Stagecoach has been selected to operate the franchised bus network based in St Helens while Go-Ahead will operates services in Wirral Mayor Steve Rotheram: buses aren’t a ‘nice to have’ – they’re a lifeline Stagecoach and Go-Ahead Group have been selected as the first operators to run the...
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)....
As buses minister Simon Lightwood suggests new government is looking at fare cap’s future, thoughts are turning to how the scheme could evolve England’s £2 fare cap outside London was launched in January 2023 Industry figures are speculating about the future of England’s £2 bus fare cap, which was introduced in January 2023...
Technology is already shaping public transport networks – and there’s an appetite for more Passenger transport organisations are harnessing a range of technologies to track mobility patterns and tailor networks to meet demand in the most efficient way. However, not everyone is satisfied that the job is being done as well as it could...
Delivering ‘the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation’ won’t be easy without extra funding. Some creative thinking is required Transport secretary Louise Haigh and her team will have a financial and policy envelope within which they can operate with freedom. But will it be big enough to allow the really radical changes...
How would you feel if your son or daughter was recruited as a ‘rising star’, but not supported and unceremoniously cast aside? Last week there have been some lovely pictures on LinkedIn of proud parents at their offspring’s graduation ceremonies. It’s been touching to see and also interesting to look at the physical...
The 2024 Velo-city Conference – Can cycling be a scalable and sustainable transport mode in the UK? The annual Velo-city Conference was held in Ghent, Belgium in late June 2024 The annual Velo-city Conference was held in Ghent, Belgium in late June 2024. Velo-city is an annual event focussing on active mobility...
The new secretary of state for transport, Louise Haigh, says transport is ‘central to achieving the missions for government that the prime minister has committed us to’ DfT’s ministerial team (left to right): Lilian Greenwood (future of roads), Simon Lightwood (local transport), Louise Haigh (secretary of state), Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (rail) and...
Our sample of public transport professionals expressed optismism about the sector’s future We are at the beginning of a new era for the country – and perhaps also for the public transport sector. This month’s general election saw voters indicate their desire for a change of direction – but what about those working in...
In Peter Hendy, we have a minister who understands the public transport sector and the role it can play. Big challenges await him Peter Hendy, pictured during his time as chair of Network Rail Congratulations to Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on becoming a ‘GOAT’. He is one of a number of...
Instead of continuing with the car-dominated policies of the past, Ireland has boldly prioritised public transport and active travel Transport minister Eamon Ryan, pictured last year at the launch of a new electric bus fleet for Athlone, County Westmeath Ireland’s ‘celtic tiger’ boom (between the mid-1990s and 2008) turned the Republic from...
As the new government begins bringing the railway back under public ownership, it would be wise to look at the history books Coming soon: Great British Railways I was in a boozer in Lancashire on election day, chewing the fat with a couple of old lags from the so-called bygone days of...
Andy Comfort reflects on the rise of Hull Trains and Lumo and the future of open access rail under a new Labour government Hull Trains managing director Martijn Gilbert (centre) and service delivery director Louise Mendham welcomed shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh during the election campaign Some may still consider them the new...
Regulatory reforms can help change buses long-term but there’s much we can do in the short-term Arriva is piloting an innovative new marketing and communications campaign to promote bus travel and encourage growth By Alastair Hands, Arriva UK Bus It’s been remarkable to see how the level of political interest in bus travel...
Ministers need new sources of funding