Government u-turn on bus lane restrictions
The National Bus Strategy says bus lanes ‘should be full time’ but new guidance from DfT says they should ‘only operate when it makes sense’ The National Bus Strategy for England declared ‘bus lanes should be full-time’ In the week that marked the third anniversary of the publication of Bus Back Better, its...
SPT says franchising is the only game in town
A new report by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has concluded that bus franchising is the only option to stem long-term network decline BY Andrew Garnett Strathclyde could become the first region in Scotland to franchise its bus network after Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) members approved plans for a consultation about the...
Speculation mounts over Tranche 3 winners
Stagecoach could face major upset in final franchising phase Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis is in the process of delivering 67 Enviro200 buses to Rotala subsidiary Diamond Bus for use on Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 services of Greater Manchester’s franchised Bee Network As Greater Manchester’s franchised Bee Network prepares to launch its second...
North-south divide in bus network recovery
DfT figures show bus use recovering fastest in the South East and East of England – contrasting with weaker growth, and even decline, in the North The National Bus Strategy for England stated: “As we build back from the pandemic, better buses will be one of our major acts of levelling-up.” Analysis of...
Bee Network users asked to be patient
Vernon Everitt asks passengers to ‘bear with us’ ahead of launch Bee Network’s next phase launches on March 24 Greater Manchester transport commissioner Vernon Everitt has urged bus users to remain patient as the second phase of the franchised Bee Network is set to launch on March 24. This phase will cover Oldham,...
‘Tap-in, tap-out’ train travel trial for 2025
Over 90 rail stations in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester will be included in ‘pay as you go’ schemes, moving towards a London-style system Stations across the West Midlands and selected routes in Greater Manchester are to participate in the trial Rail users in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester will benefit...
Labour must extend ‘face up’ to HS2 – Steer
Government has axed ‘the most critical section of the route’ Concerns raised country will be left with a £67bn white elephant A key proponent of HS2 says that if Labour forms the next government it must extend the project to Crewe and Manchester or the country will be left with a £67bn white...
Labour – ‘No more tinkering on the edges’
With a general election drawing closer, shadow transport minister Simon Lightwood addressed bus and coach operators in London last week Simon Lightwood at last week’s CPT Conference An incoming Labour government would use simplified and extended franchising powers to grow public transport, and provide the sector with greater certainty. That was the message...
Bus Partnership Fund pause disappoints CPT
Scottish Government pledged £500m – but has spent only £26.9m As recently as last October, Scotland’s minister for transport, Fiona Hyslop, told Passenger Transport that the Bus Partnership Fund was “a key area of investment” Formally launched in November 2020, Scotland’s Bus Partnership Fund was hailed as a “landmark long-term capital investment of...
Stagecoach pledges new ways of working
Claire Miles has indicated a new approach to bus franchising and wants to turn the page on ‘cultural and political baggage’ of Souter years Claire Miles is keen to cast aside Stagecoach’s “cultural and political baggage” The recently appointed chief executive of Stagecoach has expressed regret over the group’s confrontational approach to bus...
First plans Sheffield open access service
New service aims to woo motorists to rail with faster journeys FirstGroup said the venture would form part of its Hull Trains open access business FirstGroup has revealed it has submitted an application to launch a new, faster open access rail service between London and Sheffield via the East Coast Main Line. It...
Christmas cheer for public transport!
London’s buoyant retail and hospitality sectors has spurred public transport recovery in the capital. Outside of London, bus groups reveal ‘very encouraging’ year-on-year passenger growth of 5-10% Bus use is up by 8% in London The festive period has brought encouraging signs of continued recovery in public transport passenger volumes. Transport for London...
