Transport Focus has been reviewing the online information available to rail passengers in the run up to this week’s strikes affecting many train companies in England. I’m glad to say that we’ve found good practice in a number of places. Overall, though, the information is frustratingly in need of ‘sharpening up’ to make it as simple as possible for passengers…
Last week, the Transpennine Route Upgrade entered a very busy period of work, with a nine day rail blockade at Morley Station, meaning disruption for passengers and closures of stations, routes and the use of rail replacement buses. As the rail passenger watchdog, we were out and about observing many of the temporary changes that passengers experienced. Travelling on a…
One-day London travelcards are under threat. Transport for London is currently consulting on whether it should get rid of this type of ticket, including when sold as an ‘add-on’ to a train ticket into London. Travelcards added to a train ticket can be great value for money, although if you are only making a few short journeys once in…
The West Midlands is never far from the spotlight – from hosting the Commonwealth Games through to being the new home of everyone’s favourite mechanical bull (more of him later!). As a key part of the public transport network right in the centre of Great Britain, the West Midlands region certainly keeps Transport Focus busy. Our colleagues are regularly out…
Transport Focus recently welcomed the extension of the Government’s £2 bus fare cap to the end of June 2023. A much needed move to save passengers money during the cost of living crisis and a great incentive to attract people back to using the bus or trying it out for the first time. Last week we published our updated research…
We know that lorry drivers provide a vital service to the economy and to society. The vast majority of all goods and services are transported by lorry, so the importance of looking after drivers welfare by providing decent rest stop facilities is paramount. Our research in this area shows that lorry drivers are less satisfied with their overall experience of…
The West Midlands bus driver strike continues. We know from our research that around half of regular bus users don’t have easy access to any other mode of transport for their journeys, so will be struggling to reach work, appointments or leisure activities. So, as the voice of transport users, how can Transport Focus help? We have no role in…
We’ve been following up to see if earlier suggestions to make rail strikes information clearer for passengers have been taken on board. There’s been action in some places, but we found there was still room for improvement: Our suggestion to use graphics more, making things easier to see ‘at a glance’ have been acted on. Since we looked ahead of…
• Closing Nuneham Viaduct the right decision says Network Rail boss (NewCivilEng) • History of women in London’s transport (LTMuseum) • Repurposed Thurgoland railway tunnel has otherworldly acoustic characteristics (AtlasObscura) • If only we saw public transport as a public service (BrigittePellerin) • Smartphones may be our greatest tool for indoor navigation (CBCSpark) • The future of the footpath: disrespected,…
• Aviation industry awarded £18Bn in public finance since the Paris Agreement (DeSmog) • West London Orbital Overground line likely to get approval (IanVisits) • East Lancs Railway faces accusations in sacking of 10 year volunteer for whistleblowing (ThirdSector) • Tyne & Wear Metro: the Musical – good tune, good singing: Video (BBCNewcastle) • Inside giant robotic parking garages: Video…