Training & Skills Development

Information on qualifications and training courses for bus sector professionals is listed below.

To find out more about specific upcoming webinars, check out our Events section.

Are there other qualifications or training courses you would like to see listed? Please Contact Us!

Free Recorded Webinars

Analyse Bus Open Data (ABOD) Webinar Series

Analyse Bus Open Data (ABOD) is an extension service to the Bus Open Data Service (BODS), that provides free-to-access reporting and analytics to operators and authorities nationally. Analyse Bus Open Data is part of the Department for Transport’s ongoing investment in bus services, and supports the National Bus Strategy, by helping government, local authorities, and bus operators to: perform existing bus data analysis in faster and easier ways; produce more accurate and detailed performance analysis reports; improve on collaboration between different organisations; identify network improvement opportunities; inform transport policy and compliance monitoring across the industry.

Follow this link to access the webinars.

Bus Back Better Webinar Series

In January 2022, England’s Economic Heartland, Transport East and Transport for the South East were awarded funding to support local transport authorities with the delivery of their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) and Enhanced Partnerships (EPs). This funding supported all local transport authorities by providing support needed to deliver on commitments in the Government’s Bus Back Better strategy and to develop an effective intra-regional bus network.

Following a process of engagement with the local authorities from across three STB areas, eleven packages of support have been developed, which can be accessed using the following link.

The series involves training on:

  1. Fares and ticketing

  2. Data analysis, monitoring and evaluation

  3. Low cost and quick wins

  4. Building a strong case

  5. Bus infrastructure guidance

  6. Demand Responsive Transport

  7. Rural hubs and integration

  8. Funding mechanisms

  9. Collaborative working and bus forums

  10. Marketing

  11. Alternative/low-emission fuels

Bus Service Commissioning and Operations (BSCO) Practitioners Certificate

The new Bus Service Commissioning and Operations (BSCO) qualification was launched in September this year and the first few cohorts were fully funded by the government and offered to officers in the public sector. We are pleased to announce that places are now being offered to anyone in the wider public transport community. The course runs for 24 weeks and is a mix of independent e-learning and digital classrooms with trainers.

Bookings for the next cohort need to be made before 12th December 2024 and are currently offered at the discounted rate of £2,000 per person.

Who is it For?

The course is being delivered by PTRC and accredited by the CILT(UK). The BSCO learning programme is designed for those working in local authorities with public transport responsibilities, bus operators and the wider profession to support the effective implementation of the strategy to get the better services that passengers need. 

What Are the Expected BSCO Learning Outcomes?

Topics and themes covered in the learning programme are relevant to both local authorities and bus operators and deliver skills, knowledge and understanding leading to closer working relationships and successful partnerships.

You can find further details about the qualification and booking instructions at the following link:
www.ptrc-training.co.uk/bsco