Transport for the South East

What Transport for the South East does

Transport for the South East (TfSE) is a Sub-national Transport Body established in 2017 to provide strategic transport planning leadership for South East England. It operates as a public-sector partnership comprising 16 Local Transport Authorities across Berkshire, Kent, Medway, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove, alongside district and borough councils, protected landscapes, and national delivery agencies (National Highways, Network Rail, Transport for London). TfSE does not deliver transport services directly; instead it sets long-term strategic direction through a Transport Strategy (originally published 2020, refreshed and formally adopted in autumn 2025 around five priority missions), a Strategic Investment Plan prioritising interventions through 2050, and thematic strategies covering active travel, electric vehicle charging, freight and logistics, rail, future mobility, and decarbonisation.

The organisation's core "products" are strategic planning documents, policy frameworks, and the Centre of Excellence (CoE), an online knowledge-sharing platform launched in 2024 that currently supports 300 Local Transport Authority officers through webinars, case studies, and a chat forum. Underlying capability rests on an Analytical Framework, a Regional Travel Survey (2024/25 edition), an Economic Connectivity Review (2018), and a Prioritisation Framework used to rank Strategic Investment Plan schemes on strategic fit, deliverability, and impact. Supporting tools include an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Visualiser and a Carbon Assessment Playbook co-developed with other Sub-national Transport Bodies. A small secretariat (11-50 staff) is hosted by East Sussex County Council at County Hall, Lewes.

TfSE is funded through government grants and contributions from constituent local authorities; it does not generate commercial revenue or sell services. Its go-to-market motion is sales-led in the public-sector sense, engaging 16 partner authorities, national agencies, and an independent Transport Forum to advocate for South East transport investment. Recent milestones include the £367 million multi-year bus funding announcement (December 2025), £99.6 million of active travel funding (December 2025), and the March 2026 approval of the refreshed Strategic Investment Plan.

Name

Transport for the South East

Legal name

Transport for the South East

Website

https://transportforthesoutheast.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Transport for the South East is a UK Sub-national Transport Body established in 2017 that convenes 16 local authorities and national agencies to set regional transport strategy, prioritise infrastructure investment through 2050, and build capacity for Local Transport Authorities across the South East of England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Transport Planning

NAICS

Support Activities for Transportation (488), Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation & Infrastructure Planning (BPAHAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Urban Rail Transit Authorities & Public Transport Agencies (THAIABAD)

Keywords

• Strategic transport planning
• Regional transport policy
• Transport infrastructure investment
• Sub-national transport body
• Transport decarbonisation strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Lewes

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: TfSE is a public-sector body funded through government grants and contributions from constituent local authorities. The organization does not generate commercial revenue but receives public funding to support its transport planning and strategic development activities across the South East region.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Transport for the South East is the Sub-national Transport Body for the South East of England, producing strategic transport planning deliverables — including a regional Transport Strategy, a 30-year Strategic Investment Plan, thematic sub-strategies (rail, active travel, EV charging, freight, decarbonisation, future mobility), and research reports — and operates the Centre of Excellence online platform that supports 300 Local Transport Authority officers. The organisation does not deliver transport services directly but sets evidence-based regional priorities and advocates for investment with central government on behalf of its 16 constituent local authorities.

Product overview

Transport for the South East (TfSE) is a Sub-national Transport Body that serves as a strategic partnership organization rather than a product company. Its offerings consist of policy frameworks, strategic planning documents, and an online knowledge-sharing platform. The core products include the Transport Strategy (originally published 2020, refreshed 2025), the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), and the Centre of Excellence online platform. Supporting products include thematic strategies (Active Travel, EV Charging Infrastructure, Freight & Logistics, Decarbonisation, Future Mobility), the Economic Connectivity Review, Regional Travel Survey, State of the Region Report, and Rail Strategy. These are planning and policy documents designed to guide transport infrastructure investment across the South East region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transport Strategy TfSE's flagship regional transport planning document setting out the shared vision for a better connected, more prosperous and sustainable South East, organised around five priority missions. Originally published in 2020 and refreshed/adopted in 2025.
• Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) Framework for investment in strategic transport infrastructure, services and regulatory interventions from present to 2050, identifying and prioritising interventions and policies needed to achieve the Transport Strategy vision across highway, rail, public transport and active travel.
• Centre of Excellence (CoE) Online platform designed with Local Transport Authorities to share knowledge, build skills and provide practical support. Currently supports 300 LTA officers via bespoke webinars, case studies, resources on best practice, and a chat forum, covering topics such as AI in transport planning and bus devolution.
• Economic Connectivity Review Research report analysing current and future economic activity in the South East and its connections to major centres beyond the region, identifying where transport investment may yield the greatest economic benefits. Published in July 2018.
• State of the Region Report Periodic report assessing the current position of the South East across key economic, social and environmental metrics, with the second edition published in October 2025.
• Regional Travel Survey Comprehensive travel survey gathering data on travel patterns and behaviours across the South East region; the most recent edition covers 2024/25.
• Rail Strategy TfSE's comprehensive strategy for rail connectivity and development across the South East, approved by the Partnership Board in February 2026.
• Active Travel Strategy and Action Plan (RATSAP)

