In other parts of the world like Canada, New Zealand or the U.S.A., it is common to find bicycle racks attached to the fronts of service buses, but this is less common around Europe. As such, it works best with folding bicycles from the likes of Brompton and Dahon unless you encounter a specially outfitted service vehicle in common use on a particular route. Unlike North America or down under, that especially applies to Britain and Ireland, so I created a repository on the carriage of bikes on buses by operator to compile information for cyclists from different sources since the content tends to be well scattered on individual websites. There always will be something to add, yet I hope that the compilation will have its uses.
Aircoach
Can convey bicycles so long as space is available (€15 or £15 charge applies).
Arriva
Generally unable to accept bikes on a bus. However, if your bike folds up so that it will fit within the luggage holder on a bus, and you can lift it in and out on your own, it can be brought on board at the driver’s discretion.
Borders Buses
Permit cycles on board some services.
Brighton & Hove Buses
Bikes are not permitted on board. Folding bikes can be carried provided they can safely be stowed in the luggage area. Bicycles are permitted on routes 78 and 79 subject to space being available.
Bus Éireann
Folding bicycles that are packed and wrapped in a suitable carrier bag/protective covering will be treated as passengers’ accompanied luggage and carried free of charge in the luggage storage area on Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes. Folding bicycles that are NOT packed or wrapped as described above may be charged. Non-folding bicycles will be carried only if sufficient accommodation is available; they must be placed in the luggage compartment or other designated area of the vehicle. On Expressway services, a €5 charge applies for bicycles.
Dublin Bus
Only fold-up bicycles are permitted on board. Fold-up bicycles must be carried by the customer or stored in the luggage area.
Ember
Operates a service from Dundee to Edinburgh using electric buses fitted with two bike spaces which can be booked for free.
First
Folding bicycles are welcome on board buses so long as they are stowed safely and do not block the aisles or access to seats. There are instances when this may not be possible, for example if there is insufficient space on the bus or when a folding bicycle could make the inside of the bus or its seats dirty or could cause discomfort to other customers. Due to space and safety considerations, standard non-folding bicycles cannot be carried.
FlixBus
Most FlixBus services are bike-friendly, with carriers or special covers to keep your bike safe along the trip. Availability varies by route and country. When booking, you can add your bike to see available trips with bike carriers or covers. If you have a folding bike, you can bring it on buses not equipped for regular bikes by adding it as special luggage in the extras section at checkout.
High Peak
Folding bikes are carried on all services with enclosure in carry cases (or bike bags) being favoured. Non-folding bikes cannot be carried.
Irish Citylink
Happy to carry bicycles in the luggage compartment of coaches if there is room available and there is a €10 charge per journey payable to the driver. Unfortunately, it is not possible to prebook bicycles.
JJ Kavanagh
Carries bicycles for free, subject to space.
Lothian Buses
Folding bicycles that are folded and fully enclosed in a suitable carrying bag.
Matthews Coach Travel
Carries bicycles for free, subject to space.
McGill’s Buses
Does not have any facilities to carry or store standard pedal bicycles on buses. Folding bikes that can be stored in the luggage area are carried free of charge. Folding bicycles must be folded and fully enclosed in a suitable carrying bag.
Midland Bluebird
Does not have any facilities to carry or store standard pedal bicycles on buses. Folding bikes that can be stored in the luggage area are carried free of charge. Folding bicycles must be folded and fully enclosed in a suitable carrying bag.
National Express & Eurolines
You may take your bicycle on a journey, as long as it is designed to fold in half using a special link in the frame and is carried in an appropriate padded bag or hard case, suitable for the purpose. On Eurolines services folding bikes are permitted on journeys between London and Amsterdam, Paris and Ireland. Again, they must be appropriately packed in an appropriate padded bag or hard case, suitable for the purpose. Bicycles that are not correctly packed will be refused carriage; for luggage allowance purposes bikes will be considered as being equal to one suitcase.
Plymouth Citybus
Bikes are not permitted on board. Folding bikes can be carried provided they can safely be stowed in the luggage area.
