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)....
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Don’t let technology become a barrier

Don’t let technology become a barrier

  We must not deprive anyone of public transport, or offer them an inferior service, because they can’t or won’t use technology   Barcode ticketing is great for those who want it – but don’t force us to use technology   Last month, I mentioned to my 15-year-old niece that I am worried about growing...
Why haven’t we made MaaS work?

Why haven’t we made MaaS work?

  In the UK it has been hard to create a Mobility as a Service offering centred around public transport, and that must change   The Jelbi app   With the cost of living crisis biting, people need alternatives to expensive cars and expensive fuel bills. Over in Europe, entire countries are trialling super low...
Deal to sell Abellio UK to management team

Deal to sell Abellio UK to management team

Dominic Booth ‘thrilled to have the opportunity to return key public transport services back into UK ownership’ as Dutch owners exit market   Abellio UK operates four rail companies, including Greater Anglia (pictured)   Dutch national railway company Nederlandse Spoorwegen is exiting the UK public transport sector after 20 years. A management buyout will pave...
More Bus benefits as Yellow Buses collapses

More Bus benefits as Yellow Buses collapses

Bournemouth-based Yellow Buses ceased operations on August 4 with local rival Go-Ahead-owned More Bus quickly working to plug the gaps   Andrew Wickham, managing director of Go South Coast   Bournemouth-based Yellow Buses ceased operations on August 4 after administrator Milsted Langdon admitted it had been unable to find a buyer for the beleaguered former...
Souter set for Istanbul retirement party

Souter set for Istanbul retirement party

Event will mark the end of an era for Stagecoach co-founder at a time when he sees a reduced role for entreprenuers in the public transport sector   Sir Brian Souter ‘remains passionate about public transport’   Sir Brian Souter is thanking his former Stagecoach colleagues by inviting them to Istanbul next month for a...
This is the sound of the suburbs

This is the sound of the suburbs

  When we talk about transport policy we are usually talking about cities, but we need to decarbonise transport in the suburbs too   A Jelbi mobility hub in Berlin   “Child of the First War. Forgotten by the Second. We called you Metro-Land. We laid our schemes. Lured by the lush brochure, down byways...
Don’t let fares soar as service sinks

Don’t let fares soar as service sinks

  Rail users will face eye-watering fare increases next March. The risk is that the price is becoming divorced from the proposition   The concept of any increase feels a hammer blow to customers at a time when the service is poor   Last week, my designer clothes mad, 17-year old son, got me traipsing...
MPs urge rethink of Integrated Rail Plan

MPs urge rethink of Integrated Rail Plan

Transport Committee says that alternative options, which could transform key Northern cities, have not been properly tested and must be revisited   Prime minister Boris Johnson pictured on a tour of the North of England last November, timed to coincide with the announcement of the Integrated Rail Plan   A thorough reassessment of the government’s...
‘A giant and a most incredible pioneer’

‘A giant and a most incredible pioneer’

Following news of his death, Wrightbus founder Sir William Wright was this week hailed as ‘a man who left his mark, not just locally but globally’   Wrightbus staff formed a Guard of Honour in tribute to founder Sir William Wright   Tributes were made this week to Sir William Wright, founder of Ballymena-based Wrightbus,...
Ready for Rishi? Trust in Truss?

Ready for Rishi? Trust in Truss?

  The race to become the next PM is down to the final two. So what do we know about them and their views on transport?   Tank commanders: Rishi Sunak (left) and Liz Truss   So, we are to have a new prime minister. As to whether that will be Rishi Sunak or Liz...
People need to be at heart of the agenda

People need to be at heart of the agenda

  Great British Railways will be a vast organisation that will shape the future of our railways. It’s vital that we get the culture right   If Andrew Haines heads GBR it will be in fantastic hands   ‘Career crossroads’ is how I’d describe the perspective of many rail industry professionals right now. A number...
Journeo steps beyond the 21st Century

Journeo steps beyond the 21st Century

Journeo enhances support for connected journeys with revolutionary cloud-based products and services that will connect millions of journeys   Russ Singleton, Journeo’s CEO   Earlier this year, 21st Century Fleet Systems and 21st Century Passenger Systems became a single brand – Journeo. It is a move that places the company’s cloud-based products and services at...