First Bus is collaborating with Openreach, granting the broadband network provider with access to its rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at bus depots nationwide. Openreach joins DPD and Police Scotland in plugging into the shared infrastructure initiative. The initial phase of the partnership will see up to 30 Openreach electric vehicles charging at First […]
First Bus is to become a real Living Wage (RLW) employer from 1 April 2024. The move means that 1,300 colleagues across the UK will benefit from a rise in wages in line with the new commitment, bringing every employee to at least £12 per hour in pay rates. These colleagues are spread across the […]
From 1 February 2024 all Norfolk residents who hold a disabled concessionary travel pass will be eligible for free bus travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week when travelling within the county. The decision was made by Norfolk County Council. Previously concessionary pass holders with a disability were only able to travel for […]
Vehicle repower specialist Equipmake has doubled its fleet repowering agreement with Big Bus Tours. The development follows on from an initial contract with the sightseeing company that was announced in September 2023 to repower ten Ankai double-deck, open-top buses to electric power. The agreement has now been extended to a fleet of 20 vehicles. The […]
A ‘last bus promise’ has been made for the first time in the West Midlands Bus Passenger Charter. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and bus operators have made a commitment to deliver a minimum standard of service under the Charter. It includes a ‘last bus promise’ under which passengers whose final bus of the day […]
Making its return this year is the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge. Back for its 12th anniversary, the event is taking ‘Challenging the Status Quo’ as its theme this year, which IRTE says embodies its commitment to driving innovation, workforce excellence, and empowering the next generation of bus and coach technicians. The Skills Challenge […]
While cars provided much of the London EV Show’s headline glamour, there were light commercial vehicles from several manufacturers including DAF, Ford and Saic Maxus (supplied by Heathrow LDV Ltd) whose products can also form the basis of minibus conversions. The sole representation of the bus manufacturing industry was a shell stand occupied by Karsan […]
Transdev-owned Rosso is boosting driver pay as it promotes its recruitment drive. The bus firm is now offering qualified bus drivers a newly increased pay rate of £15 an hour to join its teams in Blackburn and Burnley, while trainee drivers will now earn £14 an hour for their first 12 months before joining those […]