There was an 18.8% fall in new bus and coach registrations in 2019, according to the latest statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The latest figure showed annual registrations falling for a third consecutive year to 5,874 units. The year finished on a positive note, however, as 18.5% growth in the […]
London’s route 94 has become the capital’s first all-electric double-deck bus route. Operated by RATP Dev, the route runs between Acton Green and Piccadilly Circus. The electrification of the 94 route follows the 43 and 134 routes in 2019, and brings the current total of electric double-deck buses in the capital to 280. Buses on […]
Thanks to the tenacity of a B&CB correspondent, I now have more of a paper trail which, eventually, led up to the Traffic Commissioner for Wales, Nick Jones, revoking all of the permits held by community transport operator DANSA last year. This was on the eve of his retirement, and I cannot help but read […]
An attendee of the UK Bus Summit on 6 February 2020 has tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The event, held at the QEII Centre in Westminster, saw hundreds of industry professionals gather. Public Health England (PHE) has distributed a letter informing delegates of the attendance of a person found to be infected with […]
In her keynote address, the self-proclaimed “Baroness of the Buses” began by saying: “What a transformational year this is going to be for us all. It’s the start of what I believe is going to be a golden age for buses in this country.” Baroness Vere, Minister with Responsibility for Buses, DfT, said: “It is […]
Blackpool is a town that is re-inventing itself, looking for new opportunities to grow employment and amenity opportunities for its visitors and resident population. At around 139,000, the latter has been in decline for a number of years and faces the added challenges of ageing and deprivation but the town’s unitary authority is delivering on […]
Optare is to supply 37 Metrodecker electric double-deckers to Tower Transit Group. The buses are for use on the operator’s two new electric routes in London. The Metrodecker EV, described by Optare as the world’s first zero-emission double-decker, is now in its second generation, with the initial prototype launched in 2016. The first entered service […]
Stagecoach is launching an on-demand service in the Tees Valley. Unveiled in Hartlepool, the Tees Flex service aims to help residents in more isolated communities across the region travel across Tees Valley. Nine new, high-quality Mercedes-Benz Sprinters will be used for the pilot, which has been funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority. […]