Issue 295 of Passenger Transport is published on August 25. Contents include: LEAD STORY ‘TfW 2.0’ will manage bus services in WalesInitially set up to procure the Wales and Borders rail franchise, Transport for Wales will be tasked with nurturing a ‘multi-modal culture in Wales’ NEWS Ambitious bus strategy aims for 30% growthGreater Manchester unveils aspirational bus strategy to…
• Network Rail faces prosecution over fatal 2020 crash near Stonehaven (Guardian) • Let’s ride the Edinburgh Trams Extension: Video (GeoffMarshall) • AI cameras catch 297 drivers in 3 days in Cornwall (BBC) • Proposal to house pigeons above Underground stations to harvest their guano (IanVisits) • As cities become prosperous, people drive less if good public transport is available:…
Our Terminus Tour Terminates But first a simple review of a complex area. The historic London Bridge station was well placed for the City area, and old pictures exist of gents in sombre black with bowler and trilby hats walking purposefully across London Bridge (the bridge) to get to their offices. But the railways had their eyes on other markets…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
London and South East Region Line Nicknames Bedpan – Line between Bedford and St. Pancras. Brain Line – Informal name for the railway that used to link the university cities of Oxford and Cambridge, and a pun on the term main line. qv Varsity Line. ChEnFord – London Overground’s new Cheshunt, Enfield, and Chingford routes out of Liverpool Street. Clockwork…
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…
It is hard to overstate the impact Hackney Wick station makes on a visitor, as well as the unexpectedness of it doing so. Reopened in 2018 after a complete rebuild, it is one of the most photogenic small stations on the British rail network. Yet somehow, it seems to have slipped somewhat under the radar; […]