Daily Archives: August 24, 2023

End the Travelcard? What a travesty!

  London’s Travelcard liberated transport users. It’s withdrawal joins ticket office closures as a big backward step by today’s politicians  This beautiful, freedom-loving ticket product must be saved   There are four things in life I’ve always found tedious and shown no interest in. The first are curtain and blinds shops, followed by horse racing and board games. Then, it’s…

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Words matter when we debate transport

  In the run up to the next general election, I ask politicians to think carefully about what they say and have a proper debate  The prime minister is allying himself with motorists   After years of wrangling, I have decided – rather boldly – to use my first Passenger Transport article to come out. I am a motorist. Yep,…

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Rotheram’s bus plans ‘not fit for purpose’

Former Stagecoach UK bus boss criticises Liverpool City Region’s bus franchising plans, citing ‘fundamental errors’ and concerns over funding  Montgomery criticised ‘19 fundamental errors’ in the bus franchising plans   Former Stagecoach UK Bus managing director Robert Montgomery has voiced strong criticism of the bus franchising plans for the Liverpool City Region, describing them as “bold on rhetoric and making…

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‘TfW 2.0’ will manage bus services in Wales

Initially set up to procure the Wales and Borders rail franchise, Transport for Wales will be tasked with nurturing a ‘multi-modal culture in Wales’  TfW headquarters in Pontypridd   Transport for Wales has a new remit which will eventually include procuring and managing bus services. TfW’s future bus role is set out in a letter, published this month, from Lee…

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No Treats For fbb – Again!

A Big Bulbous Bloated Bludner The above engraving appeared in the published volume of Alexander Pope’s “The Dunciad“, a superb example of 18th Century Satire. Amazingly, Satire did not begin with Millicent Martin and David Frost! Hmmm; seems quite mild by today’s journalistic standards. The engraving above shows chaps bathing in the River Fleet (as in Fleet Street) as it…

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