Bus speeds in decline as road congestion rises
Report by David Begg warns that congestion could ‘destroy’ bus sector and calls for Bus Services Bill to respond with targets for average bus speeds The report was commissioned by industry campaign group Greener Journeys Buses are under threat from a growing congestion crisis on Britain’s roads as journey times rise and passengers...
Ellman ‘appalled’ by DfT at GTR hearing
Select committee chair demands performance answers Louise Ellman The chair of the parliamentary transport select committee Louise Ellman has criticised the government for its management of the Govia Thameslink Railway franchise and for not making key information available to her committee. In a letter to rail minister Paul Maynard, Ellman said she was...
Keolis starts driverless minibus trial in Lyon
Multinational group teams up with Navya to launch one-year trial of automated shuttle service in growth area of France’s third largest city Sans chauffeur: A Navya vehicle in Confluence, Lyon Driverless vehicles reached a new milestone this week when French transport group Keolis launched a one-year trial of automated electric minibuses in Confluence,...
A new breed of public transport campaigner?
Young professionals are harnessing the power of social media to put pressure on transport operators and policy-makers A demonstration by Southern passengers Rail operators will have to deal in future with a new type of passenger lobby group organised by young professionals who are adept at using social media, the Campaign for Better...
Abellio to pay ‘heroic’ £3.7bn Anglia premium
Dutch group named as preferred bidder for the new East Anglia franchise – but nine-year deal requires it to pay the government a £3.7bn premium 383 electric and bi-mode vehicles will be supplied by Switzerland’s Stadler Abellio has committed to a £3.7bn premium and a 93% performance target in its winning bid for...
Now another Welsh bus operator folds
Financial concerns lead another Welsh operator to shut down Lewis Coaches of Llanrhystud, south of Aberystwyth, had operated for more than 35 years Ceredigion-based Lewis Coaches ceased to trade on Friday last week, becoming the third bus operator in Wales to close this summer. Lewis Coaches of Llanrhystud, south of Aberystwyth, had operated...
RATP launches shared ride-to-work service
‘Slide’, an app-based travel solution developed by RATP Dev, launched exclusively in Bristol this week and is the first service of its kind in the UK Slide Bristol fares ‘only cost a little more than taking the bus’ RATP Dev has ventured into the world of app-based personal mobility with the launch of...
Lothian is on-track for East Coast launch
Council-owned firm announces details of East Lothian network East Coast Buses will launch on August 14 Lothian Buses has announced timetable and fare details of its new East Coast Buses subsidiary which will launch on August 14. The new operation has been created to take on the Musselburgh and North Berwick depots of...
Electrification sees rail overcrowding easing
Crush reduces slightly on Manchester trains following investment The introduction of four-car Class 319 EMUs has increased capacity between Liverpool and Manchester The commuter crush on trains into and out of Manchester appears to be easing off as the North West Electrification scheme begins to make its mark. The Department for Transport’s latest...
Khan seeks immediate control over Southern
London mayor calls for a Transport for London management team to be put in charge of the ‘failing’ Southern service, until problems are resolved Sadiq Khan: ‘There is no doubt that the franchise must now be in default’ London mayor Sadiq Khan this week called for a Transport for London management team to...
‘Transport investment more crucial after vote’
Transport secretary reiterated the case for £55bn HS2 project Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has reiterated the importance of continuing to invest in transport infrastructure, following the economic and political uncertainty created by the vote to leave the European Union. Speaking at last week’s National Infrastructure Forum event in London, he acknowledged that the...
Belfast buses enjoy passenger growth
Bus use in England’s metropolitan areas declined 3.1% in 2015/16, but Northern Ireland’s capital saw a marginal increase. Rhodri Clark reports Belfast’s Metro bus services carried 85,000 more passengers Belfast’s Metro bus services experienced a growth in passengers last year, primarily driven by investment in the Belfast Rapid Transit scheme and promotional campaigns....
