Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Friday, 04 October 2019

BBC News

• School transport 'not good enough' for additional needs pupilsChildren are at risk of stress and missing out on education, the children's commissioner says.

Times Online

• A national strategy could put Britain’s buses on the road to a brighter future [subscription]The chancellor announced this week that a National Bus Strategy is to be developed, arguably the first strategic steer for bus policy since they were deregulated more than 30 years ago.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford to pilot transport ‘credits’ scheme to help poorest residents BRADFORD will trial a scheme where some of the districts poorest people will be provided with

Bristol Live

• Council trying to get 16-18 year olds in Bristol free bus travelBut the question is who pays for it?

The York Press

• £800k First York bus upgrade to boost clean air in city YORK’S biggest bus operator has invested £800,000 in a fleet of low emission buses on two of its services.

North Wales Live

• Make councillors take buses and bar them from claiming car mileage ratesThat was the call made by Dylan Fernley at a full meeting of Gwynedd Council in a bid to boost public transport use and save money

Other Regional Press

• First Bus Yorkshire sale could be 'assisted' by West Yorkshire Combined AuthorityMembers are set to recommend £200,000 of public money is spent on bus services

Coach and Bus Week

• Scania launches shorter length Touring HDScania has announced it is to introduce a shorter length version of its Touring HD coach. Based on Scania’s nine-litre 360 horsepower chassis, the coach will be available in 10.9-metres overall length with either 42 seats and rear toilet or 45 seats without a toilet.
• Abellio officially opens Armstrong Way depotOn 25 September, Abellio officially opened its latest London depot, located on Armstrong Way in Southall, following the commencement of operations on Saturday, 13 July. The depot features six engineering workshops and the ability to house up to 135 buses, and Abellio expects it to create 200 new jobs.
• Government prepares for ‘bus revolution’The new measures were announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced a major package of new measures to boost buses at the Conservative Party Conference on Monday. New low-fare, high-frequency ‘Superbus’ networks, Britain’s first all-electric bus town, better information for passengers, and contactless payment on every city bus were some of the stand-out pledges.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• 21st Century to supply East Sussex County Council21st Century Technology, has been awarded the contract to supply East Sussex County Council (ESCC) with real-time passenger information systems.
• National Express West Midlands in biogas trial to inform future policyNational Express West Midlands is evaluating a Scania Alexander Dennis Enviro400CBG biogas-powered double-decker as part of its work to familiarise itself with alternative energy sources.
• Abellio: Bus franchising ‘can be success in Greater Manchester’Operator’s research shows public in favour; Deputy MD Abellio talks of ‘need for buses to change’
• Commuter coach routes are go in HampshireLucketts Travel introduced three commuter coach routes branded Whiteley Connect on Monday (30 September). They serve Whiteley Business Park in Hampshire.
• Wrightbus: ‘Pioneers come and go’The Prime Minister’s assurance of Wrightbus’ future was ‘hollow and meaningless,’ says our man in Westminster
• National Bus Strategy is go: £220m confirmedThe Government has announced it will create a National Bus Strategy, confirming it has earmarked £220m to improve services and boost electric bus operation.

Other News Sources

• Van Hool to present three world premieresFuel cell-powered tram-bus for the French city of Pau is among the innovations being exhibited   In 2017 the French city of Pau placed an order with Van Hool for eight Exqui.City18 FCs   Belgium will host the world’s largest bus and coach show in Brussels later this month, Busworld Europe, an event that attracted 37,000 visitors from around the world when it was last held in 2017. Belgium’s largest bus and coach manufacturer, Van Hool, has a similarly global outlook. The family-owned company manufactures approximately 1,400 buses and coaches and as many as 3,000 commercial vehicles a...
• Is this the sad end of a 73-year-old story?  A short time now exists for someone to lift Wrightbus out of administration, saving a valued supplier and hundreds of jobs   The loss is being most firmly felt in Ballymena, where thousands of jobs have already gone   At the time of going to press old established bus manufacturer Wrightbus was on the brink of collapse, after falling into administration and despite strenuous efforts to find a buyer. Established in 1946 by Robert Wright and his son William, it was originally involved in building vans and later military vehicles. In due course it moved into passenger vehicles ...