards, transport, and innovation. Fan of working with data and visualising it.
Pinned
Big cities like Birmingham could get many more people well connected to its city centre by a 30 minute public transport journey.
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
Away from the headlines of the Railways Bill, the piece of legislation could be the missing piece of the puzzle for big cities to have truly integrated public transport.
Lots of details to be set yet. But not recognising the economic role of commuter rail would be a mis-step at this early stage 👇
Lots of details to be set yet. But not recognising the economic role of commuter rail would be a mis-step at this early stage 👇
November 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Away from the headlines of the Railways Bill, the piece of legislation could be the missing piece of the puzzle for big cities to have truly integrated public transport.
Lots of details to be set yet. But not recognising the economic role of commuter rail would be a mis-step at this early stage 👇
Lots of details to be set yet. But not recognising the economic role of commuter rail would be a mis-step at this early stage 👇
This map shows how it is more frequent buses that will extend the reach of Newcastle's public transport system.
A lot of this can be achieved through the mayor's plans for bus franchising.
Have a play around with our data tool and 'be the mayor' to see the impact of integration in more detail 👇
A lot of this can be achieved through the mayor's plans for bus franchising.
Have a play around with our data tool and 'be the mayor' to see the impact of integration in more detail 👇
With integrated modes, increased bus frequency and reduced journey times #Newcastle could see 170,700 more people connected to the city centre 📢
November 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
This map shows how it is more frequent buses that will extend the reach of Newcastle's public transport system.
A lot of this can be achieved through the mayor's plans for bus franchising.
Have a play around with our data tool and 'be the mayor' to see the impact of integration in more detail 👇
A lot of this can be achieved through the mayor's plans for bus franchising.
Have a play around with our data tool and 'be the mayor' to see the impact of integration in more detail 👇
With Merseyrail already under local control, and bus franchising soon to be completed, the future looks bright for integrated transport in Liverpool.
Our modelling suggests the city could see an increase in city centre connectivity by a third, just through improvements on its existing network
Our modelling suggests the city could see an increase in city centre connectivity by a third, just through improvements on its existing network
With integrated modes, increased bus frequency and reduced journey times #Liverpool could see 160,400 more people connected to the city centre 📢
November 7, 2025 at 10:12 AM
With Merseyrail already under local control, and bus franchising soon to be completed, the future looks bright for integrated transport in Liverpool.
Our modelling suggests the city could see an increase in city centre connectivity by a third, just through improvements on its existing network
Our modelling suggests the city could see an increase in city centre connectivity by a third, just through improvements on its existing network
English or Dijon?
Depends on if we're talking condiments or local transport systems.
Thankfully (where I relish the opportunity) Caitlin refrains from such cliches in this blog, and shows it is English cities, not Dijon, that are exceptional (not in a good way) for integrated transport.
Depends on if we're talking condiments or local transport systems.
Thankfully (where I relish the opportunity) Caitlin refrains from such cliches in this blog, and shows it is English cities, not Dijon, that are exceptional (not in a good way) for integrated transport.
Dijon is the inspiration behind the upcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy.
What should the metro mayors learn from its success?
Read the blog 👇
buff.ly/5YB16fY
What should the metro mayors learn from its success?
Read the blog 👇
buff.ly/5YB16fY
What can the metro mayors learn from transport in Dijon? - Centre for Cities
Dijon is the inspiration behind the upcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy. What should the metro mayors learn from its success?
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 9:52 AM
English or Dijon?
Depends on if we're talking condiments or local transport systems.
Thankfully (where I relish the opportunity) Caitlin refrains from such cliches in this blog, and shows it is English cities, not Dijon, that are exceptional (not in a good way) for integrated transport.
Depends on if we're talking condiments or local transport systems.
Thankfully (where I relish the opportunity) Caitlin refrains from such cliches in this blog, and shows it is English cities, not Dijon, that are exceptional (not in a good way) for integrated transport.
Encouraging, and a positive signal that govt is taking big city transport integration seriously.
It's the right focus for Manchester too - our modelling suggests better rail/tram integration would have the single biggest impact on connectivity.
Ticketing soon, hopefully timetables next in 2026
It's the right focus for Manchester too - our modelling suggests better rail/tram integration would have the single biggest impact on connectivity.
Ticketing soon, hopefully timetables next in 2026
November 6, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Encouraging, and a positive signal that govt is taking big city transport integration seriously.