Scottish Citylink
Subject to availability of accommodation, bicycles in a box/bag will be carried.
Stagecoach
Non-folding bicycles are only carried on a very limited number of buses specifically modified for the purpose. Generally, bicycles may be carried at the owner’s risk on coaches, as opposed to buses, where luggage boots are available. Safety notices governing their carriage are posted on the relevant vehicles with further information available from the local Stagecoach operating company. Folding bicycles, safely and securely stowed in the designated luggage area in a suitable bag or box, may be carried on all vehicles.
TM Travel
Folding bicycles are welcome on bus services.
Transport for London (TfL) buses
Folding bikes may be taken onto buses at any time, providing that there is room to accommodate them within the designated luggage area and as long as it does not block the gangway.
The transport community encompasses a remarkable diversity of voices, from daily users documenting their journeys to industry professionals shaping policy, retired operators preserving historical records to advocacy groups championing sustainable infrastructure. What follows represents that spectrum, drawing together established trade publications, independent regional blogs, official watchdog bodies and enthusiast-run archives from across Britain and beyond. The mix reflects not only different perspectives but different purposes, whether tracking fleet changes in Plymouth, analysing rail policy through historical precedent, advocating for liveable cities in America or representing passenger interests through formal research.
The website traces the American rail industry’s trajectory from its peak in the early 20th century, when railways dominated American transportation, through the regulatory pressures and financial failures of the 1970s, to the partial recovery following deregulation in 1980. Building on this historical framework, the site provides detailed coverage of the physical railway infrastructure, including notable passenger trains, discontinued routes, remaining stations and the various types of railways that operated across the country. Beyond documenting what once existed, the site also provides practical information for those interested in experiencing railway history today, listing tourist railroads and museums organised by state, alongside background on employment within the modern rail industry.
This independent enthusiast-run website was established in late 2002 to serve as a comprehensive resource for news, photographs and information about tram and light rail systems across Britain. Nowadays, it includes sections covering news archives, fleet lists for various systems including Blackpool and Manchester, photographic galleries, event listings and historical features.
What you have here comes mainly from Roger French who retired from the bus industry in 2013 and now travels extensively across the UK by public transport, documenting his experiences through his blog. Here, he aims to inspire others to explore the country by public transport whilst providing feedback to transport operators.
Christian Wolmar is a British transport writer and journalist who has built a career specialising in railway policy and infrastructure. Currently active as a blogger, regular columnist for RAIL magazine and podcast host interviewing industry figures, he focuses on issues including HS2 problems, Great British Railways progress, declining through rail services and South Wales Metro. His core arguments draw on historical precedent to critique contemporary transport policy, particularly criticising post-privatisation fragmentation for undermining efficiency whilst advocating public ownership, integrated planning and sustained investment over flagship schemes.
Founded in 1978 and published weekly by Coach and Bus Week Ltd from Peterborough, this long-established British trade magazine and online news service provides in-depth coverage of the passenger transport industry with particular focus on bus, coach and minibus sectors. The publication serves industry professionals, local transport authorities and policymakers through detailed reporting on operations, vehicles, regulations and business trends. Regular content includes news on operator contracts and service changes, operator profiles and management interviews, fleet updates covering new vehicles and zero-emission rollouts, industry analysis on procurement and passenger trends, vehicle road tests and technical features, regional focus articles and event reports from major industry shows.
The associated website provides breaking news throughout the week alongside digital editions for subscribers, with recent coverage examining Bee Network developments in Greater Manchester, Go-Ahead and Stagecoach fleet modernisation, government ZEBRA 2 funding for zero-emission buses and profiles of independent operators expanding rural services. Regarded as one of the two principal trade titles for the UK bus and coach sector, it is widely read by commercial operators and local authority professionals and serves as a standard reference for transport historians and enthusiasts.
