Great British Railways to unite TOC retailing
Once GBR is established by legislation, individual train operator websites will be replaced, but the private sector ‘will continue to play a key role’ Government will rollout a single online retail platform for rail ticketing Individual train operator websites across England, Scotland and Wales will be replaced by a single online retail platform...
Wrightbus reports a strong start to 2025
Ballymena-based firm delivers 200 buses in first month of 2025 1,200 buses expected to leave production lines this year Wrightbus, the Ballymena-based bus manufacturer, has announced its strongest start to a year, with nearly 200 buses entering service across the UK and Europe in January alone. The company expects 2025 to be a...
South Yorkshire eyes modal shift measures
CPT welcomes recognition of need to change travel habits Route 120 bus in Sheffield South Yorkshire is considering bold measures to encourage motorists out of their cars and onto public transport. Road user charging, workplace parking levies and reallocating road space away from private cars to buses are among the ideas put forward...
Tackling the scourge of crime on buses
Bus-related violence seems to be getting worse. A concerted effort by transport and crime prevention authorities is urgently required Safety officers on patrol to tackle anti-social behaviour on the buses in the West Midlands Eight days into 2025 and there were two murders on the UK bus network. On January 7, 14-year-old...
Realising the Bee Network Vision
Greater Manchester has heralded a new era in public transport after bringing all of its bus services into the Bee Network this month. Becoming the first area in England to complete the re-regulation of buses is an historic moment for Greater Manchester – and beyond. To mark the completion of this complex transition – which...
‘Blazing a trail for the future of bus services’
As the snow fell on January 5, the third and final tranche of Greater Manchester’s buses joined the publicly-controlled Bee Network. A landmark moment for buses in the region, and beyond Following a phased approach, all bus services in Greater Manchester – totalling 577 routes, 1,600 buses and accounting for more than 160...
Concerns raised over impact of open access
Heidi Alexander suggests operators are not paying their way Alexander: ‘Open access can create pressure on the network’ Rail Partners has responded to a letter from transport secretary Heidi Alexander urging the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to adopt stricter criteria for approving new open access rail applications. Alexander’s letter to ORR...
West Midlands lifts the lid on franchising plans
Consultation is the first step that could see the first bus services in the West Midlands under public control by 2027. Andrew Garnett reports Richard Parker launched the consultation in Coventry West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has launched a consultation on plans to franchise the region’s bus network. The consultation will remain open...
Transport’s three malign influences
I have identified three negative influences that have held transport back, or led it in the wrong direction, through the decades HS2’s River Tame West Viaduct. The entire HS2 project has been subject to regular chopping and changing The turn of the year is a good time for reflection, to step away...
My hopes and fears for the New Year
Will rail price itself out of existence? Will England’s bus users bulk at £3 fares? Will small businesses be squeezed out? We will see Commemorative rail coin 1825-2025 (credit: The Royal Mint) UK Rail, 1825-2025 2025 is the 200th anniversary of the railway in the UK, but could this be the year...
‘We’re blazing a trail for buses’
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham hails a landmark moment for buses in his city region Bringing all buses in Greater Manchester under local control is a huge milestone – but it’s not a case of ‘job done’ Last week Greater Manchester became the first place in the country to take its bus...
An agonisingly slow tram renaissance