Transport should be for everyone
It’s ‘Catch the Bus Month’ and we’re asking bus operators to pick up the pace of change in making their services accessible to all Caroline Stickland is the CEO of Transport for All Almost 30 years on from the laws that made buses accessible in the UK, let’s mark ‘Catch the Bus...
10 reasons why I love travelling by bus
September is ‘Catch the Bus Month’ – and I believe that there are many reasons why we all should, from the rational to the romantic Catch the Bus Month: I’m on board! September is here and as the leaves turn brown and gold, the nights draw in and the county cricket season...
We can create a better connected UK
With a new government promising to ‘move fast and fix things’, I am excited about where public transport is now heading Manchester’s Metrolink tram has greatly improved public transport and attracted significant investment in regeneration projects At the start of the year, an MP said to me that the general election would...
From buses to a ‘10-mile museum’
I spoke to Marc Morgan Huws about his new role at Isle of Wight Steam Railway and tapping into the high-value leisure market Marc Morgan-Huws has worked in senior roles for Go-Ahead and First Bus There are few multi-modal transport professionals around, fewer still those who have traded roles in the bus...
A promising start for public transport
The new government’s enthusiasm for public transport is encouraging – but ambitious modal shift targets are needed The transport sector is furthest off track to meet the UK’s carbon targets. New transport secretary Louise Haigh has moved quickly on public transport-friendly legislation – but will she succeed in persuading people out of cars?...
Steering rail to a prosperous future
With no need for government funding, independent rail retailers could generate significant additional revenue for the railways How and when to go from Saltburn-by-the-Sea to King’s Cross? I recently needed to get a ticket back home. So where do you start? Firstly, check one of the many so called ‘third party retailers’ (TPRs)...
Ministers need new sources of funding
Delivering ‘the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation’ won’t be easy without extra funding. Some creative thinking is required Transport secretary Louise Haigh and her team will have a financial and policy envelope within which they can operate with freedom. But will it be big enough to allow the really radical changes...
We are letting down our young talent
How would you feel if your son or daughter was recruited as a ‘rising star’, but not supported and unceremoniously cast aside? Last week there have been some lovely pictures on LinkedIn of proud parents at their offspring’s graduation ceremonies. It’s been touching to see and also interesting to look at the physical...
Ghent showcases successful cycling policy
The 2024 Velo-city Conference – Can cycling be a scalable and sustainable transport mode in the UK? The annual Velo-city Conference was held in Ghent, Belgium in late June 2024 The annual Velo-city Conference was held in Ghent, Belgium in late June 2024. Velo-city is an annual event focussing on active mobility...
Transport’s GOAT is great appointment
In Peter Hendy, we have a minister who understands the public transport sector and the role it can play. Big challenges await him Peter Hendy, pictured during his time as chair of Network Rail Congratulations to Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on becoming a ‘GOAT’. He is one of a number of...
Ireland challenges car dependency
Instead of continuing with the car-dominated policies of the past, Ireland has boldly prioritised public transport and active travel Transport minister Eamon Ryan, pictured last year at the launch of a new electric bus fleet for Athlone, County Westmeath Ireland’s ‘celtic tiger’ boom (between the mid-1990s and 2008) turned the Republic from...
Mixed messages on transport policy