Founded in 1984 and based in Manchester, this national charity and membership organisation supports not-for-profit operators delivering inclusive local transport services throughout the United Kingdom, particularly for people unable to use conventional public transport due to geography, age, disability or social disadvantage. The organisation champions voluntary car schemes, dial-a-ride services, community buses and demand-responsive minibus operations by providing practical guidance on permits, driver training, insurance and regulatory compliance, whilst also campaigning for recognition of the sector’s social value and conducting research into rural mobility and social inclusion.
Recent work has focused on zero-emission minibus trials, the Rural Mobility Fund, permit regulation consultations and health care accessibility, with continued delivery of the revised MiDAS driver accreditation scheme. The organisation maintains close relationships with local authorities, devolved governments and the Department for Transport to shape funding, regulation and safety standards, and hosts regular webinars, conferences and annual awards ceremonies. Representing the voluntary and social enterprise side of passenger transport rather than commercial operations, it occupies a distinct position in the sector with particular emphasis on inclusion, rural connectivity and local empowerment, remaining active with regularly updated news and case studies.
This regional digital news outlet was established in 2017 by Reach plc to consolidate the online output of several Devon newspapers. The operation maintains a dedicated section for travel and traffic that provides daily updates on road closures, collisions and weather-related disruption alongside information about bus service changes, rail developments and infrastructure works across the county. Coverage draws on reports from National Highways, local police forces, bus and rail operators, often presented through rolling live blog pages that track incidents as they unfold.
The outlet also publishes features about heritage railways such as the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Seaton Tramway, seasonal travel guides and occasional commentary on congestion and environmental measures. While the coverage is journalistic rather than enthusiast-driven, the platform offers practical and current information that is particularly useful for day-to-day travel planning and awareness of infrastructure issues affecting Devon and the surrounding South West region.
This is a personal blog, rather than a transport one. Even so, there are times when you do get mention of transport-related topics. There once was more of those than there appears to be these days. For now, it stays in the list, but others could take its place yet.
Founded in 2006 by transport planner Jim Steer, this London-based not-for-profit research and policy organisation champions strategic investment in rail infrastructure to support sustainable economic growth and decarbonisation. Originally established to build the evidence base for high-speed rail in Britain, it has since expanded its focus to encompass the wider rail system, advocating for a coherent national rail strategy that links high-speed, regional and local services whilst promoting modal shift from road and air to electrified rail.
The organisation publishes detailed policy papers, feasibility studies and briefing notes that examine route corridors, economic and environmental impacts, and integration between rail and urban transport, with recent work addressing the implications of HS2’s partial cancellation and proposing alternative regional rail corridors. Well regarded in professional transport-planning circles, it is frequently cited by government departments, devolved administrations and think tanks, maintaining an active and regularly updated presence with evidence-based commentary on rail decarbonisation, connectivity and long-term infrastructure planning.
This active regional blog documents and analyses bus service developments across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, focussing primarily on service changes, route updates and operator performance across the Solent and wider Hampshire area, whilst also covering Bus Service Improvement Plan funding outcomes, local authority and Department for Transport policy, fare changes, university term-time timetables and new Park and Ride services. Thus, it offers coverage of Hampshire and adjoining counties.
This independent regional blog has been documenting public transport developments across the Humber region of England since 2008, covering Hull, East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire with detailed reporting on bus and rail service changes. The blog reports timetable and route modifications across various operators, whilst providing historical context, operational analysis and commentary on funding sources such as Bus Service Improvement Plan allocations. It tracks tendered services and local authority involvement by referencing council meeting minutes and public notices, documents heritage and cross-regional connections including coastal services and cross-Humber routes, and publishes summary timetables that serve as accessible local references.
Founded in 2009, this long-running independent publication has established itself as one of the most authoritative voices on London’s transport infrastructure, combining technical analysis with accessible long-form journalism. A small editorial team using pen-names produces in-depth coverage of the Underground, Crossrail, Thameslink, TfL governance and broader urban mobility topics, often examining why network decisions occur rather than simply reporting what has happened. Several feature articles are published monthly alongside regular link round-ups and continues hosting public gatherings in central London.