Quantifiable outcome

• £228bn annual contribution to UK economy from South East region
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Transport EastminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Another Sub-national Transport Body. TfSE is engaging with the Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence led by Transport East to understand unique needs of rural communities across the South East.
• Homes EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Government body responsible for increasing housing supply. TfSE works with Homes England to identify opportunities for forward funding sustainable transport investment as a means of enabling sustainable growth.
• Department for TransportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Central government department responsible for transport policy. The DfT asked Sub-national Transport Bodies to deliver Centres of Excellence and provides funding guidance for Local Transport Plans and transport infrastructure.
• National HighwayscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017National delivery agency partner responsible for the Strategic Road Network. TfSE collaborates with National Highways to shape the Roads Investment Strategy and align investment with South East priorities, including junction upgrades and new road links addressing regional challenges such as congestion and freight movement.
• Network RailcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Rail infrastructure manager for the South East region. TfSE works with Network Rail to enhance rail connectivity and reliability, focusing on decarbonisation and improved access to international gateways. Collaboration includes strategic rail planning and resilience improvements.
• Transport for LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Strategic partner ensuring alignment of transport planning across regional boundaries. TfSE coordinates with TfL on cross-regional connectivity, particularly for journeys involving London and the South East.
• West Sussex County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Constituent local transport authority and TfSE partner, contributing to regional transport strategy development and implementation within West Sussex.
• Kent County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Constituent local transport authority and TfSE partner, key to the Kent Bifurcation Strategy and resilience planning for Channel crossings.
• Hampshire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Constituent local transport authority and TfSE partner, involved in Solent area transport planning including rapid transit and rail improvements.
• Surrey County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Constituent local transport authority and TfSE partner contributing to South East regional transport planning and connectivity improvements.
• East Sussex County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Host authority for TfSE, providing administrative support. East Sussex County Council is a core constituent partner in the regional transport body.
• Southampton City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner involved in Solent area transport planning, including Southampton mass transit and station improvements.
• Portsmouth City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner contributing to South East Hampshire Rapid Transit and Portsmouth rail connectivity planning.
• Isle of Wight CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Island unitary authority partner, involved in ferry connectivity improvements and sustainable transport solutions for the Isle of Wight.
• Medway CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner involved in Kent coastal transport planning, including North Kent Mass Transit and Hoo Peninsula rail access.
• Brighton and Hove City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner involved in Sussex Coast Mass Transit planning and South Coast rail connectivity improvements.
• Reading Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner contributing to Thames Valley Mass Transit planning and A4 corridor improvements.
• Slough Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner involved in Thames Valley area transport planning and cross-boundary connectivity.
• Royal Borough of Windsor and MaidenheadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner contributing to Thames Valley transport planning and A4 corridor connectivity.
• West Berkshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner in the Berkshire region, contributing to Western Berkshire transport planning.
• Bracknell Forest CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner in Berkshire, involved in Bracknell/Wokingham area bus enhancements and mass transit planning.
• Wokingham Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Unitary authority partner contributing to Thames Valley Mass Transit planning.
• Active Travel EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017National body promoting sustainable travel through active travel infrastructure. TfSE works with Active Travel England on the development of the Regional Active Travel Strategy and Action Plan.
• SustransminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Charity enabling people to travel on foot, by bike or by public transport. Collaboration on active travel infrastructure and the National Cycle Network in the South East.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Transport East: Sub-national Transport Body for the East of England. TfSE is already engaging with Transport East's Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence, indicating overlapping remit and shared best practice in regional transport planning.
• Peninsula Transport: Sub-national Transport Body for the South West Peninsula (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset), focused on regional transport strategy, investment prioritisation, and advocacy to central government - directly comparable to TfSE's role.
• Western Gateway: STB covering South West England and South Wales, performing the equivalent sub-national strategic transport planning, evidence base, and investment prioritisation function for its member authorities.
• England's Economic Heartland: STB covering the Oxford-Cambridge arc, with the same mix of transport strategy, strategic investment planning, and partnership working with local authorities, National Highways, and Network Rail.
• Transport for the North: Sub-national Transport Body covering the North of England with a near-identical remit of strategic transport planning, evidence base development, and government advocacy across 20 local authority partners. Closest functional analogue to TfSE.
• Midlands Connect: Sub-national Transport Body for the West Midlands and East Midlands, performing the same STB role of producing transport strategies, investment plans, and evidence packs for a large multi-authority region.

Broad incumbents

• Transport for London: Statutory regional transport authority with both strategic and operational remit in London. Compares to TfSE on the strategic planning and cross-regional coordination dimensions, though TfL directly operates services while TfSE does not.
• Transport Scotland: National transport agency for Scotland with responsibility for strategic transport policy, investment planning, and oversight of transport operators. Useful peer for understanding how a sub-national transport body scales into an integrated planning and delivery role.

Others

• Sustrans: UK charity delivering active travel infrastructure and the National Cycle Network; a listed TfSE partner on active travel. Adjacent, not a competitor, but comparable in operating Centre of Excellence-style programmes and influencing active travel investment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/transportfse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3G272zNHO2bTmuAdxQgGbQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/TransportForTheSouthEast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/transport-for-the-south-east

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Transport for the South East