LCR selects Stagecoach and Go-Ahead

LCR selects Stagecoach and Go-Ahead

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...
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)....
Latest entries
DfT pauses bus retrofit funding amid doubts

DfT pauses bus retrofit funding amid doubts

Department investigates variable performance but Transport Scotland backs technology and continues to fund conversions. Rhodri Clark reports   A bus in Glasgow. Transport Scotland is continuing to fund retrofitting through its Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) programme   The DfT has defended pausing England’s bus retrofitting programme while it investigates variable performance. Faced with the...
Advancing uptake of MaaS across Europe

Advancing uptake of MaaS across Europe

Under the helm of UITP, the IP4Maas project tested intelligent mobility solutions for better mobility in cities across Europe   The project started with an analysis of the landscape from the travellers’ point of view   Creating a more sustainable, seamless and inclusive mobility system with digital tools: over the last two and a half...
It’s time to collectively  talk about transport

It’s time to collectively talk about transport

The Great Transport Debate is a unique event designed to bring together leaders, experts, innovators and 200 informed professionals from every sector of the industry to debate the most pressing issues and challenges facing UK passenger transport networks today – and in the future     BY Neil Micklethwaite DATE: Thursday 28 September 2023 TIME:...
Scottish Transport Awards 2023 Book of Winners

Scottish Transport Awards 2023 Book of Winners

The twentieth Scottish Transport Awards took place on June 22 in Glasgow and you can read all about the winners in this official Souvenir Brochure. Click on the image below to view Scottish Transport Awards Book of Winners 2023.     If you are viewing the site on a tablet or mobile device, tap here...
‘Put aside ideological battles and reform rail’

‘Put aside ideological battles and reform rail’

New research commissioned by Rail Partners reveals how competition among train companies is delivering results across Britain and Europe   Lumo introduced competition on the East Coast Main Line   A reinvigorated public-private partnership is urgently required to get Britain’s railways back on the track to growth. That was the plea this week from Rail...
RDG confirms plans for ticket office cull

RDG confirms plans for ticket office cull

Rail industry launches long-anticipated consultation into proposals that could see the vast majority of railway station ticket offices closed   The public consultation over the proposals will close on July 26   BY Andrew Garnett The Rail Delivery Group (RDG)confirmed perhaps the worst-kept secret in recent industry history on July 5 when it announced that...
Why we need the politics of dignity

Why we need the politics of dignity

  Public transport can bestow dignity on both a city and its citizens. Politics determines whether it does – and we need more of it   Rosa Parks became an enduring symbol of the civil rights movement in the US. Pictured is a sculpture of her inside a bus at the National Civil Rights Museum...
Piloting a new way of recruiting drivers

Piloting a new way of recruiting drivers

  Gimmick or game-changer? Go North West’s driver recruitment campaign divides opinion, but if it succeeds others will follow   Nigel Featham (centre) and his bus ‘pilots’   Talk to any bus bigwig and they’ll say that the challenge facing them is driver recruitment. Taking an innovative approach to attracting bus drivers is certainly not...
6,000 extra green buses needed to hit net zero

6,000 extra green buses needed to hit net zero

IPPR think-tank calls for £2.5bn investment in new zero emission buses and urges levelling-up to end ‘deep-rooted regional unfairness’ on buses     More than 5,800 extra green buses are needed by 2030 in English regions outside London to reach net zero and support the levelling up agenda, according to a new report from think-tank...
Still flying the flag of excellence

Still flying the flag of excellence

  As the deadline for entries for the 2023 UK Bus Awards approaches, it’s timely to reflect on their purpose and importance   Koli Begum of Go-Ahead London won the Top London Bus Driver award at last year’s UK Bus Awards   The entries for the 2023 competition for the UK Bus Awards close on...
Looking back on my 30 years in transport

Looking back on my 30 years in transport

  This week marks my 30th work anniversary. It’s a time for me to reflect on my personal journey and look forward to the future   Yes, it’s me. Fresh-faced and full of hope as a duty station manager at London Underground   In these happy clappy times, forgive me if I jump on the...
One day. Seven trains. 700 miles...

One day. Seven trains. 700 miles…

  From the south coast of England to the northern tip of Scotland. Together with a friend, I made an epic journey by rail on June 23   Impressive scenery and space to work – although a cup of tea would have been nice!   It’s Friday, June 23, and I am off on an...