Public transport’s ‘global family gathering’

Public transport’s ‘global family gathering’

Dubai will host the UITP Summit on April 21-23. We spoke to UITP’s secretary general, Mohamed Mezghani, about the event and what visitors can look forward to   Mohamed Mezghani: “For me, the Summit is about people”   Mohamed, the UITP Summit is heading to Dubai in April, less than...
Out now: The latest issue of Passenger Transport

Out now: The latest issue of Passenger Transport

What’s inside the latest edition of Passenger Transport:     LEAD STORY NPR rail improvements ‘will actually happen’ More than a decade after the Northern Powerhouse Rail project was first proposed, the government has unveiled a three-phase plan for its delivery   NEWS Cornwall probes bus regulation options Market engagement...
NPR rail improvements  ‘will actually happen’

NPR rail improvements ‘will actually happen’

More than a decade after the Northern Powerhouse Rail project was first proposed, the government has unveiled a three-phase plan for its delivery   The plans would see Manchester Piccadilly expanded   A three-phase plan for the long-promised Northern Powerhouse Rail project was unveiled by the government this week. The...
100 more bus routes in Wales and £2 fare cap?

100 more bus routes in Wales and £2 fare cap?

Labour has pledged an enhanced bus offer for Wales if it wins this May’s Senedd election, but will this be matched funding? Rhodri Clark reports   Welsh bus fares for adults aged 22 to 59 would be capped at £2   Labour has pledged 100 more bus routes in Wales...
Let’s get on and fix rail replacement

Let’s get on and fix rail replacement

  A new report by CMAC has shed light on an often overlooked but frequent aspect of the railway’s customer service proposition   2026 has already brought two major shocks. FA Cup holders, my beloved, Crystal Palace, being knocked out of this year’s tournament by non-league Macclesfield, 117 places below...
Putting customers front and centre

Putting customers front and centre

  Those taking decisions should always put themselves in the shoes of the passenger and ask whether what they will think reasonable   Average bus speeds in central London are now down to 7.4mph (picture: Shutterstock)   It was interesting to see the latest figures for bus passenger numbers (PT351)....
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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,...
What does a fair deal for buses look like?

What does a fair deal for buses look like?

The forthcoming Spending Review will set out priorities for taxpayers’ funds up until 2030. It will be a big moment for buses   Simon Lightwood, the minister for local transport, at the CPT’s annual conference in January   By Alison Edwards Unless you’ve spent months hiding under your duvet, you will be aware that the...
Wimborne Wicko’s winning formula

Wimborne Wicko’s winning formula

  The awards have been flowing towards Andrew Wickham and the Go South Coast business that he has led for 13 years. Here’s why   Andrew Wickham (centre) with colleagues when Go South Coast was crowned ‘UK Bus Operator of the Year’ in 2023   Two awards in the matter of a month for the...
Bringing rail into the Bee Network

Bringing rail into the Bee Network

  Integrating rail lines into our network is fundamental to our wider ambitions. It’s key to unlocking growth in our region and beyond   At the start of the year, I set out ambitious plans to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network – the next big step for our joined-up public transport...
20 years of championing  women in transport

20 years of championing women in transport

  This year will see 20th anniversary of Women in Transport. It will undoubtedly be a moment to reflect on the past and what has been achieved, but it will also serve as a springboard for future action I was proud to receive an OBE in 2024   BY Sonya Byers This summer, Women in...
Fueling our determination

Fueling our determination

  It’s certainly a different world – but that just makes the D&I Bus Group’s work even more important   Go-Ahead is serious about gender diversity   BY Chloe Leach-O’Connell As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on where we’re at as an industry, and what’s next...
The Period Positive  Workplace campaign

The Period Positive Workplace campaign

  Women in Bus and Coach’s Period Positive Workplace campaign is an important step in creating a more inclusive transport industry   A Period Positive Workplace is one where menstruation is acknowledged as a natural part of life   BY Louise Cheeseman The transport sector has long been a male-dominated industry, and while progress has...
‘We can do anything, any role’

‘We can do anything, any role’

  Nearly 500 talented women are working hard at bus operator Metroline to keep London moving   Laura Darbon recently completed her engineering apprenticeship with Metroline   Women have always played an important role in the bus industry, and that is especially true at leading bus operator Metroline, where nearly 500 talented women work hard...
The power of mentoring

The power of mentoring

  Mentoring can help women develop skills, expand their networks and gain access to opportunities   My mentor: Louise Cheeseman   BY Kerry Turner The transport industry, a cornerstone of the global economy, plays a critical role in connecting people, goods, and services worldwide. Despite its significance, this sector has historically been male-dominated, with women...
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...