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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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’
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
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
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...
