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...
A railway ready for renationalisation?
As the new government begins bringing the railway back under public ownership, it would be wise to look at the history books Coming soon: Great British Railways I was in a boozer in Lancashire on election day, chewing the fat with a couple of old lags from the so-called bygone days of...
Agenda for action – 20 steps for success
The outcome of the election looks increasingly certain, but the aftermath is unclear. But what actions should we be looking for? Louise Haigh looks set to become the next transport secretary Just a week or so to go before the General Election – what a long drawn-out campaign it has seemed –...
Renewed 36 is the perfect bus service
Transdev Blazefield’s flagship bus route is the textbook study for those looking to see the benefits of investing in customer service The launch event epitomised the sense of positivity and community engagement that is the bedrock of the 36’s success I’m spending almost every waking hour these days on buses, doing customer...
The good, the less good and the ugly
It’s that time of year, six months in, for my customary half-term report on how the public transport sector has been performing The good… Keeping it affordable and simple Let’s be honest, if we cannot get folk to travel by bus when the fares are only £2 then we might as well give...
From buses to a ‘10-mile museum’