Destination net zero: ‘We can get you there’
The Committee on Climate Change’s new advice for government is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. As the largest source of UK GHG emissions (23% of the total), transport will need to see major changes – and modal shift towards public transport must be part of the solution The Committee on...
RDG sets out vision to end failed ‘quick fixes’
Rail Delivery Group chief Paul Plummer said the proposals to the Williams rail review are intended as ‘building blocks’ for fundamental reform RDG chief executive Paul Plummer The Rail Delivery Group has set out proposals for a new rail industry structure which would remove central government from day to day decision making, integrate...
Stagecoach deal to buy Arriva ‘very difficult’
Perth-based group is reported to be interested in buying bus business from its DB-owned rival – but industry experts say there are too many hurdles Germany’s Deutsche Bahn is looking to offload Arriva Stagecoach is reported to be considering a bid for all or part of rival group Arriva. However, industry analysts say...
Pensions crisis ‘risks national rail strike’
RDG urges DfT to act as a guarantor to pension scheme Paul Plummer The Rail Delivery Group has told the Department for Transport that a national rail strike and rail franchising chaos are likely unless the government agrees to act as a guarantor to the railway pension scheme. In a letter to transport...
David Martin tipped to play role in Arriva deal
Following Deutsche Bahn’s decision to put Arriva up for sale, peers of the group’s former chief executive believe he could re-emerge on the scene David Martin, a former chief executive of Arriva Arriva’s former chief executive David Martin has been tipped to play a prominent part in a bid for the company he...
Yeowart plans first competition for GWR
Grand Union would run non-stop service to Bristol Parkway Open access entrepreneur Ian Yeowart is planning a new London-Cardiff service that would provide the first competition to Great Western Railway since privatisation 25 years ago. A notification to the Office of Rail and Road shows that Yeowart’s new open access company, Grand Union,...
‘Compelling case’ for Cambridgeshire Metro
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough mayor James Palmer says £4bn project would achieve modal shift, create jobs and deliver economic growth A visualisation of the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro A detailed report examining the feasibility of a 142km metro system for Greater Cambridge and the wider region has found a “compelling case” for the scheme. The Strategic...
Williams to focus on integrated transport
Rail review chief says industry must move to seamless journeys Keith Williams Rail review chairman Keith Williams has placed integrating rail services into wider public transport networks as one of the core objectives for reforming the railway. Speaking at the Accelerate Rail conference in London, Williams said the industry needed to prepare for the impact...
NXWM feels benefits of faster journey times
Measures put in place during 2018 have enabled the company to ‘change the tide’ with speeds improving by 1% – and revenue per mile is up 4% Buses in Birmingham National Express Group’s West Midlands bus business has improved bus speeds for the first time in more than a decade, bucking the national trend...
Haines vows ‘honest’ choices on punctuality
Industry needs to accept ‘greater realism’ on rail performance Andrew Haines: Network Rail chief executive Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines has set out plans to provide government and passenger groups with “more honest and sophisticated” choices on how to restore punctuality to an acceptable level. Reflecting on seven years of declining performance and the...
Industry takes initiative on rail reform agenda
RDG proposes reforming fares regulation to offer more flexible, better value fares while Network Rail boss sets out plans to restructure company RDG anticipates that its proposed reforms would be self-financing Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group have taken the initiative in setting the ground for changes to the way the rail...
Go-Ahead moves into Greater Manchester
Group to pay £11.17m to acquire First’s Queen’s Road depot After weeks of intense speculation about the future of FirstGroup’s Manchester bus operation, it was confirmed this week that Go-Ahead has agreed terms to acquire First Manchester’s Queen’s Road depot in Cheetham Hill. The sale will take Go-Ahead into Greater Manchester, Britain’s second-largest...
