Author Archive
Read our supplement: Scotland's Buses 2024

Read our supplement: Scotland’s Buses 2024

Welcome to Scotland’s Buses 2024. This special publication from Passenger Transport places the spotlight on Scotland’s bus and coach industry and its partners, celebrates their achievements and considers the challenges they face. Published in association with CPT for a seventh time, this year’s edition incorporates the official Conference Workbook for the 46th annual CPT Scotland...
Out now: Issue 320 of Passenger Transport

Out now: Issue 320 of Passenger Transport

Issue 320 of Passenger Transport is published on September 6. Contents include:     LEAD STORY Will this be Labour’s blueprint for transport? ‘We have a unique opportunity to reshape our transport infrastructure,’ says chair of review commissioned by the party in opposition in December   NEWS Haigh promises reform with shadow launch Transport secretary...
Will this be Labour’s blueprint for transport?

Will this be Labour’s blueprint for transport?

‘We have a unique opportunity to reshape our transport infrastructure,’ says chair of review commissioned by the party in opposition in December   The review calls for an ambitious transport infrastructure plan to ensure a greener, more inclusive, and efficient UK transport network   A report commissioned by the Labour party while in opposition in...
Mixed messages on transport policy

Mixed messages on transport policy

  It’s not unusual to see contradictory policy positions across government when it comes to transport, but I’d hoped for better   The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, seems willing to grab at any private finance that is around for transport projects, even if this runs contrary to government policy on, for example, climate change   August...
Transport should be for everyone

Transport should be for everyone

  It’s ‘Catch the Bus Month’ and we’re asking bus operators to pick up the pace of change in making their services accessible to all   Caroline Stickland is the CEO of Transport for All   Almost 30 years on from the laws that made buses accessible in the UK, let’s mark ‘Catch the Bus...
10 reasons why I love travelling by bus

10 reasons why I love travelling by bus

  September is ‘Catch the Bus Month’ – and I believe that there are many reasons why we all should, from the rational to the romantic   Catch the Bus Month: I’m on board!   September is here and as the leaves turn brown and gold, the nights draw in and the county cricket season...
‘Bus is best!’ - but no mention of £500m fund

‘Bus is best!’ – but no mention of £500m fund

Minister talks up role of buses, as CPT seeks action on journey times   Jim Fairlie: the future of the industry in Scotland is incredibly bright   Scotland’s minister for connectivity offered a strong endorsement of buses ahead of next week’s CPT Scotland Conference in Glasgow. In an article in Scotland’s Buses 2024, which accompanies...
Action urged on new housing and transport

Action urged on new housing and transport

Former bus boss has raised the alarm after helping parish councils respond the local transport consequences of major new housing developments   Ben Colson spent his career in the bus industry   The new government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years risks the creation of new car-dependent communities unless the...
Patronage boost sees Bee Network on track

Patronage boost sees Bee Network on track

Transport for Greater Manchester reveals a 5% increase in patronage on the first phase of Bee Network routes with revenues £3m ahead of budget   Plans to improve performance at Tranche Two are underway   Patronage on the first tranche of franchised Bee Network services in Greater Manchester has seen a consistent increase, with a...
We can create a better connected UK

We can create a better connected UK

  With a new government promising to ‘move fast and fix things’, I am excited about where public transport is now heading   Manchester’s Metrolink tram has greatly improved public transport and attracted significant investment in regeneration projects   At the start of the year, an MP said to me that the general election would...
From buses to a  ‘10-mile museum’

From buses to a ‘10-mile museum’

  I spoke to Marc Morgan Huws about his new role at Isle of Wight Steam Railway and tapping into the high-value leisure market   Marc Morgan-Huws has worked in senior roles for Go-Ahead and First Bus   There are few multi-modal transport professionals around, fewer still those who have traded roles in the bus...
A promising start for public transport

A promising start for public transport

  The new government’s enthusiasm for public transport is encouraging – but ambitious modal shift targets are needed   The transport sector is furthest off track to meet the UK’s carbon targets. New transport secretary Louise Haigh has moved quickly on public transport-friendly legislation – but will she succeed in persuading people out of cars?...