PM is weaponising transport policy
Rishi Sunak seems to have concluded that adopting macho anti-environment policies across the board could be a vote winner Last week the PM took a helicopter to Norwich to meet housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and announce that water protection measures need to be swept away Opportunist. Unprincipled. Shameful. Shameless. Desperate. Choose your adjective...
It’s not bad, but it’s far from polished
Sometimes we hear that transport is in a dire state, other times the sector is hailed as heroes.The truth is somewhere in between I’ve had a right royal shindig of a past month or so, on and off trains and buses, in all parts of the UK. I’ve clocked up more miles than...
Words matter when we debate transport
In the run up to the next general election, I ask politicians to think carefully about what they say and have a proper debate The prime minister is allying himself with motorists After years of wrangling, I have decided – rather boldly – to use my first Passenger Transport article to come...
End the Travelcard? What a travesty!
London’s Travelcard liberated transport users. It’s withdrawal joins ticket office closures as a big backward step by today’s politicians This beautiful, freedom-loving ticket product must be saved There are four things in life I’ve always found tedious and shown no interest in. The first are curtain and blinds shops, followed by horse...
Flights of fancy are fanning the flames
Aviation is becoming a real climate change problem but the government clings to the ‘jet zero’ fantasy. We need fewer flights A forest fire in Rhodes. Scientists predict that if the world heats by 2C, these brutal heatwaves and wildfires will happen every two to five years Many roams lead to Rhodes,...
Closing ticket offices creates challenges
It’s seen as a quick financial fix, but the experience of the London Underground reveals the true cost of closing down ticket offices We would be better off re-designing ticket offices so that they become beacons not just of the station but of the wider area A fortnight ago it was revealed...
Why we need the politics of dignity
Public transport can bestow dignity on both a city and its citizens. Politics determines whether it does – and we need more of it Rosa Parks became an enduring symbol of the civil rights movement in the US. Pictured is a sculpture of her inside a bus at the National Civil Rights Museum...
Piloting a new way of recruiting drivers
Gimmick or game-changer? Go North West’s driver recruitment campaign divides opinion, but if it succeeds others will follow Nigel Featham (centre) and his bus ‘pilots’ Talk to any bus bigwig and they’ll say that the challenge facing them is driver recruitment. Taking an innovative approach to attracting bus drivers is certainly not...
Still flying the flag of excellence
As the deadline for entries for the 2023 UK Bus Awards approaches, it’s timely to reflect on their purpose and importance Koli Begum of Go-Ahead London won the Top London Bus Driver award at last year’s UK Bus Awards The entries for the 2023 competition for the UK Bus Awards close on...
Looking back on my 30 years in transport
This week marks my 30th work anniversary. It’s a time for me to reflect on my personal journey and look forward to the future Yes, it’s me. Fresh-faced and full of hope as a duty station manager at London Underground In these happy clappy times, forgive me if I jump on the...
One day. Seven trains. 700 miles…
From the south coast of England to the northern tip of Scotland. Together with a friend, I made an epic journey by rail on June 23 Impressive scenery and space to work – although a cup of tea would have been nice! It’s Friday, June 23, and I am off on an...
Like transport staff, TBF plays vital role