News
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...
Public purse provides 50% of bus revenues

Public purse provides 50% of bus revenues

New analysis by Chris Cheek’s Public Transport Monitor reveals extent of increased dependence of England’s bus industry on government money   Direct revenue support, via either the Department for Transport or local government, has doubled from 15% of total income in 2018/19 to 31.3% last year   Public spending on bus services and their passengers...
Bus route keeps Milton Keynes in The Loop

Bus route keeps Milton Keynes in The Loop

Arriva has taken data from a DRT network in Milton Keynes to launch a new orbital bus service that plugs gaps in the commercial local bus network   The Loop launched in early January and has carried over 10,000 passengers in its first four weeks   By Andrew Garnett Back in the 1960s, Milton Keynes...
A world of opportunity

A world of opportunity

Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, the passenger transport sector is highlighting what it offers   Apprentices at First Bus   Employers in the passenger transport sector have been using National Apprenticeship Week (February 10-16) to highlight the importance of apprenticeships to their businesses and their work to support them. To mark National ApprenticeshipWeek, this edition...
Great British Railways to unite TOC retailing

Great British Railways to unite TOC retailing

Once GBR is established by legislation, individual train operator websites will be replaced, but the private sector ‘will continue to play a key role’   Government will rollout a single online retail platform for rail ticketing   Individual train operator websites across England, Scotland and Wales will be replaced by a single online retail platform...
Wrightbus reports a strong start to 2025

Wrightbus reports a strong start to 2025

Ballymena-based firm delivers 200 buses in first month of 2025   1,200 buses expected to leave production lines this year   Wrightbus, the Ballymena-based bus manufacturer, has announced its strongest start to a year, with nearly 200 buses entering service across the UK and Europe in January alone. The company expects 2025 to be a...
South Yorkshire eyes modal shift measures

South Yorkshire eyes modal shift measures

CPT welcomes recognition of need to change travel habits   Route 120 bus in Sheffield   South Yorkshire is considering bold measures to encourage motorists out of their cars and onto public transport.  Road user charging, workplace parking levies and reallocating road space away from private cars to buses are among the ideas put forward...
‘Blazing a trail for the future of bus services’

‘Blazing a trail for the future of bus services’

As the snow fell on January 5, the third and final tranche of Greater Manchester’s buses joined the publicly-controlled Bee Network. A landmark moment for buses in the region, and beyond     Following a phased approach, all bus services in Greater Manchester – totalling 577 routes, 1,600 buses and accounting for more than 160...
Concerns raised over impact of open access

Concerns raised over impact of open access

Heidi Alexander suggests operators are not paying their way   Alexander: ‘Open access can create pressure on the network’   Rail Partners has responded to a letter from transport secretary Heidi Alexander urging the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to adopt stricter criteria for approving new open access rail applications. Alexander’s letter to ORR...
West Midlands lifts the lid on franchising plans

West Midlands lifts the lid on franchising plans

Consultation is the first step that could see the first bus services in the West Midlands under public control by 2027. Andrew Garnett reports   Richard Parker launched the consultation in Coventry   West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has launched a consultation on plans to franchise the region’s bus network. The consultation will remain open...