The chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that 15.6 billion is to be invested in public transport for urban areas outside London over the next five years. She has also indicated that more rail investment is set to be announced next week.

Plans to improve public transport in city regions outside London with a five-year budget of 15.6 billion pounds are expected to be announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves during a speech in Manchester today.

The Office of Rail and Road says improvements are needed to revenue protection, making it more consistent, fairer and effective. A detailed review commissioned by the government has revealed the flaws in the current system, which the ORR says is not working in the interests of passengers, operators or taxpayers.

Alstom has signed a contract worth 50 million with FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail to refurbish and maintain five 6-car Class 222 Meridian trains which will be used next year on FirstGroup’s new open access service between London Euston and Stirling.

An Oxfordshire MP is presenting a petition to Parliament today which opposes the closure of a level crossing in Bicester. At the moment the trains using the crossing are those between Oxford and London Marylebone, but the number of trains will increase significantly later this year when East West Rail trains from Oxford start running to Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central.

FirstGroup is to lease five Class 222 Meridian diesel units cascaded from East Midlands Railway for its open access service between Stirling and London.

Reopened Levenmouth line carried 300,000 in first year

Charity sets out rail reforms as open access debate intensifies

Derby engineers move to Alstom Litchurch Lane in jobs boost

HS2 probes claims of inflated staff charges

A new beginning, as South Western Railway is renationalised

Prime Minister praises ‘potential’ of open access