A travel plan coordinator prepares the Travel Plan that forms part of a planning condition or Section 106 obligation for larger commercial, residential and institutional developments. A Travel Plan sets quantified targets for reducing car trips, specifies the measures that will be implemented to achieve them, and commits the developer or occupier to annual monitoring and reporting. Travel Plan Coordinators work with developers, businesses, schools and public sector bodies to prepare, launch and maintain Travel Plans - bridging the gap between the planning condition requirement and the practical implementation of sustainable travel measures on the ground.
What they do
- Prepare Travel Plan documents for planning conditions and Section 106 obligations
- Set mode share targets negotiated with the highway authority
- Specify physical measures - cycle parking, showers, lockers and EV charging
- Design and manage staff or resident travel surveys
- Produce annual monitoring reports for the local planning authority
- Prepare school travel plans for new and expanding schools
- Develop employer sustainable travel programmes and campaigns
- Assist with BREEAM transport credits for commercial buildings
When you need one
A Travel Plan Coordinator is needed when a planning condition or Section 106 obligation requires a Travel Plan - most commonly for commercial developments, larger residential schemes and schools.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Travel Plan document preparation | £800 - £2,500 |
| Full Employer Travel Plan (large organisation) | £1,500 - £5,000 |
| School Travel Plan | £800 - £2,000 |
| Annual monitoring report | £400 - £900 |
| Travel Plan coordination retainer | £500 - £1,500 / year |
| Sustainable travel audit | £600 - £1,500 |
| Hourly rate | £60 - £100 / hr |
Annual monitoring is often a continuing commitment under the planning condition - budget for an ongoing coordinator appointment for the full 5-year monitoring period. Travel surveys can be an additional cost.
Qualifications to look for
TPS Practitioner status is common among travel plan coordinators working on planning applications. The TPS provides training and guidance on Travel Plan preparation and monitoring. Check membership at tps.org.uk.
Some travel plan coordinators hold MCIHT, particularly those who also prepare Transport Assessments or Transport Statements. MCIHT is recognised by highway authorities across the UK.
How to find a reputable travel plan coordinator
Frequently asked questions
What is a Travel Plan?
A Travel Plan is a package of measures to encourage sustainable travel to and from a site - including information and marketing, physical measures (cycle parking, showers, lockers), incentives (season ticket loans, car club membership, mileage reimbursement for cycling) and management measures (flexible working, car sharing schemes). Travel Plans are required as a planning condition for many larger developments and are typically secured by Section 106 planning obligation.
How long does a Travel Plan last?
A Travel Plan typically runs for 5 years from first occupation of the development, with annual monitoring and reporting. Some planning conditions and Section 106 obligations require Travel Plans to be maintained and monitored in perpetuity, or at least for the life of the development. The Travel Plan Coordinator reviews progress annually and takes corrective action if targets are not being met.
What are Travel Plan targets?
Travel Plan targets are quantified goals to reduce car use over the Travel Plan period - typically expressed as a target percentage of trips by car at year 1, year 3 and year 5. They are set in negotiation with the highway authority based on the development type, local public transport accessibility and the baseline mode share. The Travel Plan Coordinator monitors performance against targets through annual travel surveys and takes corrective action if targets are not being met.