News
£38m for 319 new green buses across England

£38m for 319 new green buses across England

Funding has been allocated to 12 successful local authorities, with more than half going to West of England Combined Authority for 160 buses   More than half of the money (£19.9m) has been allocated to West of England Combined Authority   The government last week announced a £37.8m investment to underpin the purchase of new...
£300m cost estimate for Welsh franchising

£300m cost estimate for Welsh franchising

Assessment presents a range of cost and benefit estimates for the planned ‘Bus Reform’ in Wales, which will see all local bus services re-regulated   TrawsCymru services are already publicly controlled   The cost of transitioning to bus franchising across Wales is estimated at over £300m in the Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Bus Services...
BSIP investment has boosted satisfaction

BSIP investment has boosted satisfaction

The second year of the Your Bus Journey survey, conducted independent watchdog Transport Focus, reveals increase bus user satisfaction     Significant government investment as part of Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding and the £2 bus fare cap, appears to be have helped increase bus user satisfaction in England. Bus passengers across England have...
‘Laser-like focus’ aims to grow Bee Network

‘Laser-like focus’ aims to grow Bee Network

Stephen Rhodes, Transport for Greater Manchester’s director of bus highlights Bee Network progress but warns improvements will take time   Performance has lagged at the final two tranches of the Bee Network   Greater Manchester’s move to the franchised Bee Network has shown early signs of success, with increased passenger numbers and improved punctuality, MPs...
ORR report favours Temple Mills access

ORR report favours Temple Mills access

Independent study concludes that operational tweaks could free-up capacity at Eurostar’s Temple Mills International depot for competitors   Eurostar has stored redundant rolling stock at Temple Mills International (PA Images/Alamy)   The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has confirmed that Eurostar’s Temple Mills International (TMI) depot in East London could accommodate additional trains if...
Bee Network bounce inspires GBR rebrand

Bee Network bounce inspires GBR rebrand

Ministers saw how Greater Manchester’s Bee Network rebrand changed public perceptions almost overnight – and want the same bounce for rail   The new logo and branding will be different to a Great British Railways logo that was registered with the Intellectual Property Office’s online trade marks journal in 2022   The government is set...
Coppard commits to bus franchising plans

Coppard commits to bus franchising plans

Mayor of South Yorkshire backs plans to take back control of the local bus network after consultation reveals overwhelming public support for plans   Better Buses for South Yorkshire campaigners gathered outside the combined authority as Coppard announced his decision   Bus services across South Yorkshire will move to a franchised model from September 2027,...
First meeting of bus manufacturing panel

First meeting of bus manufacturing panel

Local transport minister joins bus manufacturers, metro mayors and others to discuss how to transform the fleet while supporting UK bus builders   The UK bus manufacturing panel in Sheffield last week   Greener bus travel, new UK jobs and bigger business was on the agenda as government ministers met local leaders and industry bosses...
‘Mission not accomplished’

‘Mission not accomplished’

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, campaigners for greater diversity and inclusion in the UK’s passenger transport sector have restated their commitment to a more balanced workforce   This International Women’s Day, train operator LNER is encouraging women to join the company as train drivers   With US companies rushing to scale back diversity and...
Hendy - We can’t wait for legislation to kick in

Hendy – We can’t wait for legislation to kick in

The Railways Bill is expected to be in parliament later this year, but rail minister Lord Hendy wants work to integrate track and train to start today   The Railways Bill is expected to be in parliament later this year, but rail minister Lord Hendy wants work to integrate track and train to start today...
Challenges  are the enemy

Challenges are the enemy

Nexus MD Cathy Massarella struck a pragmatic tone at recent Young Bus Professionals meeting   Cathy Massarella was appointed Nexus managing director in early 2024   By Andrew Garnett It’s a measure of how much the industry has changed. Back in June 2008, at the inaugural meeting of the Young Bus Managers Network in Birmingham,...
New rail watchdog to hold railway to account

New rail watchdog to hold railway to account

The government has launched an eight-week consultation into its Bill to reform Britain’s railways, which include a powerful new passenger voice   Alexander: ‘This landmark reform will sweep away decades of failure’   The government unveiled plans for the long-awaited bill to reform Britain’s railways this week. They include setting up a powerful passenger watchdog...