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From buses to a  ‘10-mile museum’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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...