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Out now: the latest issue of Passenger Transport. What's inside the latest issue. 17 july 2026 | news, views and analysis for a sector on the Move. LEAD STORY McGill's files claim over ScotZEB3 awards Bus group says there are 'serious questions' to answer and launches multi-million pound claim against Scottish Government and Transport Scotland * McGill's Buses has launched a legal challenge against the Scottish Government after its £4.3 million bid for zero-emission bus funding was rejected. * The operator claims the ScotZEB3 funding process breached subsidy rules, lacked transparency, and unfairly favoured competing services over replacing existing diesel buses. * McGill's is seeking to overturn the funding decision, review how bids were scored, and force changes to the allocation of future zero-emission bus subsidies. * The dispute comes after Alexander Dennis missed out on expected orders, with the manufacturer later announcing plans to close its Falkirk factory following the ScotZEB3 funding awards. Merseyrail looks set for public ownership Move will see 25-year long concession agreement with Serco and Transport UK brought to a close in favour of in-house operating model Review finds error in franchising assessment Assessment uncovers £100m blackhole in funding for staff DfT consults on fully digital bus registrations Scheme replaces paper to reduce costs and burden on operators ORR calls for action on Network Rail renewals Network Rail ahead on efficiency but concerns over infrastructure Rail open data 'could unlock an extra £500m New paper from Independent Rail Retailers urges reform RRS complexity fuels fears over franchising Procurement for Rail Replacement Services sparks concerns Wrightbus launches operations in Australia Northern Ireland-based bus builder is showcasing three vehicles for the 'hugely important' Australian market, with a commitment to collaboration Go-Ahead wins big at leadership awards Rail minister Lord Hendy praised the winners and finalists at the inaugural Leadership in Passenger Transport Awards, which took place this week INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY 30,000 DPAYG trips made in Northern trial Digital pay-as-you-go technology has received promising feedback from customers and trial has been hailed as 'important step' by rail minister Go-Ahead London joins up with Intermoda Partnership will advance data-driven management Jonathan Bray: Wartime Lviv keeps the wheels turning Ordinary people are doing superhuman things in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, and war is reorientating planning and transport policy Alex Warner: GBR - one brand doesn't fit all Franchising is one of the three main types of bus operation in Germany, accounting for 40% of all bus kilometres nationwide Anne-Marie Purcell: The second wave is about harmonisation The challenge for the next phase of bus reform isn't only about successful local systems. It is ensuring that systems work together Nick Richardson: When politicians jump to conclusions Once again Passenger Transport see well-meaning but poorly informed politicians anticipating solutions without understanding the problems Taking EPs to the next level Andy Gibbons and Paul Walker explain how Leicester and Portsmouth are moving to 'EP Max' Great Minster Grumbles: Passenger Transport is not exactly rushing this, are Passenger Transport? Its Whitehall insider imagines what's going on inside the minds of the mandarins at Great Minster House, home of the DfT SPECIAL REPORT The politics of better transport Policy leaders and industry professionals recently debated how politics can both derail, and help, to build better transport systems Women in Bus and Coach awards return New 'Better Together Award' has been included for 2026 Apprentice scheme lauded Network Rail climbs to fourth in England's apprenticeship employer ranking scheme

Alexander Dennis expands UK orders with new deliveries to operators. Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis has announced a series of fleet developments across the UK, including the delivery of a new double-decker to Roberts Travel Group and fresh vehicle orders from operators Lothian Buses and Compass Travel. The latest delivery to Roberts Travel Group, an independent operator based in England, is a high-specification Enviro400 double-decker designed to help the company meet full Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) requirements. The vehicle is equipped with real-time passenger information systems, three Mobitec scrolling display screens and an Ardent ClearConnect induction loop to support passengers with hearing impairments. Measuring 11.5 metres in length, the bus features 85 Lazzerini Pratico seats, all fitted with three-point seatbelts. It is finished in Roberts Travel's charcoal-and-silver livery and includes alloy wheels as part of its exterior design. The addition brings the operator's fleet of Enviro400 vehicles to four, with the previous three acquired since 2017. Like its predecessors, the new bus is expected to be deployed across a range of services, including private hire, rail replacement and school transport. In a separate development, Lothian Buses has placed a major order for 60 new double-deck vehicles. The buses will be built on Volvo's B8L chassis and bodied with Alexander Dennis's Enviro400XLB design. These tri-axle vehicles will measure 12.8 metres in length, making them around 1.3 metres longer than most of Lothian's existing two-axle double-deck fleet. The order reflects the operator's aim to increase passenger capacity while maintaining low-emission performance, particularly on high-demand routes. Meanwhile, Alexander Dennis has also secured an agreement with Sussex-based Compass Travel (Sussex) Ltd to supply 14 new buses. The order includes 13 Enviro200 single-deck vehicles and one Enviro400 double-decker, and was finalised at the recent annual conference of the Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM). All vehicles for Compass Travel are scheduled for delivery before the end of 2026. They will join a fleet already dominated by Alexander Dennis models, which make up around 90% of its vehicles. The Enviro200, in particular, continues to form the backbone of Compass Travel's operations, with the latest additions expected to further strengthen its role in the fleet. The announcements highlight continued investment by UK operators in modernising fleets, improving accessibility, and expanding capacity to meet operational and regulatory demands.

