Ground-breaking work is underway to transform First Solent’s Hoeford depot in Fareham. The site is being made ready to operate 62 new electric single-deckers from March 2024 across Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. The electric buses, the first of their type in the area, will replace part of First Bus South’s current diesel fleet The project […]
First Bus has promoted Paul Townley to the newly created role of General Manager of its Rochdale business. The appointment comes as the bus operator continues preparations to begin running services in Greater Manchester’s franchised Bee Network from March next year. Paul takes up his new position from the beginning of November and will report […]
A survey has found 95% of demand responsive transport (DRT) services are running at a loss. Councils are warning that demand responsive transport (DRT) services are not a substitute for government investment in traditional bus services. A survey by the County Councils Network (CCN) says three in four local authorities are introducing DRT to fill […]
As a public consultation opens on the future of bus services in West Yorkshire, bus operators from across the region have revealed a dynamic new plan for bus reform. And they are confident it meets the ambitions of the local Mayor, Tracy Brabin. The move comes as WYCA began a public consultation on franchising the […]
A report has concluded that Glasgow should be the first Scottish city to enact bus franchising. Entitled ‘Miles better: Improving public transport in the Glasgow city region’, the report was published by Centre for Cities, an independent research organisation aiming to improving the economies of the UK’s largest cities and towns. It was released in […]
A disagreement has erupted between the owners of McGill’s Buses and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, over franchising. The owner of Scotland’s biggest private bus company has criticised the Mayor’s offer to advise the Scottish Government on bus privatisation. However, the Mayor’s office hit back by claiming there are benefits to franchising that […]
Bus and Coach Buyer’s Group Editor, Mark Williams, has been asked about the funding recently allotted to West Midlands’ bus network on BBC radio. On the Kath Stanczyszyn show on BBC Radio West Midlands this morning (23 October 2023), Mark was asked what impact the West Midlands buses’ £16m share of £50m funding diverted from […]
BYD’s Blade Battery technology – which broke cover at Busworld in Brussels – promises a new level of battery safety. The battery has passed a number of safety tests, including a puncture test which proved it would not ignite and even extreme overcharging and overheating tests which also amplified the Blade Battery’s safety. Many lithium-ion […]