'H' (Dave Holladay)’s Post

65% growth - yes you read that right In predominantly rural territory too. This is what can happen when you take a systematic approach to a long distance bus route upgrade. It’s about more than replacing an old diesel bus with a new electric bus and giving yourself a pat on the back- it’s about using the opportunity for: - a carefully planned and thought through approach to fares and the timetable - high spec interiors for the vehicles - targeted promotions I’ve been on it and it is a prime example of how the more can be greater than the sum of the parts. It’s also an indicator of what can be achieved through public control of buses in Wales.

It was great to see the recent announcement of 62 brand new zero emission buses that will be serving key bus routes across Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport (on the doorstep of our Solent Office!) from April. The zero emission buses have been secured thanks to a partnership between Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council and a £12.7m investment from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding. First Solent’s new fleet is a first for bus travel in the area and leads the way in reducing emissions and improving air quality. The electric buses will replace part of First Bus South’s current diesel fleet and overall, it is expected that each electric bus will save up to 60 tonnes of tailpipe emissions per year and will have a rapid charging time of just 2.5 hours. This is combined with the recent purchase of a new purpose built electric First Bus depot in Hilsea which will, when complete, have the capability to run a fully electrified bus fleet of up to 90 vehicles.   Bus passengers will also benefit from the £2 flat fare for a single journey, in operation until the end of the year, which will hopefully have a positive impact to support Portsmouth City Council’s ambition to get more people back on the bus and reduce reliance on private car use.   It is positive to see continued investment in public and sustainable transport infrastructure, especially following publication of the October 2023 ‘The Plan for Drivers’ policy paper, which has led to many debates regarding the mixed messages of priorities between national and local government ambitions.   New electric buses create a buzz in Portsmouth and Fareham (firstbus.co.uk)

In the first year of operation, electric TrawsCymru buses running the T1 route between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth in South West #Wales have seen a 65% increase in passenger numbers. Promotional offers have helped encourage more people to use the #sustainable transport service including a £10 travel all-day for two adults and two children summer group ticket, an integrated rail and bus ticket for cheaper travel from #Cardiff to #Aberystwyth and 50% off journeys during September’s ‘Catch the Bus’ month. Launched at the end of March 2023 the state-of-the-art buses, which are based out of a new charging depot in #Carmarthen, carried more than 100,000 passengers in the first six months of service. Each vehicle saves 3kg of #CO2 per round trip, equating to – and this a comparison we’ve not seen before – nearly 13,000 cups of tea. The buses were supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach and offer a number of modern features including reading lights, tables, cordless charging and USB sockets, arms rests, information screens and an air purification system. Significantly, they are able to be recharged in less than 1.5 hours. The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates said: ‘This is great news for bus users and the environment. The introduction of these #greener, modern, more comfortable buses has clearly encouraged more people to use the Traws Cymru T1 service and I’m grateful to everyone involved in making this happen.’ Mark Jacobs, Contracts and Performance Manager for TrawsCymru said: ‘Launching the all-electric TrawsCymru T1 service last year was a significant moment in the story of TfW and our development into a truly multi-modal organisation. ‘Feedback on the new service has been overwhelmingly positive and the increase in passenger numbers demonstrates how an improved public transport offering can positively influence people’s travel behaviours. ‘The success of the new T1 fleet is the result of an effective partnership with the teams at #Carmarthenshire County Council and First Cymru, who have provided invaluable support to making this vital Carmarthen to Aberystwyth bus service the high-end public transport offering that it is today.’

COMMENT | Buses need more attention to detail. Norman Baker on why improving bus services requires more than a fare cap or a change of ownership - it’s all also about shelters, timetables and ticketing https://lnkd.in/epA4rTiF

When you take a step, back the perception held by many is one of buses being ‘simple’. It’s far from it. There are so many hidden complexities and interdependencies. A lot of effort has to be expended to get the basics right, every time. Getting the basics right more often than not builds confidence for users. Confidence builds trust and that helps to make using a bus reliable and a safe choice - more than a means to an end that those who don’t use buses often think. So much is also outside of operators direct control and, for some, the key factors that affects their ability to the basics is sometimes things that takes a huge amount do their time and effort to marginally influence. As well attention to details by operator’s, government, LA’s etc they also need to keep insight the common goal. Remember the social and economic enable bus networks are - and really are. Not opinion, but evidenced fact. Time must be spent on getting buses moving quicker, consistent journey times, allowing them to have priority access. Think of them as critical infrastructure. Drop the stigma in governmental circles and think tram, do bus! I.e do the big and bold infrastructure thinking, but use a mode that needs minimal, if any, rev eu support. Is flexible and is scalable with ease. Everyone with a view should take that step back and think… Happy Thursday 🚌

