Go South Coast wins best operator award
Rail Reform Bill, aimed at legislating rail reforms, was included in last week’s King’s Speech but concerns linger about the pace of the process Winners celebate on stage at last week’s UK Bus Awards in London Go South Coast was named UK Bus Operator of the Year at this week’s UK Bus Awards...
Women in Bus and Coach visit Parliament
Event at House of Commons saw industry leaders and MPs from all parties hear from members, supporters and allies of the new national initiative Members, supporters, and allies of the ‘Women in Bus and Coach’ initiative in Parliament last week Women in Bus and Coach, the initiative to support women in the bus...
A mood-lifting trip should start with us
Public transport isn’t just about essential journeys. It can also be about fun days out, but this opportunity is too often overlooked I don’t think the transport industry does enough to extol the virtues of a trip out from a well-being perspective Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I guess...
Rail industry baffled by sluggish reform plans
Rail Reform Bill, aimed at legislating rail reforms, was included in last week’s King’s Speech but concerns linger about the pace of the process The recent King’s Speech has drawn attention to industry frustration with the sluggish implementation of rail reform and the implementation of the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail. While the Rail...
Buses in Wales head in a new direction
Progressive and coherent in its approach to transport policy, the Welsh Government has plans to transform public transport Revamped:The Snowdon Sherpa network As you’ve probably noticed, it’s all happening in Wales. Of the four nations of the UK, Wales is taking by far the most progressive and coherent approach to transport. Making...
We’ve saved them, now let’s revive them
Closing ticket offices was a terrible idea that no-one wants to own. They should remain, but there are things we can do differently Thankfully, plans to close ticket office have been abandoned I said shame shame shame shame shame shame shame. Shame on you. It’s one of my favourite musical quotes and...
‘Frustrated’ Shoveller sought new challenge
Tim Shoveller tells Calling All Stations podcast about the reasons behind his departure from Network Rail last summer to take charge at Freightliner Tim Shoveller left Network Rail to become CEO of freight operator Freightliner in July The railway must unify behind aligned goals and empower its local management. That is the message...
Australian-built electric bus heading to UK
‘It’s a dream for me,’ says company boss Scott Dunn A demonstrator vehicle is already en route to the UK, and is due to arrive in mid-January Australian bus builder Custom Denning is targeting the UK market, and a demonstration electric bus is currently being shipped to the UK. Custom Denning, one of...
Inter-Faith week: Leading with humanity
The month of November marks Inter-Faith week, a time to take stock, pause for a moment, strengthen ties between communities of different faiths and celebrate the UK’s religious diversity By Nafisa Nathani The month of November marks Inter-Faith week, a time to take stock, pause for a moment, strengthen ties between communities of...
Reform fares before ticket office changes
Pushing forward plans to close ticket offices before addressing hugely inconsistent rail fares was putting the cart before the horse Campaign for Better Transport this week published its detailed review of fares and ticketing The grand old DfT. They marched them up to the top of the hill and they marched them...
Leadership is key to raising poor morale
Morale may never have been this low, but has the industry got the leadership skills and conviction to do anything about it? ‘Morale has never been so low’ remarked an on-train employee as I travelled on his service last week. It’s an old cliché and one which folk used to levy at me...
Transport must wait as election looms