Established in 2005 and maintained continuously by Graham Richardson, this independent blog has become one of the United Kingdom’s most enduring regional transport resources, focusing on bus operations across Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall and neighbouring parts of Dorset and Somerset. The website combines news reporting with detailed photographic records and archival content, covering fleet developments, service registrations, timetable changes and heritage preservation across the South West. Recent posts demonstrate the typical mix of content, including coverage of new vehicle introductions and driver training at Plymouth Citybus, detailed extracts from Traffic Commissioner records showing route descriptions and operator licences for companies such as Stagecoach Devon and Greenslades, timetable summaries for school and college services, and labelled photography features continuing a long tradition of vehicle documentation.
Published daily since 2009 by a retired transport professional, this long-running British transport blog has become one of the most prolific and consistent voices in the UK’s online transport community. The blog blends detailed critique of public transport information systems with nostalgia, humour and historical analysis, frequently examining how poorly journey planners, timetables and bus stop displays communicate information to passengers. Each post typically combines several elements, including investigations into specific transport networks, historical features on classic British bus operators and railway stations from the 1950’s to 1980’s, international transport travelogues and regular digressions into model railway construction. The tone is conversational and opinionated yet grounded in meticulous research, with the author checking real timetables and map data to expose inconsistencies in operator materials and local authority systems. Running themes include passenger information standards, transport history and policy.
Founded in 1963 as a British Rail internal publication and privatised in 1996, this independent monthly newspaper and continuously updated online news service has become a long-running specialist publication serving the UK rail industry. Operating from Derby, it provides measured, business-focused coverage that sits between mainstream media and technical journals, targeting industry managers, train operating company staff, policymakers, trade unions and informed enthusiasts. Editorial content centres on rail reform, franchising, company performance, industrial relations, infrastructure investment, public policy and safety matters, presented through factual reporting that draws on official statements and parliamentary proceedings rather than sensational presentation.
The publication maintains freely available online news alongside a subscription print edition that features fuller analysis, opinion columns and employment notices, while editor Sim Harris, a former BBC journalist and British Rail communications officer, has steered its reputation for accuracy and neutrality since the early 2000’s. Widely regarded as the post-privatisation rail community’s industry standard and more immediately readable than deeply technical journals, it enjoys professional credibility and is frequently referenced by mainstream outlets covering franchise developments and industrial disputes.
Created and maintained by retired enthusiast and local historian Ron Hughes, this personal yet thoroughly detailed regional transport history resource focuses on bus and coach operators in North-East Wales, covering Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham as well as adjacent parts of Cheshire and Shropshire. The site divides into three main sections: current operators with background information and fleet lists, ceased operators documenting defunct firms with historical profiles and livery details, and a comprehensive record of GHA Coaches, which operated from 1988 to 2016 as the largest independent operator in the area before its collapse.
The site works alongside the companion Crosville.org, also maintained by Hughes, which covers Crosville Motor Services and Crosville Wales with fleet lists from 1921 onwards, route numbering explanations and company history, together forming a remarkably complete record of bus operations in North and Mid Wales of major historical value to researchers, preservationists and enthusiasts.
Launched in 2006 as part of a network initially founded in New York, this daily online news platform provides free coverage of walking, cycling, public transit, micromobility and efforts to reduce car dependence across the United States. The publication operates a national platform alongside regional branches covering major cities and maintains editorial independence through donation support. Content spans pedestrian safety, cycling infrastructure, public transport systems, car culture critique, federal policy, urban planning and mobility justice, with daily updates keeping pace with evolving transport policy, infrastructure developments and grassroots activism.
Whilst the editorial stance deliberately frames transport through the lens of liveable cities and mobility justice rather than purely technical engineering perspectives, the absence of a paywall makes it valuable for research, planning and community advocacy. The publication offers a strong American counterpart for those tracking transport journalism internationally, though its focus on United States policy and regulations means readers seeking British or European perspectives will need to supplement with local sources.
