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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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)....
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...
I have identified three negative influences that have held transport back, or led it in the wrong direction, through the decades HS2’s River Tame West Viaduct. The entire HS2 project has been subject to regular chopping and changing The turn of the year is a good time for reflection, to step away...
Will rail price itself out of existence? Will England’s bus users bulk at £3 fares? Will small businesses be squeezed out? We will see Commemorative rail coin 1825-2025 (credit: The Royal Mint) UK Rail, 1825-2025 2025 is the 200th anniversary of the railway in the UK, but could this be the year...
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham hails a landmark moment for buses in his city region Bringing all buses in Greater Manchester under local control is a huge milestone – but it’s not a case of ‘job done’ Last week Greater Manchester became the first place in the country to take its bus...
The journey to bus franchising in Greater Manchester. Andrew Garnett reports Franchising allowed Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure better coordination with other transport modes The decision to franchise buses in Greater Manchester was not isolated but developed over decades of policy debate and legislative change. It emerged as a powerful tool for...
Vernon Everett, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, answers our questions about the city’s Bee Network With over 40 years’ experience, Vernon advises the Mayor of Greater Manchester on developing an integrated public transport network alongside more active travel facilities What enticed you to take on this role? Greater Manchester is an exciting and...
Ticketer has been small but critical cog in a complex change process, and is ready to help others Jason Mann, Ticketer director of product, and Tom Wilsher, Ticketer head of product management, overseeing the tranche one rollout Establishing a successful bus franchising solution involves multiple components, but the cornerstone of its success undoubtedly...
Wrightbus is helping places like Greater Manchester on their transition to sustainable transport Wrightbus delivered an average of 22 buses a week to operators throughout 2024 With more than 160 new Wrightbus vehicles going into service across the Bee Network at the start of this year, we understand the importance of keeping...
Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Manchester, reflects on a 25-year record of connecting communities Stagecoach hosted a special lineup of heritage livery buses ahead of the changeover to the Bee Network For over 25 years, Stagecoach Manchester has been at the heart of the city’s transport network, playing an essential role...
Public transport is back on the political agenda – but the financial ammunition to make bus services better remains in short supply Transport secretary Heidi Alexander visited Greater Manchester’s Bee Network this week. Those who take back control of buses will face the same pressure to balance the books as commercial operators ...
The UK Bus Awards 2024 presentation ceremony took place in London in November, and you can read all about the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in this official Souvenir Brochure. Click on the image below to view The Big Book of Big Winners 2024. If you are viewing the site on a tablet or...
Transport for Wales has been instructed to develop an approach that attracts a range of bus operators and retains a role for smaller operators Skates: ‘We’ll offer various types of franchising contracts’ Small and medium-sized bus operators will continue to play a role in providing local bus services in Wales once franchising has...
Transport’s three malign influences