The Hamburg-Berlin #railway line, a vital link connecting Germany’s two major cities will undergo a significant #renovation starting on Friday, August 16, 2024. This marks the beginning of the first phase of upgrades aimed at enhancing the lines reliability, though it won’t result in faster #travel times. Here’s what passengers should be aware of regarding the disruptions and adjustments. The railway line will be shut down from Friday, August 16, 2024 until Saturday, December 14 2024 when the new schedule comes into effect. This extended closure will greatly impact both long distance and regional travel for four months. The renovation efforts involve replacing, over 74 kilometers of #tracks and upgrading 100 switches between Wittenberge and Ludwigslust as well as sections between Hamburg, Büchen, and around Hagenow Land. Throughout the closure period long distance #trains will take a detour westward through Stendal, Salzwedel, Uelzen and Lüneburg with stops in these towns along the way. This alternative route will add 45 minutes to travel times. Due to parts of the detour being partly single-track, only one long-distance train per hour will run instead of the usual two. Commuters traveling between #Hamburg and Wittenberge can utilize a replacement bus service that also serves Ludwigslust. These updates have already been included in the schedules. Commencing on Friday August 16, 2024, construction activities will also be carried out between Hamburg and Schwerin until Sunday, September 29 2024. During this time frame there will be no ICE trains operating on this route. Replacement buses will offer a link and one Intercity train per day will travel via Lübeck.

Urgent Kent Crossing Closure! Starting tonight at 10pm, the Kingsferry Bridge in Kent will close for essential repairs, reopening at 5am on Sunday, November 3. Network Rail is replacing the 40 steel ropes which lift the bridge for shipping. Although initially scheduled for 2026, scans showed the ropes had degraded to a point where immediate action is necessary. If these repairs aren't completed before winter, there's a risk the ropes could fail, resulting in a much longer closure. This critical infrastructure connects the Isle of Sheppey with the mainland, so the impact will be significant. Commuters on Sheppey and in Sittingbourne are advised to use the parallel Sheppey Crossing and plan their journeys accordingly. Motorists should expect delays, plan ahead, and drive at quieter times. Buses will replace trains for the week, so consider this if you're using public transport. Network Rail and the local council are working together to ease congestion during the repairs. They've agreed to remove traffic management from the northbound A249 temporarily. Free vehicle recovery services and shuttle buses for rail passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and 50cc mopeds will be available. Non-emergency roadworks in the area will also be paused to help ease traffic flow. How will this closure affect your daily commute? Have you experienced similar disruptions before? Share your thoughts in the comments. For more information about travel updates and other services, visit rikama-education.com. #KentTravel #CommuterLife #LocalNews

How can we get the best out of active transport? This is a terrific report in its scope and content. Well done to Austroads, Dr. Elliot Fishman and coauthors, and everyone involved. I’m particularly pleased to see behaviour programs thoroughly described and justified. Infrastructure alone can only ever be a partial solution. It’s great to see a holistic and comprehensive approach. While it doesn’t actually refer to “systems thinking” it definitely demonstrates many of its attributes. The best outcomes will be achieved by a combination of integrated high value programs. I’d make three comments: 1. The note for the hatched area on Figure 7.4 is unnecessary and distracting. Even if a “Combination of high volumes and low speeds are very rare”, such locations still need to be managed. After spending 6 weeks in inner Melbourne, I’ve found many such locations. This figure also raises the issue about what is meant by speed - speed limit, travel speed, 85%, maximum, or something else? 2. The report touches on processes but only barely. A fundamental flaw in providing for, promoting and maximising active transport is the substandard transport planning processes and project planning. For instance, the Metronet projects in Perth had behaviour change programs to maximise active transport and patronage in the cost-benefit justification. But the programs were deleted because they were ‘operational’ not projects costs. Active transport projects and programs need to be normalised in transport planning. 3. People are important. Professionals and others involved need to be capable (skilled, knowledgeable, experienced), be motivated and have good attitudes. This report provides a very good basis for the ‘knowledge’ part. Unfortunately, I’ve had far too many conversations with people involved in transport decisions who are ignorant, skeptical and blatantly antagonistic on the basis of personal opinion. So professional development is essential, in transport and beyond. Craig Wooldridge Michelle Prior Helen Ginbey

Railbiking? Apparently, it's not just for railroad maintenance workers anymore. An old means of transport provides a new way to see America. Read sophisticated material to help prepare for the exams! #SmithsonianSunday #ReadingIsFundamental #TestPrep https://lnkd.in/edWwn8nP

Stations and trains are all about destinations and decisions. It is figuring out where you’re going to go and actualizing the process to get tickets and get your ass on the rail car. It’s pretty simple, but it takes planning. It takes patience to know that not everything will happen the way and when you want. Understanding that diversions will happen, conductors will inspect your ticket, and arrival times may change. It brings all of you to participate. Read More: https://lnkd.in/eT63RsYf