Manchester Piccadilly Station Gets Its 15th and 16th Platforms At Last!

New plan solves through platform nightmare in considerably less time than anticipated

After years of limbo and rejection, Manchester Piccadilly will be getting its 15th and 16th platforms earlier than you think. By the time HS2 opens, it will be getting another two platforms taking it up to 18.

Stalybridge Bus Station: A 2030 Vision

The shape of things to come with an all-singing and all-dancing bus/train/tram interchange

It has been a while since you could transfer from three modes of transport in Stalybridge town centre. 90 years ago to be precise. If you count trolleybuses as a third mode, that was 61 years ago.

Linking Saddleworth with Tameside: Focus on Nexus Move

East of the M60 looks at Tameside’s latest bus operator

The Tameside bus scene is in the midst of far-reaching change. With the exception of three routes, FirstGroup are pulling out of the borough. Stagecoach and HCT Group’s MCT Travel will be the borough’s biggest players, followed by Stott’s Tours. The smallest operator of stage carriage vehicles is Nexus Move, who operate two routes in the borough, and a shuttle service from Greenfield railway station.

Moovit Uber Allies: Private Hire Service Integrated Into App

Moovit users in 22 countries and 131 cities set to benefit from new addition to app

In the last year, one private hire company more than anything has never been out of the press. Whether for good or bad reasons, Uber has been uttered on many a taxi or minicab themed discussion. In the last six months, Greater Manchester has seen its Uber footprint extend eastwards, towards most of the Tameside area. For many, it is a cheaper alternative to established minicab and Hackney Carriage operators.

Britain’s Average Commute: 98 Minutes

Cost of commuting tops passengers’ complaints

“Manchester Piccadilly railway station from the footbridge” by Richard Kelly from Manchester, England – Flickr. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons.

In a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of transport app developers Moovit, the average Briton spends 98 minutes a day travelling to and from work (or 49 minutes each way). Of great concern to those surveyed was the price of public transport fares and antisocial behaviour.

The Autie Friendly Guide to Booking Taxis

From booking to boarding and tipping drivers

A useful primer on the joys of using minicabs and taxis for people with Autism Spectrum Conditions

If you’re the proud owner of a concessionary pass of some description, there’s every chance you’ll find it useful for accessing local services or your nearest shop. As part of any holiday or day trip, a boon for meeting people or seeing new attractions.

Sadly the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (and its equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) does have some limitations. Firstly it cannot guarantee the prompt running of any bus service. Secondly, some pass holders may be in a bus dessert; for example rural areas without a service at all, or urban areas cut off at night time.

In some cases this leaves you with two options. Either a lift to and from your destination from a relative or carer. Or a taxi. This piece concentrates on the latter example.