It's the right focus for Manchester too - our modelling suggests better rail/tram integration would have the single biggest impact on connectivity.
Ticketing soon, hopefully timetables next in 2026
It's the right focus for Manchester too - our modelling suggests better rail/tram integration would have the single biggest impact on connectivity.
Ticketing soon, hopefully timetables next in 2026
Big cities like Birmingham could get many more people well connected to its city centre by a 30 minute public transport journey.
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
November 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Big cities like Birmingham could get many more people well connected to its city centre by a 30 minute public transport journey.
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
What to see how I turned thousands of live buses into charts like this? And what it all means for mayors wanting to integrate their public transport systems?
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
November 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM
What to see how I turned thousands of live buses into charts like this? And what it all means for mayors wanting to integrate their public transport systems?
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Join us for the launch of our new report exploring how transport integration could improve public transport 🚀
We will be joined by @ruthcadbury.bsky.social MP, Rebecca Fuller of @utg-uk.bsky.social,
@rjson.bsky.social and @andrewcities.bsky.social.
Register your place👇
buff.ly/UIMm8MD
We will be joined by @ruthcadbury.bsky.social MP, Rebecca Fuller of @utg-uk.bsky.social,
@rjson.bsky.social and @andrewcities.bsky.social.
Register your place👇
buff.ly/UIMm8MD
October 27, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Join us for the launch of our new report exploring how transport integration could improve public transport 🚀
We will be joined by @ruthcadbury.bsky.social MP, Rebecca Fuller of @utg-uk.bsky.social,
@rjson.bsky.social and @andrewcities.bsky.social.
Register your place👇
buff.ly/UIMm8MD
We will be joined by @ruthcadbury.bsky.social MP, Rebecca Fuller of @utg-uk.bsky.social,
@rjson.bsky.social and @andrewcities.bsky.social.
Register your place👇
buff.ly/UIMm8MD
Want to find out how many more people could access city centres if mayors integrated their public transport networks? Or at least justify me tracking tens of thousands of buses over the last few months? Sign up below 🚌🚌🚌
📅Join Centre for Cities for the launch of a new report exploring how transport integration could improve public transport and support economic growth in England's six Established Mayoral Combined Authorities 🚌
Register👇
buff.ly/UIMm8MD
Register👇
buff.ly/UIMm8MD
October 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Want to find out how many more people could access city centres if mayors integrated their public transport networks? Or at least justify me tracking tens of thousands of buses over the last few months? Sign up below 🚌🚌🚌
Reposted by Rob Johnson
I don't understand what is going on with sub-national productivity data in the UK. @centreforcities.bsky.social doing their best here, but I'd be wary drawing any substantive conclusions: www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
How productive are the UK’s big cities? - Centre for Cities
This briefing dives into the latest subregional productivity data to understand the trends over the past 20 years and what it can tell us about local and national economic performance
www.centreforcities.org
October 20, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I don't understand what is going on with sub-national productivity data in the UK. @centreforcities.bsky.social doing their best here, but I'd be wary drawing any substantive conclusions: www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Re-upping last week's blog in light of the expected announcement on 'V-levels' for post-16 qualifications.
If this is standardisation for school students looking to do vocational subjects, the next place to look is post-18 learning, where there may be an urban-focused gap left by polytechnics 👇
If this is standardisation for school students looking to do vocational subjects, the next place to look is post-18 learning, where there may be an urban-focused gap left by polytechnics 👇
October 20, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Re-upping last week's blog in light of the expected announcement on 'V-levels' for post-16 qualifications.
If this is standardisation for school students looking to do vocational subjects, the next place to look is post-18 learning, where there may be an urban-focused gap left by polytechnics 👇
If this is standardisation for school students looking to do vocational subjects, the next place to look is post-18 learning, where there may be an urban-focused gap left by polytechnics 👇
Is there a polytechnic-shaped hole in post-18 learning?
With constraints in HE alongside room to grow in FE at present, Labour can learn from the past role of polys - targeting urban-focused vocational learning - to have a chance of meeting the two-thirds target in the future.
Have a read 👇
With constraints in HE alongside room to grow in FE at present, Labour can learn from the past role of polys - targeting urban-focused vocational learning - to have a chance of meeting the two-thirds target in the future.
Have a read 👇
October 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Is there a polytechnic-shaped hole in post-18 learning?
