YEARS 2011 | 2021
ISSUE 251 15 OCTOBER 2021
NEWS, VIEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR A SECTOR ON THE MOVE
Could driver shortage NI pushes with break viability of buses? ahead growth plans NEWS
National media coverage has focused on the impact that driver shortages are having on haulage, but some bus operators fear long term consequences
Bus operators are struggling to retain and recruit drivers
Bus operators around the country are feeling the impact of driver shortages, with one operator warning that a sustained shortfall could undermine the economic model for buses. Stephensons of Essex owner Bill Hiron was one of a number of operators contacted by Passenger Transport. He fears that shortages are unlikely to ease in the short term and “a very seismic shift” in wages may be required. He warned: “The challenge with that is, in the bus industry, if you put in that level of wage increase the whole economic model of bus operation just disappears.” NEWS EXTRA: PAGES 4-5
We need HS2 and NPR in full - TfN Anything less is ‘shirking one of the biggest decisions for our country in a generation’ The North of England needs HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail in full in order to truly ‘build back better’ and ‘level up’, Transport for the North warned this week. Responding to reports that the Integrated Rail Plan will be “bad news” for the North of England, Cllr Louise Gittins, interim chair of the sub-national transport body, said: “These reports are disappointing. I hope that this is not the case, as the prime minister said only last week
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in Manchester that transport is “one of the supreme leveller-uppers” and he was very clear in saying he “will do Northern Powerhouse Rail”. “But to truly deliver on these words it means: the full NPR network that properly connects
“These reports are disappointing” Louise Gittins, TfN
the North East to the North West; serious investment in a Northern Infrastructure Pipeline to upgrade local areas for the 21st century; and a genuine devolution offer as set out in our Northern Transport Charter with a devolved Northern Budget ... Anything less will not only be “bad news” for people living in the North, but it will be shirking one of the biggest decisions for our country in a generation. HS2 DOUBTS: PAGE 7
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BRT and rail expansion coming
ENVIRONMENT
UK transport NGOs to host COP26 event
14
Role of community action highlighted
INNOVATION & TECH
‘Let’s upend the status quo of transport’
16
Autonomous ‘pods’ system is launched
COMMENT
‘We’ve arrived at another crunch point’
18
Jonathan Bray sees big challenges
COMMENT
‘The final nail in the coffin?’
20
Alex Warner on rail franchising’s demise
13/10/2021 17:52