Public Transport news

• Minibuses make sense on rural routes | Letters

  13-06-2025 18:53
  
  Standard-size buses could be replaced with minibuses as a cheaper alternative on many rural routes, argues Mike ParkerYour article (Almost a fifth of England’s rural bus services have vanished in the past five years, 7 June) didn’t cover the costs of operation or the purposes of rural (and suburban) bus services. Different from urban areas, the bulk of their use is by those on low incomes, particularly pensioners, most of whom cannot afford a car or are unable to drive one. Over 20%
  
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• £15bn package is ‘huge vote of confidence’

  13-06-2025 15:22 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Chancellor announces £15.6bn of funding for local transport projects in England’s city regions, £2.3bn for other areas and extends £3 bus fare cap
   Rachel Reeves during her visit to Mellor
   This month’s Comprehensive Spending Review contained positive outcomes for the public transport sector.
  Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £15.6bn of funding by 2031-32 for local transport projects in England’s city regions, already revealed during her visit
  
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• Bus franchising ‘may not meet expectations’

  13-06-2025 15:17 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Louise Cheeseman, former TfL director of buses, warns of lack of expertise while others say public expectation levels are high for franchising schemes
   Cheeseman: ‘My worry for bus reform going forward is lack of expertise’
   Governments may have raised public expectations too high in their messaging on franchising and new municipal bus operators, experts in the industry and local government are warning.
  Bus franchising in Greater Manchester has been presented as a major suc
  
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• Do we have our fingers on the pulse?

  13-06-2025 15:15 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  How well does public transport understand its existing and potential customers, and the societal trends that influence them?
   There has been a greater post-Covid recovery in women travelling by bus than men
   “Time is the most precious resource any of us has,” Marc Winsland remarked in his excellent article in the last edition of this mag. It was very apt as, for the first time in living memory, I had to declare a ‘void day’ and was unable to pen a piece
  
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• Bee Network offers blueprint for Britain

  13-06-2025 15:09 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  As I bid farewell to the Bee Network and its striking yellow buses, I do so with immense pride. It’s a model that others can follow
   The Bee Network
   Bus franchising is a transformative approach to public transport management, granting local authorities the ability to regulate service quality, fares, and network integration. While the model offers immense opportunities for passenger-centred mobility and sustainability, its implementation poses complex logistical, financia
  
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• Labour had the chance to finally kill off HS2. Instead, it’s throwing more money into the pit | Simon Jenkins

  13-06-2025 14:00
  
  Rachel Reeves didn’t utter a word about this disaster in her spending review. Yet there’s a colossal £25bn more earmarked for itWhere was the elephant in the room? It received not a mention in the spending review. In among the hospitals and schools, the highways and the prisons, the great beast wandered, a ghostly presence cursing all from whom it stole.I found it in a Whitehall handout, sandwiched somewhere between Leeds station and a Welsh level crossing. The transport depart
  
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• Putting rail’s jigsaw puzzle together

  13-06-2025 13:39 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  We might not have all the pieces, but we have enough to make a very good start. Let’s begin transforming the UK rail industry
   If you’re the sort of person who plunges into a jigsaw puzzle without consulting the picture on the box first, you’ll know how hard it can be. You tip the pieces out, sort them out by colour and pattern, then try to get them into some sort of order. But without knowing what the final image should look like – or even if you have all th
  
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• Smarter data, better buses

  13-06-2025 13:25 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  Collaboration with CitySwift has been a win for passengers, operators and Transport for London
   London’s buses carry around 1.8 billion passenger journeys each year
  London’s bus network is one of the largest and most mature in the world, with nearly 9,000 vehicles operating across over 600 routes. These buses collectively carry around 1.8 billion passenger journeys each year, forming a vital part of the capital’s transport ecosystem. Managed through a franchised mo
  
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• York and North Yorkshire to lead national pilot on franchising rural bus services

  13-06-2025 02:00 via yorkpress.co.uk
  
  The York Press - York and North Yorkshire will be among the first places to take part in a pilot on franchising rural bus services.
  
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• What is the safest seat on a plane? Airline safety questions answered subscription

  13-06-2025 02:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - One passenger, a British man in 11A, survived the Air India crash. Are some seats safer than others?
  
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• What does the Air India crash mean for Boeing?

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - Until Thursdaymp;#39;s tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, Boeingmp;#39;s 787 Dreamliner had an exemplary safety record.
  
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• Watch out, Superman! Real-life kryptonite to power electric cars subscription

  13-06-2025 02:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - A rare mineral with a chemical composition very similar to the superheromp;#39;s fictional nemesis has the potential to fuel a green transport revolution
  
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• Update on proposed £1 billion A66 upgrade expected 'in due course'

  13-06-2025 02:00 via newsandstar.co.uk
  
  Carlisle News & Star - The Treasury has issued an update on the A66 improvement scheme after the project wasnmp;#39;t mentioned by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the governmentmp;#39;s spending review.
  
