Author Archive
Devolution seeds will bear fruit

Devolution seeds will bear fruit

  Against the precarious backdrop of public transport, mayors and local leaders in our city regions are planting seeds of optimism   The new Headbolt Lane station in Kirkby   I am not sure about you, but this year feels like it is flying by. The start of the new year only feels like yesterday...
The world is open to connecting with us

The world is open to connecting with us

  My recent experiences of field marketing for a bus service in a seaside town showed me that businesses are ready to collaborate   I don’t want this to sound like a textbook, ‘interview response’ style, but one of the best aspects of being involved in public transport is the chance to be really embedded...
55 ones to watch in passenger transport

55 ones to watch in passenger transport

LOST Group, the technology-led matching service owned and operated by transport professionals, has teamed up with Passenger Transport to identify top transport talent blazing a trail in 2024     John McArthur, Founder, LOST Group writes – Welcome to Lost Group’s Ones to Watch 2024 where we feature some of the best and brightest professionals...
North-south divide in bus network recovery

North-south divide in bus network recovery

DfT figures show bus use recovering fastest in the South East and East of England – contrasting with weaker growth, and even decline, in the North   The National Bus Strategy for England stated: “As we build back from the pandemic, better buses will be one of our major acts of levelling-up.”   Analysis of...
Our industry boasts a wealth of talent

Our industry boasts a wealth of talent

  This edition features LOST Group’s ‘Ones to Watch 2024’. It was exhausting to put this list together – but the end result is inspiring   Hooray! A good news story! For all the doom and gloom in the industry, it was a real antidote to the January blues to be part of the judging...
Bee Network users asked to be patient

Bee Network users asked to be patient

Vernon Everitt asks passengers to ‘bear with us’ ahead of launch   Bee Network’s next phase launches on March 24   Greater Manchester transport commissioner Vernon Everitt has urged bus users to remain patient as the second phase of the franchised Bee Network is set to launch on March 24. This phase will cover Oldham,...
Passenger aims to solve the bus fares mystery

Passenger aims to solve the bus fares mystery

Technology firm has worked closely with bus operators to launch a new fares finder in its ‘white-label’ mobile app product used by 35 companies   Passenger hosted workshop events with bus operator partners to develop the new service   Bus fare information, or the lack of it, has always been perceived by many within the...
MaaS is the future of ticketing

MaaS is the future of ticketing

More and more places are seeking Mobility as a Service and Conduent Transportation is ready to help     Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a concept that has been around for years but has so far failed to fulfil its potential. However, Conduent Transportation believes that its time may have now come and that...
Customer first ethos continues

Customer first ethos continues

Ticketer has built a reputation on placing customers at its heart and that continues with Next Gen ETM and Bee Network rollout     Ticketer is well recognised for offering flexible cloud-based and on-bus solutions that aim to keep things simple for operators. It has been a busy few months for the company with the...
‘Tap-in, tap-out’ train travel trial for 2025

‘Tap-in, tap-out’ train travel trial for 2025

Over 90 rail stations in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester will be included in ‘pay as you go’ schemes, moving towards a London-style system   Stations across the West Midlands and selected routes in Greater Manchester are to participate in the trial   Rail users in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester will benefit...
Labour must extend ‘face up’ to HS2 - Steer

Labour must extend ‘face up’ to HS2 – Steer

Government has axed ‘the most critical section of the route’   Concerns raised country will be left with a £67bn white elephant   A key proponent of HS2 says that if Labour forms the next government it must extend the project to Crewe and Manchester or the country will be left with a £67bn white...
Ukrzaliznytsia and its ‘iron people’

Ukrzaliznytsia and its ‘iron people’

On a recent visit to Ukraine I was inspired to meet so many brave, committed and talented people, who believe in the power of rail   This shell-damaged wagon was carrying civilian evacuees   BY David Brown I recently had the honour of visiting Ukraine as part of an international delegation working with the Global...