Dods Political Intelligence’s Post

Mass renationalisation of England’s public transport: a case of ipse dixit? Ipse dixit is a Latin term that translates to "he himself said it." In contemporary usage, it refers to an assertion or statement made – often dogmatically – by an individual based solely on their own authority without any supporting evidence. It is often used to criticise arguments or claims that rely solely on the speaker's position, rather than objective evidence or reasoning. “Today is a landmark day. We’re giving every community the power to take back control of their bus services. This will save and create vital routes up and down the country.” That is quite a claim from the Secretary of State quoted in the Independent article linked below. One only has to look to Scotland’s beleaguered rail and ferry services to see that public ownership does not guarantee better quality, more reliable or more affordable services. On 1 April 2022 then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who mastered the art of the authoritative statement without any supporting evidence during her daily Covid TV shows in the two years prior, stated that bringing ScotRail into public ownership was a "historic and momentous occasion" that would "deliver passenger services which are efficient, sustainable, safe and fit for the future". More than two years on since those lofty words, fares have risen by more than double the rate of inflation, service frequencies have been slashed, industrial relations have broken down and no new rolling stock to replace the aging fleet has been ordered. While the claims made on April Fool’s Day that year have yet to materialise, the date chosen to commence nationalised service was perhaps almost prophetic in what was promised compared to what has actually been delivered. Scotland's hard-pressed rail passengers, teased with a peak fares abolition only to then have them reimposed at even higher prices that what went before, could be justified in feeling like they have been taken for fools. That bus and rail are vital national public services is without question. Transport markets are however highly localised and different locations will require different solutions. In the months and years ahead it will be crucial that decisions, the ramifications of which will last for decades, are taken based on context, evidence and sound reasoning – not the ipse dixit of a politician keen to make a name for themselves, or even just to get their name on the side of a train. Personal thoughts and reflections, not reflecting any corporate position. Link to the Independent’s article on England’s Bus Revolution below: https://lnkd.in/eNTmkuVf

#ULEZ & #busgates would be much less controversial & much more effective with reliable, cost-effective public transport. Cheap and reliable public transport requires investment and, as in Queensland (as noted in the linked article), this can sometimes include passenger subsidies. If we’re serious, it’s something to think about. In a different universe, it could be a general election talking point. It could also be something which genuine “Green” politicians could advocate for in Scotland. Obviously Aberdeen City Council would need funding to do this in #Aberdeen. It could be transformational, no? https://lnkd.in/eiqxXbS3

New bus legislation from Transport Secretary Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP gives local authorities more control over services, reshaping public transport across England. This change brings challenges for operators, but also new opportunities with greener fleets and longer-term contracts. For passengers, it promises better service reliability and affordability, particularly in underserved areas. Is your organisation prepared for the shift? https://lnkd.in/ezBQgzM9 #BetterBusesBill #PublicTransport #Sustainability #TransportTransformation

"For many communities, in Scotland and across the world, a half-hourly train service within walking distance is but a pipe dream. In Switzerland, minimum frequency standards for public transport are enshrined in law – meaning each citizen can expect regular provision of bus and train services, even in rural areas. It is administrated at local level, with each of the country's 'cantons' setting out a framework for delivery. In the Zurich canton, for instance, which is roughly comparable with South Yorkshire, England, and includes both urban and rural areas, villages of 300 people or more are guaranteed a bus service at least every hour. In the Bern canton, which is less densely populated than Devon, small villages get at least four and up to 15 return bus services each day." An interesting article contrasting the largely deregulated, privately operated public transport of Scotland to that in Switzerland, where residents are guaranteed minimum service frequencies according to population size and other socio-economic considerations through a regulated, public controlled public transport system. #publictransport #bus #socialexclusion https://lnkd.in/eEXUGy49

As public transport accessibility declines nationwide, Groningen and Drenthe boost bus services to meet rising demand, but broader challenges remain for commuters. Read more using the link below. https://lnkd.in/eFigEn9z

We applaud the Greater Wellington Regional Council for upholding principles of accessibility on their bus network: "... on-board announcements are a step that is extremely important to getting closer to making our public transport the accessible network we want. "Accessibility is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental right." #AccessMattersNZ #AccessMattersAotearoa #AccessLawRightNow #accessibility #A11y https://lnkd.in/g-MHh4jW

Big ticket items for #transport announced in the first #KingsSpeech delivered under a #Labour #government in 15 years include the English Devolution Bill, the Better Buses Bill, the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill and the Rail Reform Bill. Find out what these bills, as well as those concerned with #energy, #planning and #infrastructure, mean for the #UK #transportsector in City Transport & Traffic Innovation Magazine:

