Category: General

Government pledges £80 million to support buses into 2025

Older woman using bus. Government pledges £80 million to support buses into 2025

28 September 2023 – The government has pledged a further £80 million to support buses into 2025.

The funding will protect essential bus services and allow local authorities to make the improvements that would most benefit their communities.

Roads Minister Richard Holden today confirmed allocations for 64 local authorities across England from the £80 million investment in the bus service improvement plan+ (BSIP+) for 2024 to 2025.

Older woman using bus. Government pledges £80 million to support buses into 2025

Local authorities can use the funding to improve local buses by bringing in new services or routes, extending timetables through new morning or evening buses or making tickets cheaper through reduced fares for elderly or young people. They can also protect hundreds of bus services with low passenger numbers so that people who rely on them for essential services can continue to access their local bus.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:  “Buses are the most popular form of public transport and millions of people across the country from the Tees Valley to Torbay rely on their local service to get to work, attend medical appointments and see loved ones.

“We are providing a further £80 million to help local authorities improve and protect essential services, delivering for local communities across the country by enhancing transport connections, supporting passengers and growing the economy.”

Today also marks the publication of the £2 Bus Fare Cap Second Interim Evaluation Report, analysing the initial impact of the cap in January and February 2023, the first 2 months of the measure.

£80 million to support buses into 2025: read the full story on the Department for Transport website.

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Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2022-23

Bus stands at a bus stop with The City Hall building in the background in downtown Belfast Northern Ireland on a cloudy day.. Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2022-23

27 September 2023 – The annual report providing public transport statistics for Northern Ireland has been published and contains statistics for 2022-23.

The report presents statistics on public transport operated by Translink and it brings together information on public transport journeys, vehicles and staff. It is produced by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB).

Bus stands at a bus stop with The City Hall building in the background in downtown Belfast Northern Ireland on a cloudy day.. Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2022-23

The key points on public transport journeys are:

  • In 2022-23, there were 73.5 million journeys on public transport; this was an increase of 14.2 million or 23.9% since 2021-22, but a decrease of 11.9% from 2019-20 (83.4 million).
  • During 2022-23, there were, 60.6 million bus passenger journeys, an increase of 19.9% when compared with 2021-22 (50.5 million), but a decrease of 11.3% from 2019-20 (68.3 million journeys).
  • There were 12.9 million rail passenger journeys in 2022-23, an increase of 47.4% when compared with 2021-22 (8.8 million) but a decrease of 14.7% from 2019-20 (15.1 million).
  • In March 2023, the number of bus passenger journeys reached it’s highest monthly level since the beginning of the pandemic with 6.7 million journeys. Monthly rail passenger journeys reached a post-pandemic peak of 1.4 million in December 2022.

The Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2022-23 report includes data on public transport passenger journeys during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Read the full report.

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Omnibus parent company rebrands to Velociti Group

Transport technology specialist Omnibus parent company rebrands to Velociti Group

24 July 2023 – Today, UK-based EPM Transport Solutions, transport technology specialists and parent company of EPM Bus Solutions, Omnibus Solutions, 3Squared, and FabDigital has announced it has rebranded to Velociti Group.

The company launched the new identity, including new name and logo, to better communicate its purpose to deliver innovative software and specialist consultancy to power public transportation.

Transport technology specialist Omnibus parent company rebrands to Velociti Group

This new fresh identity represents Velociti’s dynamism, agility and energy. Along with the brand-new look, Velociti Group’s innovative message is ‘The Future. Accelerated’.

Through pioneering technology and a first-class approach to implementation, Velociti Group tackles the challenges faced by those seeking to create an improved and greener future for customers, operators and infrastructure owners in both rail and bus sectors.

Ian Churchill, CEO at Velociti Group, commented: “We are delighted to launch Velociti Group, a new name and vibrant identity that effectively embodies us as a group. Velociti Group encompasses a wealth of heritage and ambition from across the rail and bus sectors and we are pleased to reflect this in our new brand.