With constraints in HE alongside room to grow in FE at present, Labour can learn from the past role of polys - targeting urban-focused vocational learning - to have a chance of meeting the two-thirds target in the future.
Have a read 👇
With constraints in HE alongside room to grow in FE at present, Labour can learn from the past role of polys - targeting urban-focused vocational learning - to have a chance of meeting the two-thirds target in the future.
Have a read 👇
Miracle or mirage? Key chart in our latest report on the productivity performance of big cities over the last two decades.
Short answer - there has been convergence, reflecting secondary cities catching up alongside London's stagnation. But better local statistics are vital for sensible discussion
Short answer - there has been convergence, reflecting secondary cities catching up alongside London's stagnation. But better local statistics are vital for sensible discussion
The labour inputs data is more odd. It's remained stable partly as self-employment data has fallen off a cliff, which has boosted productivity estimates.
But is inconsistent with HMRC tax records on self employment, which haven't declined.
But is inconsistent with HMRC tax records on self employment, which haven't declined.
October 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Miracle or mirage? Key chart in our latest report on the productivity performance of big cities over the last two decades.
Short answer - there has been convergence, reflecting secondary cities catching up alongside London's stagnation. But better local statistics are vital for sensible discussion
Short answer - there has been convergence, reflecting secondary cities catching up alongside London's stagnation. But better local statistics are vital for sensible discussion
Both articles with good points on university spin-outs: the issue isn't start-ups but scale-ups in the UK (no doubt because of big city underperformance); and limits of the science-park model. And our recent work: universities have less impact on local innovation than you might think (even Oxbridge)
October 3, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Both articles with good points on university spin-outs: the issue isn't start-ups but scale-ups in the UK (no doubt because of big city underperformance); and limits of the science-park model. And our recent work: universities have less impact on local innovation than you might think (even Oxbridge)
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Very nice piece on the evidence on getting a university degree in the UK by @amyborrett.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/3df3...
www.ft.com/content/3df3...
No, the UK has not reached ‘peak graduate’
The salary and non-salary data show degrees still deliver for students in the long run
www.ft.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Very nice piece on the evidence on getting a university degree in the UK by @amyborrett.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/3df3...
www.ft.com/content/3df3...
Reposted by Rob Johnson
I've written in The MJ with Patrick Diamond about London devolution.
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...
Stronger devo can solve the London problem
Before Labour entered Downing Street in July last year, the Conservatives had a fractious relationship with London's mayor. The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps,...
www.themj.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 7:39 AM
I've written in The MJ with Patrick Diamond about London devolution.
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...
Branch campuses are popping up in university 'coldspots'. Would attracting one in be a good way to achieve local growth?
Possibly. Though often these outposts only pop up in places already with an offer - specific strengths in their local economy. Worth investing in these first.
👇
Possibly. Though often these outposts only pop up in places already with an offer - specific strengths in their local economy. Worth investing in these first.
👇
September 23, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Branch campuses are popping up in university 'coldspots'. Would attracting one in be a good way to achieve local growth?
Possibly. Though often these outposts only pop up in places already with an offer - specific strengths in their local economy. Worth investing in these first.
👇
Possibly. Though often these outposts only pop up in places already with an offer - specific strengths in their local economy. Worth investing in these first.
👇
Happy that our work on universities is the basis for a thoughtful Guardian editorial on the state of the sector.
In economic terms, 'universities are not ivory towers'. Reforms to the sector are a part the mission to deliver growth across the country - it is up to Government to recognise that.
In economic terms, 'universities are not ivory towers'. Reforms to the sector are a part the mission to deliver growth across the country - it is up to Government to recognise that.
The Guardian view on university finances: stop chipping away at a crumbling system | Editorial
Editorial: Economic and academic activity are bound up together. Charging international students more for less will not fix deep-seated problems
www.theguardian.com
September 9, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Happy that our work on universities is the basis for a thoughtful Guardian editorial on the state of the sector.
In economic terms, 'universities are not ivory towers'. Reforms to the sector are a part the mission to deliver growth across the country - it is up to Government to recognise that.
In economic terms, 'universities are not ivory towers'. Reforms to the sector are a part the mission to deliver growth across the country - it is up to Government to recognise that.