Lothian Buses invests in capacity with order for 60 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400XLB tri-axles on Volvo B8L chassis. 1 Jun 2026 Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., today announced that it is working with Volvo Buses to build 60 new tri-axle double-deckers for award-winning Scottish bus operator Lothian Buses. The operator has placed a firm order with Volvo Buses for 60 new low-emission double-deck buses based on the efficient B8L chassis, which Alexander Dennis will body with its Enviro400XLB design. Lothian's new buses will have three axles and a length of 12.8m, around 1.3m longer than most of the operator's two-axle double-deckers. The extra length will be used to offer inclusive and accessible spaces for passengers on the lower deck, including two wheelchair and buggy spaces alongside priority seating. Passengers will board and alight at the front of the bus, allowing a high seating capacity to be maintained. The majority of the new Enviro400XLB will be used to meet rising demand in the East Coast Buses and Lothian Country operations, which connect East and West Lothian to the Scottish capital. The Airlink 100 service between Edinburgh airport and the city centre will also benefit from the fleet investment. Dylan Dastey, Engineering Director at Lothian Buses, said: "Lothian is delighted to once again be working in partnership with Volvo and Alexander Dennis, building on its long-standing relationships to deliver new double-deck vehicles for its capital city. "Since launching its Driving Towards Net Zero decarbonisation strategy in 2023, Alexander Dennis Limited has remained firmly focused on achieving its long-term sustainability ambitions. At the same time, Alexander Dennis Limited continue to invest in renewing and modernising its fleet to ensure Alexander Dennis Limited provide safe, reliable and high-quality services for its customers, both now and in the years ahead. "This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible customer experience, while supporting our wider ambition to fully decarbonise the fleet over the coming years." Paul Davies, President & Managing Director at Alexander Dennis, said: "Alexander Dennis Limited is delighted to be part of this Lothian Buses-led collaboration which will deliver a new fleet of double-deckers for the Scottish capital and neighbouring areas. "We welcome Lothian's support for British design, engineering and manufacturing and the impact that this project will have on jobs and supply chain." "Alexander Dennis Limited is also delighted to be continuing its long-standing relationship with Volvo. Their B8L chassis offers a platform on which Alexander Dennis Limited has been able to design a version of its Enviro400XLB body that will allow Lothian to offer additional space to passengers, benefitting customers with accessibility needs and making bus travel more inclusive for everyone. "We're looking forward to partnering with Volvo to expand our range across the UK market and working closely with them on future opportunities." Domenico Bondi, Managing Director Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, said: "We are building on the cooperation that we have had back in 2018 which has been a successful project. We have a flexible business model working together with different bodybuilders and this is one example. The Volvo B8L is already a well-proven chassis and in service in many cities both in the UK and other countries. The new double deck will help to reduce road congestion and with it further improve air quality in Scotland's capital city." The collaboration between Lothian Buses, Volvo and Alexander Dennis builds on successful earlier work between the three companies, under which 78 Alexander Dennis Enviro400XLB on Volvo B8L chassis - built to a different specification - were supplied to Lothian Buses in 2018 and 2019. Lothian Buses also plans to order 40 zero-emission double-deckers from the two manufacturers, with Alexander Dennis placing its next-generation Enviro400EV body on the Volvo BZL electric chassis. Procurement of these vehicles is subject to confirmation of grant funding allocation to Lothian Buses from the Scottish Government's third-round Scottish Zero-Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3). Forward-looking statements. This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of NFI that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including market and general economic conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services; customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses; the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for convenience; production may be delayed or production rates may be decreased as a result of ongoing and future supply chain disruptions and shortages of parts and components, shipping and freight delays, and disruption to and shortage of labor supply; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Due to the potential impact of these factors, NFI disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.