Out now: The latest issue of Passenger Transport
What’s Inside the Latest Issue 10 April 2026 | News, Views and Analysis for a Sector on the Move LEAD STORY Expanding Contactless Travel Across England New national transport strategy gives local leaders ‘the powers to build transport networks that are simpler, more accessible and better connected’ The government’s Better Connected strategy places integrated,...
Powers to expand tap and go across England
New national transport strategy gives local leaders ‘the powers to build transport networks that are simpler, more accessible and better connected’ Nottingham and Derby’s ‘Ride’ app is a ‘gold standard example’ of integration Tap-and-go travel across buses, trains, and trams will benefit more cities and towns across England after the government announced more...
Backlash as ScotZEB3 favours Chinese buses
Wrightbus decries “national scandal” and McGill’s considers legal action. Alexander Dennis announces Falkirk closure with loss of up to 115 jobs Jo Bamford, owner of Ballymena-based bus builder Wrightbus, attacked the “national scandal” of ScotZEB3 The Scottish Government and its Transport Scotland agency would have been expecting a backlash last month when it announced...
Rethinking contract performance
Authorities need to prioritise data to strengthen performance regimes and effectively deliver reliable franchised bus services Powers have been made available to authorities to take control of buses BY Brian O’Rourke, CitySwift As the UK shifts from deregulated, commercial bus services to franchised networks, the role of transport authorities is being redefined. Authorities are...
Rethinking frictionless travel
A conversation with Dr Jenny Wood, head of sustainability at Worldline, about the path to net zero Dr Jenny Wood, head of sustainability at Worldline Frictionless travel is often positioned as sustainable. Is that always the case? It’s more nuanced than that. It can improve the customer experience and encourage modal shift, but it...
The quest for ‘bold and inspirational leaders’
As the deadline for LiPTA nominations approaches, Chris Cheek reports on the verdict of industry experts on the importance of leadership The lunchtime Presentation Ceremony will take place at indigo at O2 in London on July 16 Ever since we launched the new Leadership in Passenger Transport Awards (LiPTA) at the end of February,...
Transaid Month 2026: Small actions, big impact!
A message from Transaid International development organisation Transaid is making the return of Transaid Month this May, encouraging colleagues, supporters and friends of the charity to celebrate and promote its sustainable development programmes, as well as raise vital funds. Transaid works with communities, partners, and governments to address transport challenges across sub-Saharan Africa,...
South Yorkshire goes back to the future
The new ‘South Yorkshire People’s Network’ brand reflects the region’s pride in taking back control of its public transport services and its determination to build something better South Yorkshire People’s Network brand revealed last week South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard has unveiled the ‘South Yorkshire People’s Network’ – a new vision and brand...
South Yorkshire ready for challenges to come
There’s more than a hint of nostalgia about the new ‘People’s Network’, but those in charge of delivering it are not wearing rose-tinted spectacles The ‘People’s Republic of South Yorkshire’ brand South Yorkshire’s decision to name its new unified, publicly-controlled public transport network the ‘South Yorkshire People’s Network’ will have raised eyebrows in...
‘Avoid buzzword bingo of AI’
Artificial intelligence seen as an enabling technology Verma: ‘AI means whatever you want it to mean’ Artificial intelligence featured prominently across multiple sessions at Transport Ticketing Global in London last week, with speakers broadly converging on its role as an enabling technology rather than a standalone solution. In a session titled ‘Beyond AI:...
The future’s bright, the future’s yellow
I tested the service provided by municipally-owned Warrington’s Own Buses and spoke to the company’s MD, Ben Wakerley Warrington’s Own Buses is part of the ‘yellow wave’ in the North West Warrington sits between Liverpool (formerly one of the biggest ports in the World) and Manchester (the first industrial city in the...
Survey reveals who’s got the right formula