Out now: Issue 301 of Passenger Transport

Out now: Issue 301 of Passenger Transport

Issue 301 of Passenger Transport is published on November 17. Contents include:     LEAD STORY Rail industry baffled by sluggish reform plans Rail Reform Bill, aimed at legislating rail reforms, was included in last week’s King’s Speech but concerns linger about the pace of the process   NEWS Operators...
Rail industry baffled by sluggish reform plans

Rail industry baffled by sluggish reform plans

Rail Reform Bill, aimed at legislating rail reforms, was included in last week’s King’s Speech but concerns linger about the pace of the process     The recent King’s Speech has drawn attention to industry frustration with the sluggish implementation of rail reform and the implementation of the Williams-Shapps Plan...
Buses in Wales head in a new direction

Buses in Wales head in a new direction

  Progressive and coherent in its approach to transport policy, the Welsh Government has plans to transform public transport   Revamped:The Snowdon Sherpa network   As you’ve probably noticed, it’s all happening in Wales. Of the four nations of the UK, Wales is taking by far the most progressive and...
We’ve saved them, now let’s revive them

We’ve saved them, now let’s revive them

  Closing ticket offices was a terrible idea that no-one wants to own. They should remain, but there are things we can do differently   Thankfully, plans to close ticket office have been abandoned   I said shame shame shame shame shame shame shame. Shame on you. It’s one of...
‘Frustrated’ Shoveller sought new challenge

‘Frustrated’ Shoveller sought new challenge

Tim Shoveller tells Calling All Stations podcast about the reasons behind his departure from Network Rail last summer to take charge at Freightliner   Tim Shoveller left Network Rail to become CEO of freight operator Freightliner in July   The railway must unify behind aligned goals and empower its local...
Australian-built electric bus heading to UK

Australian-built electric bus heading to UK

‘It’s a dream for me,’ says company boss Scott Dunn   A demonstrator vehicle is already en route to the UK, and is due to arrive in mid-January   Australian bus builder Custom Denning is targeting the UK market, and a demonstration electric bus is currently being shipped to the...
Latest entries
‘Ragtag’ investments cannot replace HS2

‘Ragtag’ investments cannot replace HS2

Prime minister Rishi Sunak announces that high speed line won’t go north of Birmingham – but ‘every single penny’ saved will be invested in transport   The government has scrapped HS2 north of Birmingham   After a long and intense period of speculation, prime minister Rishi Sunak finally announced that his government is scrapping HS2...
Why isn’t multi-modal integration a priority?

Why isn’t multi-modal integration a priority?

‘It’s the thing everyone wants but in so many ways it remains elusive. Last week’s Great Transport Debate examined why we can’t join up journeys   The debate brought together executives from the air, rail, bus, micro-mobility, taxi and active travel sectors in Manchester Airport’s Concorde Hanger   Why hasn’t more progress been made to...
Short term thinking at its very worst

Short term thinking at its very worst

  Rishi Sunak’s new ‘Plan for Motorists’ and his decision to cancel Phase 2 of HS2 are not ‘long-term decisions for a brighter future’   Rishi Sunak at his ‘Net Zero’ press conference last month   In my last column for Passenger Transport, I observed that it never helps when No 10 or No 11...
A transport debate with a difference

A transport debate with a difference

  Last week’s Great Transport Debate in Manchester brought together all modes of transport, and more. But what did we learn?   A quirky venue (underneath a Concorde aircraft) and a quirky host (yours truly)   I’m not going to lie but I make it my place to avoid corporate and social events. I am...
We need effective, inclusive leadership

We need effective, inclusive leadership

October marks Black History Month, an opportunity to build understanding and bridge divides   The theme of year’s Black History Month is ‘saluting our sisters’   By Nafisa Nathani October marks Black History Month. The theme this year is ‘saluting our sisters’ – recognising the important role Black British women have played in modern Britain...
Read our supplement: Scotland's Buses 2023

Read our supplement: Scotland’s Buses 2023

Welcome to Scotland’s Buses 2023. This special publication from Passenger Transport places the spotlight on Scotland’s bus and coach industry and its partners, celebrates their achievements and considers the challenges they face. Published in association with CPT for a sixth time, this year’s edition incorporates the official Conference Workbook for the 45th annual CPT Annual...
'Lunch with Leon' joins Passenger Transport

‘Lunch with Leon’ joins Passenger Transport

Passenger Transport teams up with Daniels     The popular podcast Lunch with Leon is now produced in association with Passenger Transport. Launched in August 2020, this insightful podcast is now on its 77th episode. Each episode features half an hour of discussions between key transport industry figures and Leon Daniels, who was formerly Transport...
Buses - ‘councils should be in the driving seat’

Buses – ‘councils should be in the driving seat’

With bus franchising due to start in Greater Manchester, the LGA and Urban Transport Group are seeking a greater role for the public sector   The report has been published just two days before Greater Manchester becomes the first city region outside London to run franchised bus services, 37 years after deregulation   The Local...
York unveils ambitions bus expansion plans

York unveils ambitions bus expansion plans

City of York Council outlines plans to prioritise buses in a bid to reverse post-Covid pandemic decline and boost patronage by 50%   York’s park and ride services have reported the strongest growth since 2017 over the summer   City of York Council and the city’s bus operators have announced ambitious plans to enhance the...
A disastrous mistake that must be fixed

A disastrous mistake that must be fixed

  It’s mind-boggling that the UK got rid of every urban tram system (except one). Let’s not take longer than we need to remedy that   Like they never went away: Edinburgh’s tram extension to Newhaven   Riding the tram as it rolled urbanely down Leith Walk a few weeks back, on the new extension...
Like transport staff, TBF plays vital role

Like transport staff, TBF plays vital role

  The Transport Benevolent Fund has celebrated its 100th birthday. Like frontline staff, it should not be seen as a relic of of the past   A train has been named ‘Transport Benevolent Fund CIO’   With the ludicrous proposals to close ticket offices and the obsession with de-staffing across transport, it’s unnerving to imagine...
Toon Tour wins inaugural UK Open Top Bus Cup

Toon Tour wins inaugural UK Open Top Bus Cup

‘The team work hard to make this service a success and I think it’s a fantastic way to see the area’     Toon Tour, the sightseeing bus service across Newcastle and Gateshead has become the winner of the inaugural UK Open Top Bus Cup, sponsored by Ticketer. This follows its victory in the Final...