Adonis – rail must end ‘profiteering’ image
Former transport secretary has blunt message for rail bosses – the public doesn’t like you, you’re paid too much and it’s time to ‘eat humble pie’ Lord Adonis: pictured here during his time as secretary of state for transport A former secretary of state for transport, Lord Adonis, has urged the rail industry...
Out now: Issue 162 of Passenger Transport
Issue 162 of Passenger Transport is published on June 16 Contents include: LEAD STORY Profit plunge threatens First bus investment FirstGroup’s 2016/17 financial results show that the operating profit margin for the UK bus business has dropped to just 3%, after restructuring costs NEWS O’Toole – ‘Break-up is not the best option’ FirstGroup’s size...
Profit plunge threatens First bus investment
FirstGroup’s 2016/17 financial results show that the operating profit margin for the UK bus business has dropped to just 3%, after restructuring costs Uphill struggle: First’s flagging profits threaten investment in the fleet. Pictured are two recent additions to the fleet at the Millbrook test track FirstGroup’s UK bus division has reported a...
West Midlands aims to become MaaS testbed
A trial of the revolutionary ‘Mobility as a Service’ concept will begin in the West Midlands in a few weeks, with the region seeking to become a leader By Robert Jack Mobility as a Service, MaaS, is heralded as a concept that will propel transport into a new era – and later this...
Virgin targets drivers with ‘disruptive’ ads
Assertive campaign highlights car’s disadvantages Ad portrays rail as stress-free alternative to driving Virgin Trains has launched a high profile marketing campaign designed around a new, more assertive approach to promoting the benefits of choosing rail over car travel. The stated aim is to “disrupt” the market in favour of public transport. It...
What’s the outcome for public transport?
Theresa May’s gamble has backfired spectacularly, but what are the implications of the 2017 general election for public transport? Remember the name Victoria Borwick. The final result of the election may well be one of the most significant. The Tories’ least business-friendly campaign in living memory has backfired catastrophically. The UKIP vote, it...
Public Transport Officer – Brighton & Hove City Council
Public Transport Officer NJC Scale SO1/2 – £25,951 – £30,153 pa Would you like to further your career in Transport? Our international award-winning Transport Projects Team is looking for an additional Public Transport Officer. As a core member of the public transport team you will help plan, maintain, promote and develop the local public transport network. Working on high profile...
Transport sector on alert in wake of attack
Increased threat level saw specially trained firearms officers patrol on board trains nationwide for the first time in effort to reassure the public Manchester Victoria station has now reopened The UK’s passenger transport sector is on a heightened state of alert following last month’s terror attack in Manchester. The bomb that detonated in...
Sharing ideas in an age of uncertainty
Last month’s UITP gathering in Montréal considered bewildering change, and convergence on transit’s role in making better places Montréal is a city not afraid to be imaginative in the way it does public transport A vast trade fair in both ideas and equipment, UITP’s bi-annual global public transport get-together in Montréal last month...
A new bus for Switzerland
The first two of 19 Alexander Dennis Enviro500 buses will soon enter service with Swiss operator PostBus in the east of the country. They are the first British-built vehicles to enter service with PostBus and the first UK double deckers in Switzerland. With a total passenger capacity of 133 (80 of them seated) the...
Rail growth at lowest level since recession
Season ticket market share drops below 40% for first time Overall, patronage increased 0.8% during the year Patronage growth on Britain’s railways in 2016/17 fell to its lowest level since the recession seven years ago, figures released by the Office of Rail and Road show. Overall, patronage increased 0.8% during the year. On...
See the light – #saveourwindows