The results of our State of UK Public Transport survey with Passenger Transport are in! There's an optimistic outlook on what's ahead, with increasing patronage coming out on top as the biggest opportunity for the sector. Dive into the results here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ej_xwsTy #UKPublicTransport #UKTransportTrends

New rail plans could see Edinburgh to Cardiff route in aim to boost UK #connectivity #Edinburgh rail passengers could soon be able to #travel directly to #Cardiff if new #plans are given the go ahead to introduce #openaccess services across the UK. The move would be part of plans that would see open access services on seven routes that are being developed across the UK to ‘increase competition and reduce fares,’ analysis by the PA News agency found. Millions of people could be seen to benefit from new train services under the plans and it is rumoured that there could be an extension of Lumo’s London King's Cross-Edinburgh route to and from Glasgow. The new type of train service will operate out of three major London stations and could cut fares by 60 per cent and end strikes. Britain's #railways have been repeatedly hit by industrial action in recent years, with a dispute involving members of train drivers' union ASLEF ongoing. It has also been given the go-ahead to run trains between London Paddington and Carmarthen, in south-west Wales, and is consulting on starting services between Edinburgh and Cardiff. Managing director Ian Yeowart said the growth in passenger numbers on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh demonstrated the "significant benefits" of open access. The UK #Government is planning measures to encourage further #proposals, despite concerns that open access services create additional strain on the network and take too much revenue away from conventional #operators. The vast majority of trains in Britain are run by operators either owned or paid management fees by the #UK, #Scottish or #Welsh governments. In contrast, open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. In deciding whether to approve new open access applications, regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) assesses factors such as the benefit to passengers, whether sufficient new revenue will be generated, and the impact on the punctuality of existing services. Rail minister Huw Merriman said the UK Government was working to provide more certainty over the duration of the application assessments, reconsidering the required balance of costs between taxpayers and operators, and ensuring all unused track access slots were made available. “Open access is such a positive thing. It doesn't involve any direct taxpayer subsidies. It also breaths new life in terms of working practices." But rail engineer Gareth Dennis believes open access services should not be permitted in Britain because it is "incredibly complicated" to fit them in among trains run by operators with government contracts, and can "actually reduce overall capacity." He added: "The number of people who benefit from Lumo's cheap tickets is very, very small compared to the overall picture on the rail network."

🌐 🚛Engaging Discussion on Enforcement of Posting Rules in Road Transport Sector Yesterday, while #transport ministers convened informally, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a thematic debate focusing on the enforcement of #posting rules within the #road transport sector. The dialogue was both insightful and collaborative, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities surrounding this crucial aspect of transport legislation. Distinguished speakers, including Baiba Miltovica, Frank Debusscher, Ewa Ptaszyńska, Ewald Oberhammer, Oleg KAMBERSKI, Iwona Kasprzyk - Sowa Mateusz Szymański and Roberto Parillo, shared valuable perspectives. Their insights were instrumental in fostering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved. Key takeaways from the discussion: 👉Awareness and Understanding: It's imperative for all stakeholders, including carriers, drivers, and authorities, to have a clear understanding of the rules governing posting. 👉Cooperation: National authorities must collaborate closely, both domestically and across Member States, to ensure effective enforcement. 👉Targeted Inspections and Data Exchange: Inspections should be focused, and Member States should facilitate the exchange of relevant data. 👉Simplification and Transparency: Efforts should be made to simplify regulations, potentially through the development of digital tools, enhancing transparency in the process. Digital calculator could ease the task for calculating renumeration based on complex rules. 👉Publication of national rules: Member States should publish all applicable rules, with the European Labour Authority (ELA) playing a supportive role in this endeavor. 👉Safety and Conditions for Drivers: Ensuring the safety and well-being of drivers, particularly those from third countries, is paramount. 👉Need for Parking Facilities: Adequate parking facilities are essential, necessitating continued efforts from the European Commission to co-fund safe and secure truck parking areas (SSTPAs) in the period 2025-2027 until the new EU funding programme is put in place. 🙏The event was kindly moderated by Jan Nemec. The EESC's exploratory opinion on Posting of Drivers, adopted in December 2023 at the request of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024, underscores our commitment to addressing these issues. In February 2024, I had the privilege of presenting our conclusions at the High-level conference on road control, organized by the Belgian Presidency. Our work doesn't end here. We remain dedicated to monitoring and evaluating market dynamics to ensure the effectiveness of our regulatory framework. Thank you European Labour Authority, IRU, European Transport Workers' Federation, COMIC - CORPORATE MIGRATION CENTER for your inputs!