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Friday, 24 September 2021

BBC News

• Stagecoach workers balloted over strike actionUnite claims bus routes across Scotland

Times Online

• Trade unions warn National Express of industrial unrest at Stagecoach [subscription]National Express could be driving into a storm of industrial disputes in its planned takeover of Stagecoach, trade unions have warned.

Daily Record

• Drivers and passengers attacked on busy Scots bus route as services haltedMcGill's chiefs have pulled the 752/26A through Love Street in Paisley after a series of incidents in the past week.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Three quarters of Bradford's bus fleet now meets greener targetsNEWS that three quarters of Bradford’s bus fleet meet greener emission standards has been welcomed, but some Councillors fear neighbouring areas are being left behind.

Yorkshire Post

• West Yorkshire's bus network is 'broken', warns mayor Tracy BrabinThe West Yorkshire Combined Authority is currently in the process of investigating the potential of bringing bus services back under public control in a franchising model already due to be introduced in Greater Manchester from 2023.

Other Regional Press

• First Bus Glasgow launches tech to charge a double decker in four hoursFIRST Bus is now able to fully charge its electric buses in four hours at what is set to be the UK’s largest Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub.

Coach and Bus Week

• Stagecoach electrifies Scottish routesStagecoach announces new sustainability strategy aiming to deliver a greener, healthier and fairer Scotland
• Leeds launches UK’s first solar-powered park and rideLeeds has opened its third park and ride site, at Stourton to the south of the city and served by a fleet of battery-electric ADL double-deckers operated by First Leeds, as part of efforts by West Yorkshire Combined Authority to decarbonise the transport sector and to reduce congestion and commuting times.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• UK’s first solar-powered park and ride service launched in StourtonThe UK’s first solar-powered park and ride service has been launched in Leeds, using five battery-electric Alexander Dennis (ADL) BYD Enviro400EV double deckers.
• RATP Dev and Tower Transit to form West London JVRATP Dev UK and Tower Transit have announced a joint venture (JV) in West London that will be effective from December. RATP Dev Transit London will operate 115 routes from 10 depots. RATP Dev will be the majority partner and Tower Transit will hold a 12.5% interest.
• Coalition calls on government to speed up zero-emission bus rolloutSignatories of a letter sent to Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke have called on the government to use the forthcoming Spending Review to set out a road map to accelerate the introduction of zero-emission buses and infrastructure.
• Equipmake reveals Jewel E battery-electric double-deckerEquipmake has revealed its Jewel E battery-electric double-decker bus. The model will be produced in partnership with Spanish coachbuilder Beulas and it will offer a maximum of 543kW/h of onboard energy storage.
• Big range promises for Wrightbus GB Kite single-deck ZE modelsWrightbus has promised an up to 640-mile range for its new hydrogen fuel cell-electric GB Kite Hydroliner single-decker and an up to 300-mile range for the battery-electric GB Kite Electroliner. The range will debut at the Cenex-LCV2021 event, to be held at UTAC Millbrook on 22-23 September.
• National Express confirms consideration of bid for StagecoachNational Express has confirmed that it is considering making an offer to buy Stagecoach. If completed, the deal will deliver “significant operational efficiencies across the combined networks” and accelerate the expansion of National Express’s key growth sectors, including into the corporate, shuttle and private hire coach market, it says. Combination of the two groups would also position the resulting business well in an evolving bus industry landscape.
• Messaging key to patronage recovery, Senedd Committee toldRebuilding long-term custom with the aid of positive messaging from senior politicians is the absolute priority for the coach and bus industry in Wales, the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee was told by sector representatives on 16 September. 

Other News Sources

• ‘No alternatives’ to reducing car use, says Go North West MDReducing car travel is the only option to meeting global emissions targets, a senior bus industry official has said.
• Children in Chester village made to take three-hour round trip every day as school bus is axedThe Government funding for the school bus service has been pulled, leaving children as young as 11 needing to get multiple public buses