“Velociti Group companies will continue to operate as individual entities while the new group identity will bring them together as a collective, with the combined aim of creating a better future for forward-thinking organisations seeking to improve outcomes in rail and bus transport.”

-END-

ABOUT VELOCITI GROUP
Velociti Group provides software and services to transport operators and local authorities to optimise their operations. Velociti Group trades through four distinct brands – EPM Bus Solutions (https://www.epm-bus.com/), Omnibus Solutions (https://omnibus.solutions/), 3Squared (https://3squared.com/) and FabDigital (https://www.fabcomms.co.uk/index.php?page=fab-digital)

 

MEDIA INFORMATION
For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Amy Jeffs, MD & Communications Consultant, Hey Me
Email: amy@heyme.co.uk
Telephone: +44 7576 847637

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Transport user personas developed to support DfT

Transport user personas

19 July 2023 – The Department for Transport (DfT) has developed a set of user personas to understand the needs, behaviours and travel preferences of different types of passengers – and ensure transport systems work for everyone.

The diversity is captured with 12 different personas to reflect 9 groups of people. The groups were developed from existing research that was validated and updated by a large-scale survey and ethnographic study in 2022.

Transport user personas

The evidence that feeds into these personas covers the population aged 16 and over in England only. The personas are intended to provide a tool that makes it easier to put passengers and people at the heart of their decision-making.

Read the full report: Transport user personas

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New campaign encourages older people to Take the Bus

Campaign encourages older people to use free bus travel

17 July 2023 – Older and eligible disabled people are being urged to make the most of free bus travel, through a new government campaign launched this month.

The ‘Take the Bus’ campaign is targeting people aged 66 and above, and disabled people who are eligible for a concessionary pass after statistics show concessionary journeys are down by more than a third since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Campaign encourages older people to use free bus travel

Along with the government’s £2 bus fare cap scheme, the campaign aims to get more people using the bus to help reduce congestion and emissions while supporting the bus industry and helping grow the economy.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “We want those eligible to embrace all the benefits their concessionary pass can bring, with free bus travel allowing them to enjoy great trips out – all they need to do is ‘take the bus’. Around £1 billion a year of central and local government funding goes towards concessionary passes to help older and disabled people get out and about while saving them money and helping grow the economy.”

Read the full story: New campaign to boost free bus travel this summer

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Our changing travel – how people’s travel choices are changing

Our changing travel – how people’s travel choices are changing

6 July 2023 – The Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned research into public attitudes, travel needs, and behaviours regarding travel following the pandemic and in response to other challenges, such as the rising cost of living and climate change.

The research involved an online survey of a representative sample of 2,345 adults aged 16-75 across England, 10 online focus group discussions in November 2022 to supplement the survey findings and 15 in-depth interviews to follow-up and explore key topics in February 2023.

Our changing travel – how people’s travel choices are changing

The report compares data from November 2022 and November 2021 and in the three months immediately before the pandemic period.

Key findings include:

  • In November 2022, just under a third of people (30%) said they avoided public transport due to concerns around Coronavirus, a proportion which had fallen since November 2021 (46%). However, it is notable that nearly a third of people said they did avoid public transport for this reason. Focus group discussions highlighted the importance people placed on adequate ventilation and cleanliness.
  • When people in November 2022 were asked what would encourage them to use public transport more, financial incentives were most mentioned, along with more frequent and punctual services, whilst issues related to Coronavirus (ventilation, low numbers of Coronavirus cases) were mentioned less.
  • A third of people (33%) agreed they found it difficult to choose the most suitable ticket when travelling by public transport. Focus group participants suggested that clearer and more visible information about current ticketing options was needed.

