Author Archive
‘The public transport sector meets here’

‘The public transport sector meets here’

Hamburg will host the UITP Global Public Transport Summit in June. We spoke to UITP’s secretary general, Mohamed Mezghani, about the event and what visitors can look forward to   UITP’s secretary general, Mohamed Mezghani   Mohamed, the UITP Summit is fast approaching, and Hamburg will be the first host city under the new annual...
BSIP investment has boosted satisfaction

BSIP investment has boosted satisfaction

The second year of the Your Bus Journey survey, conducted independent watchdog Transport Focus, reveals increase bus user satisfaction     Significant government investment as part of Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding and the £2 bus fare cap, appears to be have helped increase bus user satisfaction in England. Bus passengers across England have...
‘Laser-like focus’ aims to grow Bee Network

‘Laser-like focus’ aims to grow Bee Network

Stephen Rhodes, Transport for Greater Manchester’s director of bus highlights Bee Network progress but warns improvements will take time   Performance has lagged at the final two tranches of the Bee Network   Greater Manchester’s move to the franchised Bee Network has shown early signs of success, with increased passenger numbers and improved punctuality, MPs...
ORR report favours Temple Mills access

ORR report favours Temple Mills access

Independent study concludes that operational tweaks could free-up capacity at Eurostar’s Temple Mills International depot for competitors   Eurostar has stored redundant rolling stock at Temple Mills International (PA Images/Alamy)   The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has confirmed that Eurostar’s Temple Mills International (TMI) depot in East London could accommodate additional trains if...
Should Heathrow say goodbye to Woldbye?

Should Heathrow say goodbye to Woldbye?

  The response to the recent power outage at Heathrow Airport has lessons for crisis management in the public transport sector   Heathrow Airport CEO Thomas Woldbye   The power outage at Heathrow Airport a fortnight ago was fascinating in the way that it shone a lens on CEO Thomas Woldbye’s reaction to the crisis...
Bee Network bounce inspires GBR rebrand

Bee Network bounce inspires GBR rebrand

Ministers saw how Greater Manchester’s Bee Network rebrand changed public perceptions almost overnight – and want the same bounce for rail   The new logo and branding will be different to a Great British Railways logo that was registered with the Intellectual Property Office’s online trade marks journal in 2022   The government is set...
Coppard commits to bus franchising plans

Coppard commits to bus franchising plans

Mayor of South Yorkshire backs plans to take back control of the local bus network after consultation reveals overwhelming public support for plans   Better Buses for South Yorkshire campaigners gathered outside the combined authority as Coppard announced his decision   Bus services across South Yorkshire will move to a franchised model from September 2027,...
First meeting of bus manufacturing panel

First meeting of bus manufacturing panel

Local transport minister joins bus manufacturers, metro mayors and others to discuss how to transform the fleet while supporting UK bus builders   The UK bus manufacturing panel in Sheffield last week   Greener bus travel, new UK jobs and bigger business was on the agenda as government ministers met local leaders and industry bosses...
An exciting future for Metro

An exciting future for Metro

Nexus MD Cathy Massarella tells us how a fresh vision for the Tyne and Wear Metro is taking shape   Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus   It’s almost 45 years since the Tyne and Wear Metro first opened, heralding a public transport revolution in North East England. It was a light rail system that...
We need a vision for Britain’s railways

We need a vision for Britain’s railways

  The process of putting the railway back together has now begun – but a vision is required if the railway is to meet its potential   Liverpool Lime Street station. A new regional express network would open up new markets   The interminable death throes of rail privatisation are finally coming to an end....
Eye-watering price hikes can’t continue

Eye-watering price hikes can’t continue

  The drop in attendances at this year’s Cheltenham Festival should serve as a warning against treating rail users as cash cows   I had one of those earth-shattering, eyebrow raising afternoons last Tuesday when psychological price thresholds being broken were at the forefront of my mind. Three in the space of a few hours....
‘Mission not accomplished’

‘Mission not accomplished’

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, campaigners for greater diversity and inclusion in the UK’s passenger transport sector have restated their commitment to a more balanced workforce   This International Women’s Day, train operator LNER is encouraging women to join the company as train drivers   With US companies rushing to scale back diversity and...