National Express West Midlands staff are due to strike on 16 March. More than 3,000 drivers from the bus operator have voted to take industrial action over a pay dispute, trade union Unite has said. They will be joined by over 200 National Express engineers who voted for industrial action over pay in January. The […]
New operators for services due to withdraw in Greater Manchester have been announced. Last month, Diamond and Vision registered the withdrawal of the 163, 520, 561/562, 575, 527 and 21 bus services. After a bidding process, Go North West will operate the 163, 520, 561/62 and 575 (previously run by Diamond) services while Diamond will […]
TruTac, part of the Microlise Group, is launching a newly developed module which enhances its existing vehicle maintenance and compliance software product, TruFleet. Going live on 6 March, TruFleet Workshop enables users to upgrade to a range of new workshop-focussed features, including the facility to create bespoke templates for all vehicle needs including inspections, repairs, […]
First is operating what has been described as the UK’s first zero-emission autonomous bus service in Oxfordshire. Operated by First Bus and fully accessible for wheelchair and pushchair users, the 15-seater fully electric bus will carry passengers around Milton Park, a business, science and technology park near Didcot and Abingdon. Services will run every 15 […]
Rail disruption has helped National Express’ UK coach patronage increase in 2022, according to the company’s latest set of financial figures. In its full year results for the year ending 31 December 2022, revenue increased to £2.81bn (2021: £2.17bn) at National Express. It reported a group operating loss before tax of £209.9m (2021: £84.9m) during […]
Plans to reform the way Driver CPC (DCPC) training is worked are being consulted over. The key changes include offering in parallel to the existing lengthy training format, which will be reformed, more flexibility with e-learning and a shorter ‘new periodic test’ intended to save employees time and companies up to £460 per test in […]
FirstGroup is committing an additional investment of £35m in the electrification of its bus fleet and infrastructure. As a result, the Group now anticipates total bus capital expenditure of £120-125m in the 2024 financial year. This follows successful applications made in partnership with four local authorities where First Bus operates, to secure £25m of Government […]
Wrightbus is to build 117 battery electric buses for FirstBus with a £25.3m government funding package announced today (2 March 2023). The funding is part of the government’s ambitions to roll-out zero-emission buses. It brings total government funding to almost £300 million for up to 1,395 zero-emission buses in England. The funding is an additional […]