Established in 2005 and operating as an independent non-departmental public body under the Department for Transport, this official watchdog represents the interests of rail passengers across England, Scotland and Wales, bus and coach travellers in England outside London, and users of England’s strategic road network including motorways and major A-roads managed by National Highways. The organisation conducts extensive research through surveys such as the National Rail Passenger Survey and Bus Passenger Survey, publishing reports and performance dashboards that examine satisfaction levels, punctuality, fares and communication issues. Its work involves collaborating with transport operators and government bodies on service recovery following disruptions, contributing to policy consultations on infrastructure projects and providing the passenger perspective during major reforms including rail restructuring and bus franchising schemes.
Current priorities include monitoring service recovery at Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express, evaluating rail fare simplification pilots, researching passenger trust following cancellations and industrial action, and supporting bus reform initiatives in city regions such as Greater Manchester’s Bee Network. The organisation’s reports and findings are regularly cited by the Department for Transport, the Office of Rail and Road, industry bodies and media outlets, establishing it as both a research authority and policy influencer within the transport sector.
This UK-based online trade media platform operated by Landor LINKS Ltd provides news, opinion and analysis covering transport policy and planning, passenger transport, urban development, parking and infrastructure. The platform maintains active coverage across multiple areas including highways, cycling and walking, data and modelling, energy and technology, and business and finance.
As a professional industry resource rather than an enthusiast blog, the platform offers a more formal perspective on UK transport matters, though much of its detailed content requires a subscription to access beyond an initial trial period. The platform serves as a complementary resource to more casual transport blogs by providing industry-level insight and professional commentary on current developments in the UK transport sector.
Established in 2016 as a rebranding of the Passenger Transport Executive Group from the 1970s, this Leeds-based organisation represents the strategic transport authorities of Britain’s largest city regions including Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Merseyside, Tyne and Wear, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West of England, alongside associate members such as Transport for London, Translink in Belfast and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The group serves as a collective voice on urban and regional transport planning, funding and policy matters, focusing on public transport funding, decarbonisation, integrated ticketing, bus reform, rail devolution, active travel and social inclusion.
Recent work has examined the Greater Manchester Bee Network model, post-pandemic funding structures for urban public transport, net-zero transport strategies and collaboration with the Department for Transport on devolving rail operations to city regions. The organisation maintains a publications library and regularly updated blog featuring policy briefings, research papers, statistics and consultation responses that inform government departments, local authorities and professional bodies, offering policy-focused commentary that has made it a reliable resource for those following urban transport developments.
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The Explorer 55 ticket offers unlimited rail travel for one day within Northern’s Central and West regions at a cost of £19.20, targeting passengers over 55 and allowing flexible travel between key destinations in the North. A separate Northern Explorer pass provides similar on-demand travel across Northern’s network, valid for one to four consecutive days, with activation required before travel and a non-refundable policy once activated. Both options restrict use to Northern-operated services, exclude other train operators and require digital presentation of the pass on a mobile device alongside photo ID. Refunds for unused passes are possible under specific conditions, while children under five travel free and those aged five to 15 pay half the adult fare. Tickets are available through Northern’s website and select ticket offices but not via the app, with purchase windows extending up to 11 months in advance.
12:17, August 19th, 2026
Recently, Campaign for Better Transport highlighted some entries to it blog, and they examine how better public transport can support regional regeneration, reduce car dependence and address climate and congestion challenges. First up is the proposed reopening of the 12-mile Skipton–Colne railway, arguing that its largely intact route could improve access to jobs, education, tourism and housing across East Lancashire and Yorkshire, with political and regional cooperation needed to advance the project. Another explains that transport policies increasingly reflect political and cultural identities, making public participation and co-designed solutions important for balancing effectiveness with public acceptance. Germany’s €63 Deutschlandticket demonstrates that simple, affordable fares can increase public transport use and reduce commuting costs, but its effects are gradual and strongest where services are already reliable and well-connected. Overall, pricing reforms, infrastructure investment and locally informed policymaking must work together to produce lasting changes in travel behaviour.
