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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Cost of living crisis - what will impact be?

Cost of living crisis – what will impact be?

  Rising living costs will hit demand for public transport, but by how much and how might the government respond?   In Germany you will be able to buy a pass for all regional and local public transport for nine euros a month for each of June, July and August   Is the cost of...
The railway risks becoming irrelevant

The railway risks becoming irrelevant

  It’s not fun when people are angry with you – but if you want a role in their lives it’s worse when they are indifferent or laugh at you!   Railways just don’t play the role they once did   I always find the time to start worrying what a member of your team...
Public Transport 2.0 - the future of travel

Public Transport 2.0 – the future of travel

Welcome to the 2022 edition of Public Transport 2.0 – the future of travel This publication focuses on how public transport is harnessing innovation and technology to meet our evolving mobility needs. We hope you find it an interesting read and we welcome all feedback. Click on the image above to view the supplement. If...
SURVEY: The State of UK Public Transport

SURVEY: The State of UK Public Transport

Are you a professional in the public transport sector? Tell us what you think about the state of UK Public Transport     In 2021 our State of UK Public Transport survey asked public transport professionals how they felt the industry had coped with the enormous challenges and uncertainty of Covid-19. We also asked for...
Bus Rapid Transit can help with the recovery

Bus Rapid Transit can help with the recovery

Covid has changed the way we travel. BRT can do the same, by providing reliable, frequent, direct and cost-effective transport. Join the conversation!     By James Freeman Covid has done funny things to people’s habits – it’s going to take a long time to recover the patronage levels we used to have. I remember...
Mobility professionals will gather in Paris

Mobility professionals will gather in Paris

European Mobility Expo expected to attract 11,000 visitors     The tenth edition of European Mobility Expo will be held from June 7-9 at the Paris Porte de Versailles exhibition centre; over 170 exhibitors will welcome some 11,000 visitors. This three-day event is devoted to mobility professionals, giving them an opportunity to meet, discuss, and...
Make bus travel normal again - ministers urged

Make bus travel normal again – ministers urged

Confederation of Passenger Transport wants the Department for Transport to reverse powerful ‘avoid public transport’ message to rebuild patronage   There is concern in the bus industry that the robust ‘avoid public transport’ message from government during the pandemic is still influencing travel behaviour   Department for Transport ministers are being urged to be seen...
Are weekends key to patronage recovery?

Are weekends key to patronage recovery?

Some Transdev routes exceeding 2019 patronage figures   Transdev’s ‘Hotline’ has reported patronage better than 2019   New figures from the Department for Transport suggest public transport patronage is slowly recovering from Covid-19 in Great Britain, but patronage at weekends is exceeding that of weekdays in many cases. The latest daily figures from late April...
Want to travel? Sorry, railway closed

Want to travel? Sorry, railway closed

  Blockades to enable railway engineering works are commonplace. Is it surprising that many reach for the car keys at weekends?     Saturday April 16, was a great day for the beleaguered coach industry. The FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Manchester City saw the biggest single movement ever of people by coach to...
Don’t neglect your older customers

Don’t neglect your older customers

  If your concessionary travellers have not returned since Covid, ask yourself this… what have you done to make them feel valued?   My dad is a proud bus user!   Have you ever been to an ALBUM (Association of Local Bus Managers) Conference? I was at their annual shindig last week, which was in...
Read our supplement: The ALBUM Report 2022

Read our supplement: The ALBUM Report 2022

Welcome to the ALBUM Report 2022, a publication from Passenger Transport devoted to Britain’s independent and municipal bus companies. Returning for a sixth year, this year’s report also incorporates the official Conference Workbook for the 2022 ALBUM Conference, hosted by Blackpool Transport on April 26-27. We hope you find it an interesting read and we...
SME bus operators are optimistic about future

SME bus operators are optimistic about future

Britain’s small and medium-sized bus operators face huge challenges but there is positivity ahead of next week’s ALBUM Conference in Blackpool   Bus use is back to 75% of pre-Covid levels in Blackpool   While acknowledging the huge challenges their sector faces, there is optimism among Britain’s small and medium-sized bus companies ahead of next...