Welcome to Scotland’s Buses 2024. This special publication from Passenger Transport places the spotlight on Scotland’s bus and coach industry and its partners, celebrates their achievements and considers the challenges they face. Published in association with CPT for a seventh time, this year’s edition incorporates the official Conference Workbook for...
Issue 320 of Passenger Transport is published on September 6. Contents include: LEAD STORY Will this be Labour’s blueprint for transport? ‘We have a unique opportunity to reshape our transport infrastructure,’ says chair of review commissioned by the party in opposition in December NEWS Haigh promises reform...
‘We have a unique opportunity to reshape our transport infrastructure,’ says chair of review commissioned by the party in opposition in December The review calls for an ambitious transport infrastructure plan to ensure a greener, more inclusive, and efficient UK transport network A report commissioned by the Labour...
It’s not unusual to see contradictory policy positions across government when it comes to transport, but I’d hoped for better The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, seems willing to grab at any private finance that is around for transport projects, even if this runs contrary to government policy on, for...
It’s ‘Catch the Bus Month’ and we’re asking bus operators to pick up the pace of change in making their services accessible to all Caroline Stickland is the CEO of Transport for All Almost 30 years on from the laws that made buses accessible in the UK,...
September is ‘Catch the Bus Month’ – and I believe that there are many reasons why we all should, from the rational to the romantic Catch the Bus Month: I’m on board! September is here and as the leaves turn brown and gold, the nights draw in...
Minister talks up role of buses, as CPT seeks action on journey times Jim Fairlie: the future of the industry in Scotland is incredibly bright Scotland’s minister for connectivity offered a strong endorsement of buses ahead of next week’s CPT Scotland Conference in Glasgow. In an article in...
Former bus boss has raised the alarm after helping parish councils respond the local transport consequences of major new housing developments Ben Colson spent his career in the bus industry The new government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years risks the creation of new car-dependent communities unless the...
Transport for Greater Manchester reveals a 5% increase in patronage on the first phase of Bee Network routes with revenues £3m ahead of budget Plans to improve performance at Tranche Two are underway Patronage on the first tranche of franchised Bee Network services in Greater Manchester has seen a consistent increase, with a...
With a new government promising to ‘move fast and fix things’, I am excited about where public transport is now heading Manchester’s Metrolink tram has greatly improved public transport and attracted significant investment in regeneration projects At the start of the year, an MP said to me that the general election would...
I spoke to Marc Morgan Huws about his new role at Isle of Wight Steam Railway and tapping into the high-value leisure market Marc Morgan-Huws has worked in senior roles for Go-Ahead and First Bus There are few multi-modal transport professionals around, fewer still those who have traded roles in the bus...
The new government’s enthusiasm for public transport is encouraging – but ambitious modal shift targets are needed The transport sector is furthest off track to meet the UK’s carbon targets. New transport secretary Louise Haigh has moved quickly on public transport-friendly legislation – but will she succeed in persuading people out of cars?...
With no need for government funding, independent rail retailers could generate significant additional revenue for the railways How and when to go from Saltburn-by-the-Sea to King’s Cross? I recently needed to get a ticket back home. So where do you start? Firstly, check one of the many so called ‘third party retailers’ (TPRs)...
National Audit Office report warns that decision to axe northern leg of high speed line will result in trains having fewer seats than existing services Unlike existing Pendolino rolling stock, HS2 trains will be unable to tilt to take corners on the WCML at a higher speed Pressure is building on the government...
As buses minister Simon Lightwood suggests new government is looking at fare cap’s future, thoughts are turning to how the scheme could evolve England’s £2 fare cap outside London was launched in January 2023 Industry figures are speculating about the future of England’s £2 bus fare cap, which was introduced in January 2023...
Technology is already shaping public transport networks – and there’s an appetite for more Passenger transport organisations are harnessing a range of technologies to track mobility patterns and tailor networks to meet demand in the most efficient way. However, not everyone is satisfied that the job is being done as well as it could...
Delivering ‘the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation’ won’t be easy without extra funding. Some creative thinking is required Transport secretary Louise Haigh and her team will have a financial and policy envelope within which they can operate with freedom. But will it be big enough to allow the really radical changes...
How would you feel if your son or daughter was recruited as a ‘rising star’, but not supported and unceremoniously cast aside? Last week there have been some lovely pictures on LinkedIn of proud parents at their offspring’s graduation ceremonies. It’s been touching to see and also interesting to look at the physical...
The 2024 Velo-city Conference – Can cycling be a scalable and sustainable transport mode in the UK? The annual Velo-city Conference was held in Ghent, Belgium in late June 2024 The annual Velo-city Conference was held in Ghent, Belgium in late June 2024. Velo-city is an annual event focussing on active mobility...
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