Government u-turn on bus lane restrictions
The National Bus Strategy says bus lanes ‘should be full time’ but new guidance from DfT says they should ‘only operate when it makes sense’ The National Bus Strategy for England declared ‘bus lanes should be full-time’ In the week that marked the third anniversary of the publication of Bus Back Better, its...
SPT says franchising is the only game in town
A new report by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has concluded that bus franchising is the only option to stem long-term network decline BY Andrew Garnett Strathclyde could become the first region in Scotland to franchise its bus network after Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) members approved plans for a consultation about the...
Why Andy Mellors is my low key hero
I am not saying that problems don’t exist, but my experiences of Avanti West Coast have been good – and it’s going to get better Andy Mellors Recently, I’ve heard a lot of folk suggest that the railway is in the worst shape ever. Even those who haven’t been on a train for...
What is the strategy for transport?
A pragmatic consensus on transport policy has been shattered by the return of ‘war on the motorist’ rhetoric. We must do better Our current PM has boxed his government into being the motorist’s friend I have been on a sabbatical for a few years and have been catching up on transport policy...
Go-Ahead sets stage for equality
Go-Ahead Women campaign aims to recruit 1,500 new women bus drivers, with 50% goal by 2035 The Go-Ahead Women campaign was launched this week The Go-Ahead Group has launched a campaign this month aimed at revolutionising the traditionally male-dominated landscape of the transport sector. Under the banner of ‘Go-Ahead Women’, the company is...
Women in Bus and Coach – Empowering diversity
The Women in Bus and Coach initiative (pictured last year on a visit to parliament) has emerged as a powerful force. Here are seven compelling reasons behind the pressing need for such initiatives BY Louise Cheeseman International Women’s Day is a really great opportunity to showcase the unique culture that women can offer...
Women in Transport – Driving forward diversity
The Women in Transport Diversity & Inclusion Bus Group can look back on five years of progress BY Sonya Byers March is a significant month for Women in Transport, especially with International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. This year marks a special milestone as the Women in Transport Diversity & Inclusion (D&I)...
Diversity will drive improvements
We’ve come a long way in recent years but there’s still more to do – and it matters, because true diversity brings better everything We’ve got some fantastic women in our business BY Lorna Murphy This International Women’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on how far we’ve come but also how much more there...
Speculation mounts over Tranche 3 winners
Stagecoach could face major upset in final franchising phase Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis is in the process of delivering 67 Enviro200 buses to Rotala subsidiary Diamond Bus for use on Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 services of Greater Manchester’s franchised Bee Network As Greater Manchester’s franchised Bee Network prepares to launch its second...
Rolling stock has remained in sidings
Rolling stock issues have been surprisingly neglected in debates about the future of the railway, but there are big problems to solve SWR’s new Arterio trains are a rare example of new trains entering service The recent George Bradshaw address ‘election special’ contained few surprises. Rail minister Huw Merriman confirmed that he...
Devolution seeds will bear fruit
Against the precarious backdrop of public transport, mayors and local leaders in our city regions are planting seeds of optimism The new Headbolt Lane station in Kirkby I am not sure about you, but this year feels like it is flying by. The start of the new year only feels like yesterday...
Poetry in motion – the Paris Metro