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• Unclear when reduced Sunday rail service will end

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A rail service says it is unclear when it will stop a reduced Sunday service it has been running since late last year.
  Northern has been running fewer services in north-west England every Sunday since 22 December 2024, because it has not been able to find enough conductors to work those days.
  
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• Tunnel reopens to walkers for 60th anniversary

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - An East Sussex tunnel which was last used by passenger trains 60 years ago will be reopened to pedestrians for one weekend.
  Volunteers have spent thousands of hours restoring the 256 yard (242m) Heathfield Tunnel to open to the public on 13, 14 and 15 June from 10:00 to 17:00 BST.
  
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• Trial journeys to be held for new rail system

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - About 2,000 people who take test journeys on a new "very light railway" (VLR) system in Coventry will be surveyed on their views about it.
  
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• Train line fixes contactless overcharging error

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A train company has apologised after some customers who made contactless payments were overcharged for up to four months.
  
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• The five new railway stations being built in Wales

  13-06-2025 02:00 via walesonline.co.uk
  
  Wales Online - The stations are designed to stop overcrowding on the M4
  
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• Swinney 'deeply concerned' over bus firm job cuts

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - Up to 400 jobs are at risk at Falkirk and Larbert as the firm considers moving operations to Yorkshire.
  
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• Siemens Mobility boss calls on Government to step up train procurement to back its 'rail village'

  13-06-2025 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  
  Business Live - Sambit Banerjee stressed the investment that has gone into the firmmp;#39;s Goole facility, while giving evidence to MPs on the Transport Committee
  
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• Ryanair to hand 'disruptive' passengers fines of £500

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - The airline said it would also continue to take legal action against anyone who disrupts a flight.
  
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• Ryanair to fine disruptive passengers £500 'minimum'

  13-06-2025 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  
  Business Live - The budget carrier is hoping the new policy will act as a deterrent to mp;#39;unacceptable behaviourmp;#39;
  
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• Rail link could see Telford become 'hub for London capital' say Shropshire town firms backing proposals

  13-06-2025 02:00 via shropshirestar.com
  
  Other Regional Press - A proposed rail link between Shropshire and London could lead to Telford becoming a regional hub for major London firms, according to town businesses.
  
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• Rail Industry Takes to the Trains to Prepare for Transformational Timetable

  13-06-2025 02:00 via railuk.com
  
  Rail UK - Colleagues from across the rail industry have joined together to focus on the East Coast Main Line ahead of the transformational December 2025 timetable changethe biggest change in a generation.
  
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• Picture perfect Peak District viaduct to get 37.5m renewal

  13-06-2025 02:00 via networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
  
  Network Rail - An iconic railway viaduct which is crucial to the Peak District quarrying industry is getting a multi-million-pound upgrade this summer.
  
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• Opinion: Improved rail connectivity is the missing piece of the puzzle that could help the Northern economy to grow

  13-06-2025 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  
  Business Live - Stephen Cowperthwaite, from Avison Young UK, on Rachel Reevesmp;#39; transport announcements and what must happen next
  
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• Nissan workforce dedicates more than 3,000 hours to volunteering

  13-06-2025 02:00 via thenorthernecho.co.uk
  
  Northern Echo - Employees at Nissanmp;#146;s Sunderland plant have contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours in the past year through a company initiative that allows two paid days annually for charitable work.
  
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• Midlands Rail Hub funding announcement

  13-06-2025 02:00 via news.railbusinessdaily.com
  
  Rail Business Daily - Midlands Rail Hub, a transformation rail scheme set to deliver improvements in connectivity for the Midlands, is a step closer to reality.
  
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• Landmark investment in Welsh rail praised by local politicians

  13-06-2025 02:00 via abergavennychronicle.com
  
  Other Regional Press - The UK Government's latest spending review promises a transformative investment in Welsh rail, aiming to improve public transport and boost the local economy.
  
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• JCB's World First in Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle Trials

  13-06-2025 02:00 via sustainabilitymag.com
  
  Other News Sources - Lower Thames Crossing, National Highways, JCB, Gallagher Group and Ryze Power run UKmp;#39;s first hydrogen trial to cut carbon in major road construction
  
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• HS2 labour supplier acquires training company

  13-06-2025 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  Business Live - Gloucestershire-headquartered Hercules Site Services has snapped up a Lichfield company that helps people into employment
  
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• How Boeing whistleblower died from 'self-inflicted gunshot wound' after raising safety fears at Dreamliner factory

  13-06-2025 02:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mail Online - John Barnettmp;nbsp;alleged that second-rate parts were removed from bins before being fitted to planes that were being built in order to prevent delays.
  
