Local Transport Today is the authoritative, independent journal for transport decision makers. Analysis, Comment & News on Transport Policy, Planning, Finance and Delivery since 1989.

Doors left ajar for further rail devolution
Rhodri Clark

The UK Government will not transfer ownership of Scottish rail infrastructure to the Scottish Government, but said last week that a solution had been found to achieving vertical integration of train operations and infrastructure in Scotland. Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland’s director of rail reform, recently said the lack of vertical integration was a “continued difficulty” which had been discussed with the DfT (LTT925). Some respondents to the consultation on GBR said Scottish infrastructure should be devolved. Others warned that this could lead to further fragmentation and limit GBR’s ability to deliver a coherent network. “Reflecting on the feedback, as Scottish Ministers fund and are responsible for Scottish railway activities, an organisational solution... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Transport Secretary will retain considerable power, including on fares
Peter Stonham

One of the main talking points in rail circles since Labour was elected last year is the extent to which GBR will be left to run the network without interference from the Government and civil service. Last week, the Government said: “While Ministers will set its overarching objectives and... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News
Transport Committee launches inquiry into bill

Transport Committee launches inquiry into bill
Deniz Huseyin

The House of Commons Transport Committee has issued an urgent Call for Evidence ahead of an inquiry into the new Railways Bill. Its MPs... continue

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13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

New technology and social trends mean new road user charging urgent, says ITF
Peter Stonham

Urgently adopting distance-based digitally managed road user charges, at a minimum for electric vehicles, should be a priority for governments, a new report from the International Transport Forum urges. Distance-based charges should be levied on heavy vehicles as a key plank of... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Iceland and Singapore charging systems praised

Several countries have made progress in implementing key aspects of the ITF recommendations, the report says. Fuel tax has been fully replaced by a distance-based charge in Iceland; Singapore has adopted a Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS-) based user charging system for all... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

New Carbon Budget majors on EVs to cut transport-related emissions
Peter Stonham

Accelerating the shift towards zero emission cars is among the central ambitions set out in the Government’s new Carbon Budget and Growth and Delivery Plan (CBGDP).According to the multi-sector plan, the UK’s shift to a “cleaner, more efficient and better integrated transport... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News
Reform school transport proposal would take children ‘back to Victorian era’, says Phillipson

Reform school transport proposal would take children ‘back to Victorian era’, says Phillipson
Deniz Huseyin

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has reacted angrily to the leader of Warwickshire... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

SEND reforms need to address home to school transport pressures, says NAO report
Deniz Huseyin

Councils are struggling to balance their legal duty to provide transport for eligible pupils and the duty to balance budgets, states a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO). The body recommends that the Department for Education’s upcoming reforms to the SEND (Special Educational Needs... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Welsh Regional Transport Plans take effect – but must wait for more funding
Rhodri Clark

The Regional Transport Plans (RTPs) for each of the four regions of Wales have taken effect, but there is only a small increase in capital funding for “regional transport and active travel” in the 2026/27 budget published by the Welsh Government last week. Welsh RTPs ended in 2014 when... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News
13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Focus on quick steps to upgrade city transport service offer, report urges mayors
Peter Stonham

A new Centre for Cities report on the benefits of integrated transport for urban areas stresses the impacts of making existing public transport systems ‘better’ rather than ‘bigger’. It claims the concept is under-explored in the UK, but that the current policy landscape... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

First Group tries again with ORR for more Lumo open access routes
Peter Stonham

First Group has come up with further new Open Access rail service applications for its Lumo operation despite previous knock backs from the DfT and Office of Rail and Road (ORR). One of the proposals is a new direct route between Cardiff and York, with six return services each weekday from December... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News
£3.6m revamp for 180-year-old Filey station

£3.6m revamp for 180-year-old Filey station

Filey station on the North Yorkshire coast has received a £3. 6m upgrade. Network Rail worked with partners to refurbish the grade II-listed building, which opened... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News
13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

EU launches €500bn high speed network expansion plan including links to airports

The European Commission has launched an action plan to significantly accelerate the development of high-speed rail services across Europe. The initiative aims to cut travel times between major cities by promoting faster, more comfortable, and sustainable rail services, which is intended to reduce... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Number of bus passenger journeys in West Yorkshire drops by 8%
Deniz Huseyin

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has reported a sharp decline in bus passenger numbers in the region. New data shows that the number of passengers this summer was 8% lower than during the summer of 2024, representing 2. 3m fewer bus journeys during the three-month period. At a meeting last... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Coppard proposes South Yorks fare freezes and cut
Deniz Huseyin

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has proposed a freeze on Supertram fares and the child concessionary fare across bus and tram, along with a cut to the long distance single Supertram fare. The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

TfGM seeks sole contractor for £399m bus and tram shelter project
Deniz Huseyin

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is seeking a sole contractor for all its bus and tram shelters. The 15-year contract is worth an estimated £399m, which includes the replacement, refurbishment, maintenance and cleaning of shelters, as well as the advertising rights. According to TfGM,... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Government accused of sidelining key Ely rail freight improvement scheme
Peter Stonham

Doubt surrounds the prospects for a key freight-related rail upgrade scheme following conflicting signals from the government. The shadow transport secretary has accused Labour of “deliberately misleading the public” after the Department for Transport (DfT) declined to back a... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Plans to revive direct trains between Swindon and Birmingham
Deniz Huseyin

Plans have been unveiled to revive the direct rail route between Swindon and Birmingham, which was last in operation more than 20 years ago. The service could be reinstated through the £1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub project designed to improve rail connections across the Midlands, South West and... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Report to DfT examines scope for matching ‘big data’ and user behaviour surveys
Peter Stonham

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published an assessment of a new approach of generating travel insights by combining smartphone sensor-derived data (‘big’ data) and specific online user surveys (‘deep’ data). The pilot applications of the Fusion of User Surveys and... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

DfT’s 10-year vision for walking and cycling offers local leaders more powers

The Government has published a draft of its 10-year vision giving local leaders more power to meet active travel targets. The third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3), which has now gone out for consultation, aims to encourage  councils across England to embed active travel into... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News
13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Motorway service operators sign up to accessibility pledge
Deniz Huaseyin

Motorway service operators have signed up to a pledge with independent transport watchdog Transport Focus to make services more accessible for disabled customers. Under the initiative Moto, Roadchef, Welcome Break, Extra and Getlink Customs Services to consult disabled customers prior to building... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

Motorway service operators sign up to accessibility pledge
Deniz Huaseyi

Motorway service operators have signed up to a pledge with independent transport watchdog Transport Focus to make services more accessible for disabled customers. Under the initiative Moto, Roadchef, Welcome Break, Extra and Getlink Customs Services to consult disabled customers prior to building... continue

13 Nov 2025Local Transport Today News

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