‘Put aside ideological battles and reform rail’
New research commissioned by Rail Partners reveals how competition among train companies is delivering results across Britain and Europe Lumo introduced competition on the East Coast Main Line A reinvigorated public-private partnership is urgently required to get Britain’s railways back on the track to growth. That was the plea this week from Rail...
RDG confirms plans for ticket office cull
Rail industry launches long-anticipated consultation into proposals that could see the vast majority of railway station ticket offices closed The public consultation over the proposals will close on July 26 BY Andrew Garnett The Rail Delivery Group (RDG)confirmed perhaps the worst-kept secret in recent industry history on July 5 when it announced that...
Piloting a new way of recruiting drivers
Gimmick or game-changer? Go North West’s driver recruitment campaign divides opinion, but if it succeeds others will follow Nigel Featham (centre) and his bus ‘pilots’ Talk to any bus bigwig and they’ll say that the challenge facing them is driver recruitment. Taking an innovative approach to attracting bus drivers is certainly not...
6,000 extra green buses needed to hit net zero
IPPR think-tank calls for £2.5bn investment in new zero emission buses and urges levelling-up to end ‘deep-rooted regional unfairness’ on buses More than 5,800 extra green buses are needed by 2030 in English regions outside London to reach net zero and support the levelling up agenda, according to a new report from think-tank...
Still flying the flag of excellence
As the deadline for entries for the 2023 UK Bus Awards approaches, it’s timely to reflect on their purpose and importance Koli Begum of Go-Ahead London won the Top London Bus Driver award at last year’s UK Bus Awards The entries for the 2023 competition for the UK Bus Awards close on...
Looking back on my 30 years in transport
This week marks my 30th work anniversary. It’s a time for me to reflect on my personal journey and look forward to the future Yes, it’s me. Fresh-faced and full of hope as a duty station manager at London Underground In these happy clappy times, forgive me if I jump on the...
One day. Seven trains. 700 miles…
From the south coast of England to the northern tip of Scotland. Together with a friend, I made an epic journey by rail on June 23 Impressive scenery and space to work – although a cup of tea would have been nice! It’s Friday, June 23, and I am off on an...
Understanding the role of immigrants
It is impossible to think about or even talk about diversifying our industry without broaching the sensitive subject of immigration Siggy Cragwell, 83, has worked on the railway for 61 years after coming to the UK as part of the Windrush generation in 1962 By Nafisa Nathani With any discussion around diversity, we...
Go-Ahead London to run Kent’s Fastrack
Group sees 15-year deal to operate Bus Rapid Transit system as springboard for further expansion into Kent, and plans to build a new all-electric depot Go-Ahead is in talks to deploy a fleet of 28 brand new Irizar ie Trams on the network Go-Ahead Group has plans to develop a network in Kent...
Railway legislation delay feels like ‘CBA’
The railway is trapped in limbo as planned reforms are held up. Meanwhile, turning around TransPennine Express is a huge task The TPE franchise has been a poisoned chalice since Day 1 Doom and gloom, I know and yes, I’ve documented the ills of the current set-up in UK rail at length...
Intercity TOCs lead post-Covid recovery
East Coast intercity operator LNER was among four TOCs to exceed 2019 patronage levels in the first quarter of 2023, but others are lagging behind LNER, which has topped the table for franchised operators for two years running, carried 111% of the passenger numbers it did during the same period of 2019 East...
Why we need the politics of dignity