What’s inside the latest edition of Passenger Transport:
LEAD STORY
‘Launchpads for careers’
Its National Apprenticeship Week and the passenger transport sector is highlighting what it offers
NEWS
Plans published for ‘Mini Switzerland’
Detailed plans have been published for a national public transport demonstrator of full integration soon to be launched in the Hope Valley
MPs seek clarity on GBR and pipelines
Select Committee calls on government to provide more certainty
C-charge leads to more Oxford improvements
Go-Ahead plans more changes due to cuts in bus journey times
10-year pipeline for bus orders on the horizon
Greater emphasis to be placed on ‘social value’ in procurement
‘Men must play role in driving culture change’
Last week’s CPT Conference 2026 hosted a discussion on women’s safety on buses – and heard a rallying cry from CPT president Kathryn Pulham
Bus industry needs local managers – Hendy
Wickham’s local connection benefitted entire bus industry
All Welsh buses will be TfW-owned eventually
Transport for Wales boss sets out bus vision to a Senedd committee, and says work must also begin on procuring new trains
Possible delay to start of franchising process
The Senedd will have to pass secondary legislation
NET ZERO
Reading goes Zippy to launch electric fleet
Council-owned operator Reading Buses has introduced 24 new electric double deckers on two routes as move to Net Zero continues at pace
GWR’s battery train joins passenger service
Train will initially operate in passenger service on Saturdays
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Masabi buys Passenger Technology Group
Deal enhances ability to support authorities and operators
INSIDE TRACK
Chris Cheek: Rail subsidies down by 4.8% as NR funding cut
Passenger support up by 3% as bills rise in Scotland, Wales and London. Overall rail subsidies drop to £11.9bn, but still way ahead of £4.5bn in 2019
Chris Cheek: Bus patronage growth at 63 LTAs in England
Only 12 local transport authority areas have now reached pre-Covid levels of bus use. Greater Manchester is fifth in the 2024/25 bus growth league
COMMENT
Leon Daniels: The road ahead for bus and coach
What’s the answer to AI, to financial pressures, to economic storms?It’s us. Our expertise, our passion, our commitment
Alex Warner: ‘Go Local’ to attract more customers
A new campaign by bus operator Transdev Blazefield encourages existing and potential customers to explore their local areas
Nick Richardson: The long journey towards Net Zero
As emissions rise and policy falters, addressing climate change, an existential threat, looks increasingly elusive in the transport sector
Arnaud Léger: The French franchising model
As more parts of the UK embrace franchising, they can learn from experience across the Channel
Great Minster Grumbles: A disgraceful way to pass a Bill
Our Whitehall insider imagines what’s going on inside the minds of the mandarins at Great Minster House, home of the DfT
APPRENTICESHIPS 2026
A spotlight on apprenticeships
Employers in the passenger transport sector have been celebrating National Apprenticeship Week
Keeping transport moving
The Department for Education on how apprenticeships are building the workforce of tomorrow
Proud to champion apprenticeships
Lothian explains how apprenticeships are helping to create a culture of continuous learning, development and improvement
PEOPLE, in association with Intuitive Talent Solutions
Blackpool boss to step down
Jane Cole has announced she is to retire in May after five decades working in the sector
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