Bus Ambassador

In a landmark announcement, Mayor Steve Rotheram has revealed plans to invest nearly £110 million in the Liverpool City Region bus network. This substantial funding aims to significantly enhance bus services across the area, reflecting a commitment to improving public transport for residents.

In a significant development for the future of London's public transportation, Alexander Dennis has confirmed its first order from a London operator for its next-generation electric buses. This move marks a major step forward in the capital's efforts to enhance its transport infrastructure with sustainable and efficient solutions.

Greater Manchester is undergoing a transportation revolution with the Bee Network, an ambitious initiative designed to create an integrated, reliable and affordable public transport system. With locally controlled buses outperforming commercial networks, cheaper fares on the horizon, and significant investments in active travel infrastructure, the Bee Network aims to connect the city-region like never before. We explore the latest developments and future plans for Greater Manchester's transport and active travel landscape. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) Locally Controlled Buses The Bee Network's bus services, launched in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester, have shown improvements since coming under local control in September last year. Over the past six months, passenger numbers have increased by 5%, with over 849,000 journeys recorded in the week ending 18th May – the highest weekly patronage since franchising began. Service reliability has also seen a sign...

A groundbreaking collaboration between data scientists in Liverpool and South Korea is set to revolutionise bus travel in the Liverpool City Region. Researchers are developing a 'digital twin' of the area's transport system, a sophisticated digital replica that will simulate various scenarios, such as route adjustments and fare reductions. This innovative approach aims to enhance service quality, shorten journey times, and encourage more residents to use buses. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) Enhancing Connectivity with Advanced Data Modelling Leveraging cutting-edge data modelling techniques and real-time vehicle location data, the digital twin will assist transport leaders in improving regional connectivity, ultimately benefiting the local community and addressing transport inequalities. Currently, about 82% of public transport journeys in the Liverpool City Region are made by bus, underscoring the importance of this network. Building on International Collaboration The init...

First Bus has made a significant leap in their journey towards sustainability by placing the largest single order of Yutong Electric buses with Pelican Bus and Coach, the UK importer. This major order of 169 electric buses will be delivered to four depot sites: Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Basildon and Hengrove in Bristol, within the next 16 months. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) Expansion of Zero-Emission Fleet This latest investment is part of First Bus's ambitious plan to operate more than 800 zero-emission vehicles across the UK, supported by EV charging infrastructure at 16 depot sites. The order includes a mix of single and double-decker buses from Yutong's E10, E12, and U11DD models, expanding the company’s current Yutong EV operations in Aberdeen, Leeds and in Wales. Investment and Funding First Bus's investment, valued at £89 million, covers 178 zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure across four regions. Additional funding of £16 million has been secured t...