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• Head of Lumo and Hull Trains steps down with immediate effect

  13-06-2025 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  
  Business Live - Martijn Gilbert is believed to have left to take a position at another transport company
  
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• Government funding a 'milestone' for rail project

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - Mildands Rail Hub bosses say details are unclear but should be mp;quot;celebratedmp;quot;.
  
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• Government confirms £2.5 billion funding for line between Oxford and Cambridge

  13-06-2025 02:00 via thisisoxfordshire.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - The government have confirmed mp;pound;2.5 billion funding for continuing to deliver East West Rail, which would connect Oxford and Cambridge.
  
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• Global oil prices soar after Israel attacks Iran

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - The cost of crude oil affects everything from the price of food at the supermarket to how much it costs to fill up your car.
  
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• Germany puts rail first in £500bn investment spree

  13-06-2025 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - Germany plans to make its faulty railway network its first priority as it seeks to fast-track spending from its mp;pound;500bn infrastructure fund...
  
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• Freightliner and Tarmac launch

  13-06-2025 02:00 via railmagazine.com
  
  Rail Magazine - Freightliner and Tarmac have teamed up to start the first bulk service to benefit from Network Railmp;#39;s Track Access Discount Scheme.
  
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• Flight 171 crash is worst aviation disaster for Britain since 9/11 subscription

  13-06-2025 02:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - At least 52 Britons have been killed on an Air India flight to Gatwick
  
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• FirstGroup scraps boardroom role it pioneered

  13-06-2025 02:00 via dailybusinessgroup.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - Transport operator FirstGroup, which pioneereed worker representatives in the boardroom, will no longer have employee directors.
  
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• First Rail's Open Access MD steps down

  13-06-2025 02:00 via news.railbusinessdaily.com
  
  Rail Business Daily - Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director (MD) of FirstGroupmp;#39;s Open Access, Tram and Cable businesses, has stepped away from his position with immediate effect.
  
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• First Group ditches employee directors after pioneering the role subscription

  13-06-2025 02:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - The transport company has had workers on its board since 1989, but has had a rethink after mp;#39;significant changemp;#39; in the sector
  
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• First Bus 'cannot' run services across Renfrew Bridge

  13-06-2025 02:00 via glasgowtimes.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - First Bus announced that it cannot run buses across the new Renfrew Bridge at present.The company stated that this is due to the mp;#39;unpredictabilitymp;#39; of the crossingmp;#39;s closures.
  
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• Extra £2.5billion boost for East West Rail welcomed by Milton Keynes MPs

  13-06-2025 02:00 via miltonkeynes.co.uk
  Other Regional Press - An additional mp;pound;2.5 billion for East West Rail announced in todaymp;#39;s government Spending Review, has been welcomed by Milton Keynes MPs.
  
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• EV charger company Pod Point bought by EDF for £10m subscription

  13-06-2025 02:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - The electric vehicle charger companymp;#39;s board approves offer from French energy group just four years after mp;pound;352 million London float
  
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• Dublin is the only large European capital without a metro: what would Leopold Bloom make of that? Dermot Hodson

  13-06-2025 02:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian - In James Joycemp;#146;s Ulysses, the citymp;#146;s most famous fictional resident was as frustrated by its transport links in 1904 as many of us are todayIrelandmp;#146;s planning body, An Bord Pleanmp;aacute;la, will determine later this year the fate of an ambitious proposal to build the countrymp;#146;s first underground railway. Residents of the Irish capital wonmp;#146;t be holding their breath, however. Since it was first proposed 25 years ago, MetroLink has been cancelled,
  
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• Cable theft causes major rail disruption

  13-06-2025 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A cable theft caused major disruption to rail services in Yorkshire, National Rail said.
  The theft in the Wakefield Westgate area created a fault in the signalling system, temporarily closing all lines between the station to both Doncaster and Sheffield.
  
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• £3m Newport Road transport corridor improvements approved despite concerns around consultation

  13-06-2025 02:00 via gazettelive.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Middlesbrough Councillor Jill Ewan said: mp;#145;The Government could choose to spend it on something else that might be more effective than a mp;pound;3m cycle lane that four people wantmp;#146;
  
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• Alexander Dennis seeks to ‘consolidate’ bus manufacturing in Yorkshire

  13-06-2025 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  
  Business Live - The switch of all production to Scarborough means the closure of a site in Falkirk with the likely loss of 400 jobs
  
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• Air India crash casts shadow over Boeing recovery plans

  13-06-2025 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - Cause of incident involving 787-8 aircraft is unknown but could deal a blow to chief executive Kelly Ortbergmp;#146;s strategy
  
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