South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, signals the region is going ‘back to the future’ with bus franchising. The announcement follows a consultation on franchising, which resulted in 87% of the 7,800 respondents saying they either strongly supported or supported in part the introduction of bus franchising. Under bus franchising, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) […]
Kent-based Go-Coach has changed ownership, returning to being fully independent and locally owned. The bus operator was acquired by Hulleys of Baslow in December 2023, but has now returned to Austin Blackburn’s ownership. Austin previously ran the business until December 2023 and completed a management buyout on 28 February 2025. Austin will continue in his […]
Government figureheads and industry professionals met at the first UK bus manufacturing panel in Sheffield. Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, hosted the debut event at Canon Medical Arena, alongside industry experts from organisations including bus manufacturers, the Urban Transport Group and the Confederation of Passenger Transport. Discussions explored ways of ensuring that the UK remains a leader in bus […]
Reg’s Coaches of Hertfordshire is to acquire Cambridgeshire-based Shaws Coaches. B&CB reported in its 7 March 2025 issue (1698) that Shaws of Maxey was to close down due to the management team planning to retire. It announced it would run its fleet until 2 May 2025. The news of the Shaws management’s retirement sparked the […]
Go North West is to trial a repowered Wrightbus in service on the Bee Network. The Go-Ahead-owned already operates 69 electric buses from its Bolton depot. This is the first bus on the Bee Network to be converted from diesel to electric. It is currently being trialled to evaluate energy efficiency, range, operational costs and […]
First Bus is partnering with Strut Safe, a volunteer-operated support telephone line offering a friendly voice at the end of the phone for those travelling or walking home alone. As part of its partnership, First Bus will showcase Strut Safe’s contact number on over 500 onboard digital screens and posters across more than 2,200 buses in […]
First Bus is opening 12 new learning centres, delivering on a learning agreement established in partnership with Unite the Union. The partnership is also supported by the RMT Union and is to promote continuous learning and skill development for up to 10,000 frontline employees across the UK. It includes the creation of six new learning […]
VEV, the e-fleet solutions provider, has announced the completion of Stagecoach’s electric bus hub at its Chesterfield depot. The project is one of four depot electrification initiatives announced between VEV and Stagecoach, which will collectively support 150 electric buses in Chesterfield, Leamington, Nuneaton and Rugby. Working closely with Stagecoach, VEV provided support for its electrification […]