#transport-policy

#transport-policy

The Estrel Berlin hotel hosted in 2025 around 1,500 participants, 150 speakers, and over 100 exhibitors, with more than 20 vehicles on display across 7,500 square meters of exhibition space. The event has grown from its origins as the "VDV Electric Bus Conference and Trade Fair ElekBu" into a hub where operators, manufacturers, service providers, public authorities, policymakers, and associations exchange ideas and explore the future of mobility.

The UK's train companies are set to kick off the new year with a January sale, offering discounted fares for journeys across the UK. The participating operators in the Great British Rail Sale are: All the DfT-regulated train companies are taking part in the Great British Rail Sale, and while GWR is also part of the January sale, it is also running an additional promotion here.

On Monday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez got everyone excited about a new countrywide travel pass which will cost 60 per month and can be used anywhere' in the country and on all types' of means of transport. People under 26 will pay 30. But it hasn't taken long for the first cracks to appear. For starters, there's the fact that, as things stand, it can only be used on commuter trains, mid-distance trains and state buses.

Regardless of how people get to work or where they live, it turns out that most of us tend to spend the same amount of time commuting to work. Long suspected and at times disputed, a new review of people's commutes across 43 countries found a strong bias toward a daily commute of around 78 minutes (1.3 hours), regardless of how it occurs.

More than 50 groups connected to transport and public health have urged the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, to set specific targets for levels of walking and cycling in England, warning that plans as they stand are too vague. A letter from groups including British Cycling, Cycling UK, the National Trust and the British Medical Association says the government's proposals for active travel must move from good intentions to a clear, long-term, fully deliverable national plan comparable to other strategic transport programmes.

The Paris-Berlin/Vienna night train operated by OBB (Austrian Railways) in partnership with SNCF Voyageurs and DB (German Railways) was launched to great fanfare in December 2023, connecting the capitals of France and Germany by a 12-hour overnight rail trip. It has proved a success, with an average occupancy rate of around 70 percent, rising to 90 percent in the summer.

With just one month to go, excitement is building for the 6 th edition of the European ZEB (Zero Emission Bus) Conference - Europe's leading event dedicated to zero-emission buses, taking place 7- 9 October 2025 at @Busworld Europe Brussels. The European ZEB Conference will bring together operators and authorities, policy makers, manufacturers and experts from across the bus industry, to discuss the decarbonisation of private and public transport with a focus on technology and policy-related topics affecting zero emission buses.

PA Media Oxford Street is to go car-free for a day to demonstrate how pedestrianisation could work, if the mayor of London's plans go ahead. The street will be closed to cars from 12:00 to 20:00 BST on Sunday 21 September, from Oxford Circus to Orchard Street, the day before World Car Free Day. The road will be used for a free public event where local businesses will run themed areas involving fashion, sport, music, food and heritage.

More than 38,000 drivers have remained on a learner permit for over 11 years, raising concerns about road safety and driving competency.

The Conservative Party branded the move a kick in the teeth to drivers, criticizing Labour's approach to heavy-handed policies against car owners, especially in London.

The report highlights that inconsistent treatment for ticketing issues leaves passengers vulnerable to prosecution, even for honest mistakes, undermining trust in the railway system.

The lack of accessibility at Northern stations is hindering economic growth, making it difficult for residents to access jobs and services.

TfL's proposed congestion charge increases are designed to reduce congestion and promote greener vehicle use, offering discounts for electric vehicles to encourage cleaner options.

Local authorities in London are spending large sums of taxpayer money on taxis for staff, despite promoting anti-car initiatives and climate policies.

Heidi Alexander emphasized that current driving test waiting times are 'totally unacceptable'. The government is committed to cutting backlog wait times significantly by summer 2026.

Many motorists are unaware of parking surcharges until they pay through an app, as the levies are not routinely flagged on signs, creating confusion.