News
Grand Union applies to run non-London trains

Grand Union applies to run non-London trains

Open access operator plans Edinburgh-Cardiff service   GUT’s Cardiff to Edinburgh services could use Class 222s   Grand Union Trains is seeking access rights to run the first open access passenger services which would exclude London. It says its proposed services between Cardiff and Edinburgh via Birmingham would provide a much-needed uplift in capacity and...
UK cities need million more bus and rail users

UK cities need million more bus and rail users

Britain’s big cities should significantly increase public transport commuters to catch up with European counterparts, says Centre for Cities think tank   The UK’s big cities outside of London are outliers and would need nearly one million (963,000) additional workers taking public transport to work to bridge the gap with other cities overseas   The...
Go South Coast wins best operator award

Go South Coast wins best operator award

Rail Reform Bill, aimed at legislating rail reforms, was included in last week’s King’s Speech but concerns linger about the pace of the process   Winners celebate on stage at last week’s UK Bus Awards in London   Go South Coast was named UK Bus Operator of the Year at this week’s UK Bus Awards...
Rail industry baffled by sluggish reform plans

Rail industry baffled by sluggish reform plans

Rail Reform Bill, aimed at legislating rail reforms, was included in last week’s King’s Speech but concerns linger about the pace of the process     The recent King’s Speech has drawn attention to industry frustration with the sluggish implementation of rail reform and the implementation of the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail. While the Rail...
‘Frustrated’ Shoveller sought new challenge

‘Frustrated’ Shoveller sought new challenge

Tim Shoveller tells Calling All Stations podcast about the reasons behind his departure from Network Rail last summer to take charge at Freightliner   Tim Shoveller left Network Rail to become CEO of freight operator Freightliner in July   The railway must unify behind aligned goals and empower its local management. That is the message...
Australian-built electric bus heading to UK

Australian-built electric bus heading to UK

‘It’s a dream for me,’ says company boss Scott Dunn   A demonstrator vehicle is already en route to the UK, and is due to arrive in mid-January   Australian bus builder Custom Denning is targeting the UK market, and a demonstration electric bus is currently being shipped to the UK. Custom Denning, one of...
ADL goes it alone with new electric bus range

ADL goes it alone with new electric bus range

After several years working with Chinese manufacturer BYD, Alexander Dennis has launched two new electric buses engineered fully in-house   ADL said the two new products feature a ‘stunning new design language that emphasises their zero-emission credentials’   BY Andrew Garnett Alexander Dennis (ADL) has worked closely with Chinese battery and electric vehicle giant BYD...
Bee Network journeys rose 8% in first month

Bee Network journeys rose 8% in first month

One month after bus franchising began, Transport for Greater Manchester is reporting passenger growth, increased revenue and improved punctuality   Andy Burnham: ‘I have no doubt the Bee Network will be transformational’   A month on from the launch of the Bee Network, Transport for Greater Manchester has revealed that the newly franchised bus services...
Waters attacks ‘grubby’ Westminster tactics

Waters attacks ‘grubby’ Westminster tactics

The Welsh Government’s deputy minister for climate change used the National Transport Awards to hit back at critics and issue a rallying cry   Lee Waters: ‘We have to make the right thing to do, the easiest thing to do’   The National Transport Awards is a great opportunity to recognise those who are going...
Stagecoach leads UK Bus Awards shortlist

Stagecoach leads UK Bus Awards shortlist

A total of 135 finalists have made the shortlist of this year’s prestigious UK Bus Awards, with the winners set to be announced on November 28   Koli Begum of Go-Ahead London won last year’s Top London Bus Driver award   The UK Bus Awards, the flagship national award scheme, has announced a 135-strong shortlist...
‘Ragtag’ investments cannot replace HS2

‘Ragtag’ investments cannot replace HS2

Prime minister Rishi Sunak announces that high speed line won’t go north of Birmingham – but ‘every single penny’ saved will be invested in transport   The government has scrapped HS2 north of Birmingham   After a long and intense period of speculation, prime minister Rishi Sunak finally announced that his government is scrapping HS2...
Why isn’t multi-modal integration a priority?

Why isn’t multi-modal integration a priority?

‘It’s the thing everyone wants but in so many ways it remains elusive. Last week’s Great Transport Debate examined why we can’t join up journeys   The debate brought together executives from the air, rail, bus, micro-mobility, taxi and active travel sectors in Manchester Airport’s Concorde Hanger   Why hasn’t more progress been made to...