Reposted by Rob Johnson
NEW on Wonkhe: Regulatory and financial incentives are harming growth. James Coe sets out why it's time to reform them. buff.ly/fPVFJ8y
September 8, 2025 at 11:15 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: Regulatory and financial incentives are harming growth. James Coe sets out why it's time to reform them. buff.ly/fPVFJ8y
There is plenty to like about this pledge to help universities diversify income. But it really doesn't tackle the wider issues they face, or recognise their primary local roles in their home cities.
My blog on last week's announcement 👇
My blog on last week's announcement 👇
September 8, 2025 at 9:35 AM
There is plenty to like about this pledge to help universities diversify income. But it really doesn't tackle the wider issues they face, or recognise their primary local roles in their home cities.
My blog on last week's announcement 👇
My blog on last week's announcement 👇
See also: balancing objectives between immigration policy and ambitions to deliver growth everywhere.
E.g. Look at all the cities more reliant on unis for international exports (i.e. overseas fees and local spending) than Oxford.
Place-based impact cannot be ignored
E.g. Look at all the cities more reliant on unis for international exports (i.e. overseas fees and local spending) than Oxford.
Place-based impact cannot be ignored
September 5, 2025 at 8:12 AM
See also: balancing objectives between immigration policy and ambitions to deliver growth everywhere.
E.g. Look at all the cities more reliant on unis for international exports (i.e. overseas fees and local spending) than Oxford.
Place-based impact cannot be ignored
E.g. Look at all the cities more reliant on unis for international exports (i.e. overseas fees and local spending) than Oxford.
Place-based impact cannot be ignored
This article is an excellent write up of our work on universities and their economic role in UK cities.
A balanced account on what they can (and can't) do in local economies, and a recognition that any reforms to the sector must take place into consideration.
A balanced account on what they can (and can't) do in local economies, and a recognition that any reforms to the sector must take place into consideration.
'underpinning all of this is an inescapable truth. Government policy, particularly on international students, risks destroying economic activity in the places that desperately benefit from university.'
Universities can't solve every problem with the economy
Universities make places richer but not in the same way everywhere
wonkhe.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:20 AM
This article is an excellent write up of our work on universities and their economic role in UK cities.
A balanced account on what they can (and can't) do in local economies, and a recognition that any reforms to the sector must take place into consideration.
A balanced account on what they can (and can't) do in local economies, and a recognition that any reforms to the sector must take place into consideration.
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Good briefing.
As I always say, in England's poorest region - the north east - there are three times as many jobs in higher education than there are in the manufacture of motor vehicles.
As I always say, in England's poorest region - the north east - there are three times as many jobs in higher education than there are in the manufacture of motor vehicles.
NEW BRIEFING | Town and gown 🏙️🎓
How do local universities contribute to cities’ economic development as high-skilled employers, international exporters, catalysts for city-centre regeneration and innovators?
Read the briefing 🔎👇
buff.ly/qhkNzSi
How do local universities contribute to cities’ economic development as high-skilled employers, international exporters, catalysts for city-centre regeneration and innovators?
Read the briefing 🔎👇
buff.ly/qhkNzSi
September 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Good briefing.
As I always say, in England's poorest region - the north east - there are three times as many jobs in higher education than there are in the manufacture of motor vehicles.
As I always say, in England's poorest region - the north east - there are three times as many jobs in higher education than there are in the manufacture of motor vehicles.
Reposted by Rob Johnson
An important point from @centreforcities.bsky.social on the uneven impact of the university crisis. While bigger universities matter for the national impact, the local economic impact will be bigger where smaller universities dominate their local economy www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Town and gown: The role of universities in city economies - Centre for Cities
This briefing sets out how local universities contribute to cities’ economic development as high-skilled employers, international exporters, catalysts for city-centre regeneration and innovators.
www.centreforcities.org
September 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM
An important point from @centreforcities.bsky.social on the uneven impact of the university crisis. While bigger universities matter for the national impact, the local economic impact will be bigger where smaller universities dominate their local economy www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Our new briefing is about the role of universities in their local economies.
The short version is - places don't need a university to be prosperous, but where cities have them they are sizable chunk of the local knowledge economy.
The short version is - places don't need a university to be prosperous, but where cities have them they are sizable chunk of the local knowledge economy.
September 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Our new briefing is about the role of universities in their local economies.
The short version is - places don't need a university to be prosperous, but where cities have them they are sizable chunk of the local knowledge economy.
The short version is - places don't need a university to be prosperous, but where cities have them they are sizable chunk of the local knowledge economy.