Read the full report: Our changing travel – how people’s travel choices are changing

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£2 bus fare cap extended until 31 October 2023

£2 bus fare cap scheme extended until 31 October

3 July 2023 – The government’s £2 bus fare cap scheme has been extended for another 4 months. The £2 bus fare cap – previously due to come to an end on 30 June – will now continue until 31 October 2023, helping passengers save a third off the average ticket price.

The offer will be available for single bus tickets on over 5,000 routes in England outside London. The scheme will then continue at £2.50 for one year until November 2024, thanks to £200 million in government funding.

£2 bus fare cap scheme extended until 31 October

In its first 3 months, the £2 fare cap has brought down bus fares in England outside London by 8%. Research from Transport Focus has also revealed that 11% of respondents are using the bus more thanks to the cap, with 80% agreeing that the £2 tickets have helped with the cost of living.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “For the past 6 months, people across England have made the most of £2 bus tickets, which is one of the key ways we’re supporting households with the cost of living.

“Now we’ve extended the £2 fare cap, people can continue to ‘Get Around for £2’ throughout the summer – taking advantage of the bus for affordable holiday trips, to get to work, access medical appointments, and see loved ones.”

Read the full news story.

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Interim report – £2 bus fare cap evaluation

£2 bus fare cap evaluation

17 May 2023 – An independent evaluation of the £2 bus fare cap has been published by the Department for Transport (DfT). 

Observations from the first month of the scheme include:

  • take-up of the scheme varied by region, rurality, household income and car ownership
  • awareness of the scheme was high with national news acting as the main channel for raising awareness
  • early evidence suggests a potentially positive impact on patronage and the cost of living
£2 bus fare cap evaluation

The scheme was launched by the DfT on 1 January 2023. It was originally due to run until 31 March 2023 but has since been extended for an additional 3 months to the end of June 2023. During this period, bus operators can voluntarily implement a £2 cap on eligible single tickets for adults. The aims of the fare cap are to save passengers money and encourage more people back on the bus.

The evaluation, carried out by Frontier Economics and SYSTRA, is ongoing and further findings will be published when completed.

Full report: Evaluation of the £2 bus fare cap

£2 bus fare cap extended to protect vital services

£2 bus fare cap extended to protect vital services

17 May 2023 – The £2 bus fare cap has been extended for passengers across England to access vital bus services, thanks to £500 million in government funding.

The Transport Secretary today confirmed £300 million to protect vital routes and improve services until 2025 that people rely on for work, education, medical appointments and shopping.

£2 bus fare cap extended to protect vital services

The government will also provide up to £200 million to continue capping single bus fares at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024.

While initially introduced only as a temporary measure, the £2 fare cap has been extended for the second time to continue helping people save money on travel. Since it started on 1 January this year, the £2 fare has encouraged more people to use the bus.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day. That’s why we’re investing half a billion pounds to help people save money amid cost of living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.”

Read the full news story: Government extends £2 bus fare cap and protects vital services

Onboard bus announcements to be mandatory

Onboard bus announcements to be law

30 March 2023 – Onboard bus announcements are to become mandatory across Britain’s bus network to enable disabled passengers to travel more confidently.

Today, the Department for Transport is introducing rules that will require almost every local bus or coach service to provide audible announcements and visual displays identifying the route and direction, each upcoming stop, and the beginning of any diversions.

Onboard bus announcements to be law

The government is supporting industry to upgrade their vehicles, with £4.65 million in funding for the smallest bus and coach companies, and the changes will be implemented gradually, with almost all vehicles required to comply by October 2026.

At present, there is patchy provision across the country, with only 30% of buses outside London providing this information, which can be a major barrier for disabled people wanting to travel by bus or coach.

Roads and Accessibility Minister Richard Holden said: “Everyone deserves to take the bus with confidence, and this is a massive boost for passenger independence. Simple and effective audible and visible information should be a baked-in feature of a modern bus service to help people reach their destination, wherever they travel in Great Britain.”

Read the full story: New onboard announcements to make Britain’s buses accessible for everyone