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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Blackpool wins Bus Operator of the Year

Blackpool wins Bus Operator of the Year

Council-owned bus company won the best operator prize and Go-Ahead Group headed the medal table at this week’s UK Bus Awards in London The winner’s at this week’s UK Bus Awards Blackpool Transport was named UK Bus Operator at this week’s UK Bus Awards in London. The council-owned company was named the winner of the...
A career focused on unlocking growth

A career focused on unlocking growth

  Over more than two decades with Stagecoach and then Go-Ahead, Rupert Cox has been obsessed with understanding local markets   In an era of transport showboating fancy-dans, dressing themselves up in their own over-inflated, celebrity-style, personal brands, those who get on with the job, low-key style, sticking around and grafting hard on behalf of...
Britain’s railway reformation

Britain’s railway reformation

The government has published its Railway Bill – what’s proposed, and what needs to be addressed? Paul Cooper reports   CILT (UK)supports the creation of GBR and the goal of a more integrated network that brings track and train operations under unified leadership   The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has closely monitored rail...
Levelling up starts with connecting up

Levelling up starts with connecting up

The North must go further and faster on rail connectivity. Expanding open access can unlock the region’s full potential, says Lumo and Hull Trains managing director Stuart Jones   When Hull Trains launched in 2000, there was just one direct train a day between Hull and London   When I think about the North’s future...
Improved integration offers ‘huge’ benefits

Improved integration offers ‘huge’ benefits

Centre for Cities report says improved transport integration in six English cities can offer easy access to city centres to an additional 1.2 million people   Increasing public transport use would boost national economic output by an estimated £17.4bn per year   Delivering more integrated transport networks in six of England’s big cities will give...
Wrightbus launches next gen EV buses

Wrightbus launches next gen EV buses

The Generation 2 Electroliner offers dramatic improvements to range, charging speed, battery life, systems and warranty   Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales with the new Electroliner StreetDeck   By Robert Jack “We have regained our crown,” Jean-Marc Gales declared at a briefing of the trade press in Ballymena this week. The Wrightbus CEO was speaking at...
Which direction  will GBR take us?

Which direction will GBR take us?

  Great British Railways is emerging – but details are still in short supply. Despite some of my misgivings, I’m cautiously optimistic   Last week’s heinous stabbing incident on the LNER train from Doncaster to London and the derailment at Shap on the Avanti service two days later showcased, in adversity, the very best of...
The right way to take back control

The right way to take back control

  Bus networks across the country will transition to public control over the coming years. What’s the best way to make that journey?   Greater Manchester’s Bee Network has proved the doubters wrong on every point   It was tough getting the powers to franchise. Well worth the struggle though. The success of public control...
Franchising needs data at every stage

Franchising needs data at every stage

Data guides franchising decisions, but local knowledge brings them to life, says CitySwift CEO and co-founder Brian O’Rourke   Greater Manchester was the first area in the UK to introduce bus franchising   Across the UK, the conversation around bus franchising has shifted from if to when. Greater Manchester has led the way, with other...
Back in control - South Yorkshire’s bold move to  bus franchising

Back in control – South Yorkshire’s bold move to bus franchising

Change is coming. We are asking bus operators to help us build a network that sets a new standard for public transport in the UK, says Matt Goggins   Currently private bus operators determine routes, frequencies and fares, often with limited coordination and minimal public accountability   In March this year the mayor of South...
More than one route towards better buses

More than one route towards better buses

The options for buses are far more nuanced than a binary choice between franchising and partnership. CPT is offering guidance, says Nicholas Jessup   Brighton is among the places where you will see busy, regular, comprehensive bus services   Mayors and local authorities across England are facing their biggest decision on local transport for a...
National Transport Awards 2025 Book of Winners

National Transport Awards 2025 Book of Winners

The National Transport Awards took place on October 2 in London and you can read all about the winners in this official Souvenir Brochure. Click on the image below to view National Transport Awards Book of Winners 2025.     If you are viewing the site on a tablet or mobile device, tap here to...