Buses Magazine

Buses Magazine

Latest news written with authority

Feature Premium

BSIP+ funding confirmed for 2024/25

The Department for Transport has confirmed that all Local Transport...

Feature Premium

Wonky bow tie grows in Herts

Arriva’s 321 service from Watford to Luton will be reduced...

Feature Premium

TFL SETS OUT UPDATED STRATEGY FOR MAKING BUSES SAFER

Transport for London (TfL) has published a new Bus Safety Strategy...

Feature Premium

Wrightbus hydrogen trial at Sizewell C

WRIGHTBUS Wrightbus has signed a deal with Sizewell C nuclear...

Feature Premium

NORTH NORFOLK AND EXPRESS COACHES

Following on from the two-part Exeter to Norwich trip on £2...

Feature Premium

IN FLEET NEWS THIS MONTH

•Arriva Midlands gets first lowheight StreetDeck Electroliners...

Feature Premium

Buses Magazine November 2023

The full issue in page-turning format

Overview of Greater Manchester's bus route franchise strategy - Andy Burnham

The Mayor of Greater Manchester opened the conference. Andy is the first mayor to spearhead a move to a franchised bus network, taking advantage of a change in legislation to allow greater public control of bus services. This new network went live within two weeks of the conference date. The city region has an ambitious target of 30% passenger growth.

Wider Ambitions of Manchester's Bee Network - TfGM

Stephen Rhodes and Anne-Marie Purcell head up bus activities at Transport for Greater Manchester and are managing delivery of the Bee Network. They provided insight into the franchising process, and future goals for the network.

Mobilising a bus franchise - Nigel Featham

Currently holding responsibility for two of the north’s largest bus operations, Nigel is well placed to view the challenges faced by the industry across a wide swathe of the region. He is involved in both the largest Bus Service Improvement Plan grant in England, in Tyne & Wear, and the franchising transformation taking place in Greater Manchester.

Inspiring the next generation to join the industry - Zachary McAskill

Representing the largest operator in Manchester’s deregulated bus market, Zach is in charge of the company’s transition back into regulated operations. As well as preparing for one of the biggest operational shake-ups since deregulation, he is interested in attracting a new generation of drivers, managers and other key employees to the bus industry.

Delivering zero emission bus fleets - Alexander Dennis

The largest bus manufacturer in the UK, Alexander Dennis launched its own electric range last year, and has delivered many hundreds of zero emission buses in partnership with Chinese manufacturer BYD. With ever-increasing pressure and demand for zero emission vehicles, Matthew Lawrence explained how his company is meeting this challenge.

Flixbus's sustainability initiatives and commitment to transport in the north - Andreas Schörling

Flixbus has been expanding its express coach services at a high rate over the last few years, with connections reaching through into Europe as far as Ukraine. With the north of England long being frustrated by a lack of rail development, could the operator’s express services help to fill the gap? Andreas discussed what his company is providing to the region.

Reforming buses in the Liverpool City Region - Matt Goggins

While Manchester is the first city region to take advantage of the opportunity presented by new government legislation to bring in a franchised bus model for its public transport network, the Liverpool region has been strongly considering such a model itself. Matthew provided the authority’s perspective on reforming buses – which direction will it take?

Reshaping the business post-Covid - Ben Gilligan

Ben Gilligan is currently at the helm of East Yorkshire Buses, which has been part of the Go-Ahead Group since 2018, though the operation has a rich history stretching back almost a century. The operator has undertaken a significant restructure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Ben provided an update on what this means for the iconic company.

The importance of a digital asset management strategy in the bus industry - Hexagon

The bus industry may be more ‘analogue’ than many industries, but a digital asset management strategy is still an important consideration, as Adam Cross and Lee Sands explained.

Five keys to improving bus services, whatever the regulatory mode - Graham Vidler

Over several years at the helm of the bus and coach industry’s major industry body, Graham has been heavily involved in discussions about the industry’s future, with colleagues, government and other stakeholders. His knowledge of challenges facing the industry across the north of England was insightful.

Feature Premium

FURTHER HEATHROW IMPROVEMENTS GO LIVE AS CROSS-BORDER LINK RESTORED

A number of enhancements to bus routes service Heathrow Airport...

Feature Premium

SPOT THE STOP WITH WELCOME BROLLIES

Not understanding a word of written Japanese, I’m in no position...

Feature Premium

WHEN WILL ZEBRA EARN ITS STRIPES?

How is the rollout of ZEBRA funded buses progressing? DAVID JENKINS...

Feature Premium

FLEET NEWS ENGLAND & WALES

JOHN G. LIDSTONE With additional material compiled LAWRIE BOWLES and JOHN YOUNG

IN FLEET NEWS THIS MONTH SEATING CAPACITY For double-deckers,...

JOHN G. LIDSTONE With additional material compiled LAWRIE BOWLES and JOHN YOUNG
Feature Premium

OFFERING RESCUE TO RETAIL WORKERS

with JAMES DAY

COMMENT First of all, I’d like to say a big thank...

with JAMES DAY
Feature Premium

OBITUARY – SIMON NEWMAN

Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating the culture and contributions...

Feature Premium

Equipmake to repower eight Newport Transport double-deckers

Equipmake is to repower eight Newport Transport double-decker...

Feature Premium

JOHN O’GROATS TO LANDS END BY BUS

The first part of BOB HIND’s latest marathon bus journey takes...

Review Premium

LAST YEARS OF A UNIQUE IRISH INSTITUTION

Edited ALAN MILLAR alan.millar@keypublishing.com

REVIEWS Title: County Donegal Railways Bus Services...

Edited ALAN MILLAR alan.millar@keypublishing.com
Feature Premium

BUS BREAKDOWNS NEARLY DOUBLE IN THREE YEARS

Figures released in a reply to a Freedom of Information Act enquiry...

Feature Premium

DOUBLE DE-CLUTCHING AT PIECE OF HISTORY

While visiting North Yorkshire on a holiday from home in Shrewsbury,...

Feature Premium

WIGAN IN THE FRANCHISING FIRST WAVE

With the Greater Manchester Bee Network due to go live imminently,...

Feature Premium

YOU WRITE

These are letters pages and the views expressed therein are purely...