Bus

Alexander Dennis’ Falkirk manufacturing site could close. The proposal was announced today (11 June 2025) as it revealed a new UK manufacturing strategy currently being consulted on. The refocused strategy results from the completion of a detailed business review and is intended to ‘adjust the business to changing market dynamics’, the company reports. Under the […]

First Bus today (11 June 2025) announces a £20m investment and renewed multi-year partnership with electronic ticket machine (ETM) specialist Ticketer. First has worked with Ticketer for over a decade. The continued partnership will see the roll-out of new ETMs, a project currently underway following a £10m upfront investment, with the first two depots in […]

New funding, worth £400,000, has been announced to help prepare Scottish workforces for the switch to zero-emission heavy duty vehicles (HDVs), including buses and coaches. The Scottish Government’s Zero Emissions HDV Skills Challenge Fund is aimed at supporting organisations to address some of the key skills and workforce challenges the sector is facing as efforts […]

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has announced the £3 bus fare cap is to be extended to March 2027. The current fare cap has been in place since January 2025, rising from the previous year’s £2 cap, introduced by the previous Government. It was due to expire in December this year. Graham Vidler, Chief […]

Strong underlying First Bus performance is one of the main factors behind First Group‘s rise in adjusted revenue of £1,370m (FY 2024: £1,279.6m) for the financial year ending 29 March 2025. Group adjusted operating profit increased to £222.8m (FY 2024: £204.3m), driven by First Bus rising £12.4m to £96.0m and First Rail up £5.5m to £148.8m. It had a 10% adjusted operating profit margin in the second half […]

Johnstone and Area Community Transport has ceased operating bus services as of today (10 June 2025). A liquidator has been appointed for the company, which had a standard national licence for four vehicles. It was incorporated in December 2023. It is listed as a not-for-profit community interest group. “Rising costs and cash flow problems have […]

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has confirmed the Government will fast-track autonomous vehicle pilots to spring 2026, introducing self-driving commercial pilots on England’s roads. Firms will be able to pilot small scale ‘taxi- and bus-like’ services without a safety driver for the first time, which could be available to members of the public to book via […]

A new National Bus Company (NBC) is being called for by IPPR North, a UK think tank. The company is envisioned to be a joint venture between government and local areas. IPPR North believes it could electrify the rollout of zero-emissions buses across the country. Researchers say this would help improve local transport, with more […]