Whippet is to operate autonomous buses as part of a trial. The operator believes it is the first independent operator to trial such vehicles. Whippet has joined the consortium as the new operator for the Connector autonomous bus trial. It follows Stagecoach’s withdrawal from the project earlier this year. The pilot scheme, led by the […]
RHA’s charity arm, RHA Benevolent Fund, is providing up to 20 starter tool boxes for apprentice engineers. It has teamed up with Draper Tools and HGV Direct to provide the starter sets, which include pliers, spanners and socket sets and also includes a roller chest and top box. RHA Benevolent Fund has also funded a […]
New rules surrounding public procurement are coming into practice. Among other features, the updated rules introduce SME-friendly policies. For help in preparing for the new legislation, legal specialist Stone King is to hold a webinar on the new public procurement rules on 30 April 2025. The free session is scheduled to run from 1pm to […]
Stagecoach East Midlands is launching its 12 Skegness Seasiders for the 2025 season. The fleet of ten hybrid open-top buses and two hybrid closed-top buses (Rocky, Sandy, Shelly, Candy, Pierre, Salty, Sunny, Teddy, Milly, Rolly, Sweetie and Scoop) will be in full service throughout April until the end of October half-term, but may be out […]
Alexander Dennis has donated an Enviro400 that had previously been used as a test and development vehicle to the Change Please Foundation. Change Please is a social enterprise tackling homelessness by training people to become baristas and supporting them with everything they need to turn their lives around – a living wage job, accommodation advice, therapy, […]
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 […]