First West of England has reported over six million extra journeys in 2023. The operator, which manages services in Bristol, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Wells and surrounding towns and villages, says almost 53 million passengers travelled this year compared to just over 46 million in 2022. Its figures also show improvements in bus punctuality and a reduction […]
A deep frost had lingered in the Chiltern valleys, jewelling the hedges with sparkling frost and icing the fields white. Frank Capstick stood outside the office in his trademark sheepskin coat and trilby, the vapour from his coffee and his breath pluming in the air as he looked across the fields towards Denner Hill. Two […]
A report has found concessionary travel has dropped by up to a third between 2019 and 2022 in England. Entitled ‘The Impact of Covid on English National Concessionary Travel Journeys’, the study was compiled by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT UK) and the University of Plymouth, through the university spinout company […]
The Welsh Government has today announced that it will protect revenue support for the nation’s bus network as part of its draft Budget announcement. It is to ensure that more than £120m of support will be invested in bus services in 2024/25. Aaron Hill, Director of CPT Cymru, said: “We are pleased to see that […]
Scania has unveiled its next generation of vehicle intelligence and safety features for its buses and coaches. The latest update includes a new electrical architecture, digital dashboard interface, fast and remote diagnostics, customisable digital services, Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates, upgraded Scania Navigation application and improved advanced safety features. The changes allow Scania to comply with […]
Barnes Coaches of Swindon has kicked off its annual driver apprentice scheme for 2024 in a bid to add six more recruits to the team. The trainee recruitment drive began in May 2018: “We saw the driver shortage coming,” said Matt Barnes, a Director at Barnes. “We had too many leaving us, not enough coming […]
Ferry operator DFDS is to launch a video explaining systems which speed groups through the Channel crossings. DFDS has already led from the front by creating an app in 2022 which can be used by operators to log the passports of groups before they reach Dover, helping shave time off the more complex post-Brexit checks. […]
The tragic death of teenager Jessica Baker in the M53 coach accident has prompted the Department for Transport and Department for Education to promise school seatbelt guidance in 2024. The impetus was provided by Liverpool and Wirral Coroner, André Rebello OBE, who issued a Report to Prevent Future Deaths to both government departments. The formal […]