Free buses in return for c-charge in Oxford?
Key transport organisations across the city have united in support of Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed £5 daily congestion charge £5 daily congestion charge Broad coalition of organisations are backing the proposal Making Oxford’s park and ride buses free to use could become a reality if plans for a temporary congestion charge in the...
NAO calls for DfT lead on bus improvements
Despite significant bus investment in recent years, a new report by the National Audit Office calls for better strategy and targeted funding Report noted that bus franchising is complex and costly The Department for Transport must deliver clearer strategic direction and cohesive funding if local transport authorities in England are to reverse the...
Joint working group to save Scottish ADL jobs
UK Government and Scottish Government are working jointly to explore options to prevent the loss of 400 bus manufacturing jobs in Scotland ADL: This is a challenging time, and we are grateful for the active engagement from the Scottish and UK Governments A joint working group has been established by the UK Government...
Public transport must be a ‘climate priority’
More than 10,000 public transport professionals gathered in Hamburg last week for the UITP Summit – an event which is set to become annual UITP president Renée Amilcar in Hamburg last week “Public transport is not just a mobility solution in our cities – it’s a climate solution.” That was the message from...
SMEs to have focus in Welsh franchising plan
Transport for Wales confirms contracts will be structures in a way that protects and encourages greater involvement from the SME sector TfW envisages a ‘different playing fields’ approach to bus franchising Bus franchising contracts in Wales could be as small as two vehicles to ensure accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the...
£15bn package is ‘huge vote of confidence’
Chancellor announces £15.6bn of funding for local transport projects in England’s city regions, £2.3bn for other areas and extends £3 bus fare cap Rachel Reeves during her visit to Mellor This month’s Comprehensive Spending Review contained positive outcomes for the public transport sector. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £15.6bn of funding by 2031-32 for...
Bus franchising ‘may not meet expectations’
Louise Cheeseman, former TfL director of buses, warns of lack of expertise while others say public expectation levels are high for franchising schemes Cheeseman: ‘My worry for bus reform going forward is lack of expertise’ Governments may have raised public expectations too high in their messaging on franchising and new municipal bus operators,...
£2.1bn Network North Wales plan announced
Unveiled at last week’s Welsh Public Transport Summit, the plan includes rail infrastructure projects, extra services and Pay as You Go ticketing Network North Wales forms an ambitious plan to upgrade transport in North Wales Ambitious rail proposals for North Wales for the next decade and beyond were announced by Ken Skates, Welsh...
Industry pays tribute to Go South Coast boss
Andrew Wickham, the managing director of Poole-based bus operator Go South Coast, passed away last weekend after a long battle with cancer Andrew Wickham: 1966-2025 BY Andrew Garnett The bus industry has reacted with shock to the news that Go South Coast managing director Andrew Wickham passed away last weekend after a long...
Bus operators urged to get out and make deals
A growing number of areas want bus franchising but ALBUM Conference is told opportunity still exists to shape policy in many parts of the country This month saw the West Midlands become the latest region of England to commit to franchising and newly-elected ‘metro mayors’ express their support for taking bus services back...
Opportunity lies amid a world of uncertainty
Britain’s small and medium-sized bus companies are adjusting to rapid changes, but ALBUM Conference speakers also identified opportunities. Robert Jack reports East Midlands mayor Claire Ward Within the ALBUM grouping of Britain’s remaining municipal and independent bus companies, there is understandable pride at their combined contribution to the bus sector. ALBUM members are...
West Midlands latest to opt for franchising
Mayor Richard Parker and the West Midlands Combined Authority have approved plans to franchise the region’s bus network from 2027 Richard Parker visited Wolverhampton Bus Station following the decision By Andrew Garnett Bus services in the West Midlands will be brought back under public control for the first time in nearly four decades,...
