Go North East has improved its service for customers who buy their tickets on-line with the ‘key’ smartcard. Those purchasing a ticket before 21.00 via the internet can now be guaranteed to be able to use it the next day. Previously, the company asked customers to allow 48 hours between purchasing a ‘key’ smartcard ticket […]
Revised guidance for local authorities on best practice when procuring local bus services and other types of road passenger transport has been published. According to Transport Minister, Baroness Kramer, the recommendations in the guidance should help save money. The publication offers a range of advice for all those within local authorities involved in securing these […]
FirstGroup is trading in line with its management’s expectations, according to its half yearly results for the six months to 30 September 2013. At Group level, its revenue amounted to £3,300.7m (H1 2012: £3,250m), a rise of 1.6%. Its EBITDA was up 2.6% to £269.2m (H1 2012: £262.3m) and its operating profit was £109.9m (H1 […]
A proposed £13.5m redevelopment of Leicester’s Haymarket Bus Station has taken a step closer to being implemented with the submission of a formal planning application. If approved, the project would be funded with £10m set aside by Leicester City Council as part of the Economic Action Plan. The City Council is planning to build a […]
Bus passengers know very little about the way bus services are operated and financed, according to a new study by independent watchdog, Passenger Focus. Another finding of the ‘Giving passengers a voice in bus services’ research was that bus users want their views to be given much more weight when decisions are being made. The […]
From 15 November 2013, new rules on bringing laden vehicles for driving tests start, affecting D1+E (minibus and trailer) and D+E(bus or coach and trailer). According to the DSA, the rules are being introduced in the interests of road safety to more accurately assess the driving of heavier, laden vehicles, which drivers will be in […]
A new £1m community minibus fund has been announced by Scottish Transport Minister, Keith Brown. Described as a ‘one-off’ for this financial year, the fund is intended to help CT operators buy new vehicles to expand their services or replace older vehicles. The fund will be jointly administered by the Community Transport Association (CTA) and […]
Sector skills council, People 1st, has expressed a ‘cautious welcome’ to the changes to apprenticeship programmes recently announced by the government. The Prime Minister claims the reformed scheme will bring greater focus on quality for the learner and ease of use for employers. The reformed apprenticeships will be employer led and designed so they respond […]