Image: Belfast Media

The Department for Infrastructure has launched a public consultation to seek feedback on the current Experimental Traffic Control Scheme which permits taxis to use some bus lanes in Belfast city centre.

The ongoing Experimental Scheme will also be extended for a further six months to enable departmental officials to monitor the effectiveness of the scheme since the reopening of Durham Street. 

A DfI spokesperson said: “As the Experimental Scheme permitting taxis to use some city centre bus lanes has been in place for a period of time, we are keen to hear views from interested parties. The public consultation now open will provide road users and key stakeholders with the opportunity to express their views and make representations for the Department to consider in our future decision-making on this issue. The Department will also continue to monitor the effectiveness of the scheme and the impact on road users.

“An online survey is available at: Taxis in bus lane Citizen Space survey and we encourage people to respond by 5pm on Wednesday 10 June 2026.”

Source: BelfastMedia

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Image: NYMTC

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) has released its 2025 Annual Report, titled Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Transportation Innovation, offering a comprehensive look at the projects, policies, and planning efforts shaping transportation across New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley. Although the report reflects 2025 activities, its recent release in 2026 provides a timely snapshot of how the region is advancing major infrastructure investments, coordinating across agencies, and preparing for long-term mobility challenges. As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, NYMTC continues to play a central role in guiding the use of billions in transportation funding and aligning regional priorities.

Matt Daus, President of the IATR, said, “Congratulations to my friend Adam Levine, Executive Director of NYMTC, and the entire team on the release of this report. It highlights the critical role regional planning plays in delivering smart, coordinated investments across our transportation system. From advancing major capital projects to supporting data-driven, community-focused decision-making, this work is essential to ensuring a more efficient, equitable, and sustainable future for mobility in the New York metropolitan region.”

A major highlight of the report is the adoption of NYMTC’s “Moving Forward 2055” Regional Transportation Plan and the 2026–2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which together program more than $39 billion across over 900 projects. These investments span transit, roadways, bridges, and active transportation, with a strong emphasis on safety, accessibility, and sustainability. By coordinating federal, state, and local funding, NYMTC ensures that projects are not only fiscally sound but also responsive to the region’s evolving transportation needs.

The report also underscores several high-profile accomplishments from the past year, including the launch of New York City’s congestion pricing program, which has already delivered measurable reductions in traffic and new revenue for transit improvements. Additional initiatives—ranging from major transit expansions like the Second Avenue Subway and Interborough Express to climate resilience investments and new technologies—highlight a continued push toward a more modern, efficient, and environmentally sustainable transportation system.

Source: New York Metropolitan Transportation Council

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Council Leaders Push DOT in Both Directions on Streets Master Plan Goals

City Council Transportation Committee Chairman Shaun Abreu on Tuesday pushed Department of Transportation officials to commit to meeting the bus and bike lane mileage requirements of the Streets Master Plan, and to ask for more money if they can't — only to be instantly undercut by Finance Chair Linda Lee, who joked that the agency should stop building bike lanes in her eastern Queens district.

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Rising Claims, Rising Stakes: Inside the Insurance Pressures Facing Motorcoach Operators

For motorcoach and ground transportation operators, the insurance market is tougher than ever — and the forces driving it show no signs of easing. Premiums remain elevated. Underwriting scrutiny is intense. And claims costs continue to rise at historic levels. Behind those numbers lies a complex mix of legal, medical, and cultural forces reshaping the commercial landscape.

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Rideshare with Rotors? Flying Taxis and Delivery Services Could Be Seen in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has long been known as an aviation hub, but the state could now help shape the future of flight — flying taxis. Oklahoma has been selected by Joby Aviation, a California-based company, as one of 10 U.S. locations to test electric air taxis, utilizing the state's aviation ecosystem and open airspace.

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All Ontario Drivers Will Be Able to Use HOV Lanes in Off-Peak Hours: Transportation Minister

Highway lanes designated for carpoolers will soon be opened up to solo drivers at certain times of the day, Ontario's transportation minister said Tuesday. The Ford government’s latest attempt to reduce gridlock — which has included an ongoing effort to remove bike lanes in downtown Toronto and a $9-million study on the feasibility of digging a subterranean highway under the 401 — will allow anyone to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during off-peak hours, Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a news release. 

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Air Canada Again Extends Dubai Suspension, Adds Extra Toronto–Delhi Flights

Air Canada has once again extended its suspension of flights to Dubai due to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East. This marks the third time the airline has extended the flights’ suspension. The most recent update saw flights to Dubai (DXB) suspended until March 28.

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Much of Quebec’s Road Infrastructure Needs Fixing. What’s the Holdup?

A massive hole that opened up in a Châteauguay, Que., bridge earlier this month has reignited calls for Quebec to better invest in its aging road infrastructure, with several groups saying the incident should be a wake-up call for the province.

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Athens Taxi Strike Continues As Parliament Debates Transport Bill

Taxi drivers in Athens extended their strike for a second day on Wednesday, warning that work stoppages could continue for as long as the new transport bill remains under discussion in Parliament. The industrial action is being coordinated by the Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union (SATA), which has called on drivers nationwide to support the protest.

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Ukraine: Shevchenkivska Community Launches Social Taxi in Mykolaiv to Aid Mobility Impaired and Pregnant Residents

In the Shevchenkivska community of Mykolaiv region, the “Social Taxi” service is launching to support people with limited mobility. According to the community leader, Oleh Pylypenko, the service allows access to all medical facilities in the community, the Center for Administrative Services, social services, and other municipal institutions.

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Ferry Emissions Surpass Cars in Major European Ports, New Study Shows

A new study by clean transport NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) shows that pollution from ferries equals that of 6.6 million cars in Europe’s major port cities, challenging the common assumption that travelling by ferry is a greener alternative to flying.

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Candela and Canopy Power Partner to Deliver Floating Solar Charging for Electric Ferries in Asia-Pacific

Candela has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based renewable energy firm Canopy Power to deploy floating solar-powered charging stations for electric vessels in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The collaboration integrates Candela's efficient P-12 hydrofoil ferries with Canopy Power's microgrids featuring Ocean Sun's patented floating solar technology, creating a fully fossil-free "sun-to-sea" ecosystem for remote island communities and coastal tourism.

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South Africa: Mkhwanazi Threatens to Shut Taxi Ranks over Motorist Harassment

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has warned taxi operators in the province that he will shut down their ranks if they do not stop harassing private drivers who give lifts to stranded passengers. Mkhwanazi spoke on Saturday at a special meeting between two rival taxi associations, the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association and the KwaDukuza Taxi Association.

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India: No Legal Definition for Bike Taxis, States Free to Regulate Under 2025 Rules

The Indian government has clarified that there is no legal definition for 'bike taxis' under existing law, leaving their regulation to state governments under the newly issued Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, even as data shows a sharp rise in fatalities involving two-wheelers across the country.

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Image: CNA

ComfortDelGro, Singapore’s largest taxi operator, said on March 17 that it will temporarily raise its metered fares and introduce a fee on app bookings to help drivers manage higher operating costs, as the war in the Middle East continues to put upward pressure on fuel prices. The company said that the higher charges will be in place from March 24 to May 31.

During the period, customers will see a one cent increase in metered fares for distances and waiting times. The rate, which is charged at various points of a trip, currently ranges from 26 cents for regular and larger taxis to 36 cents for limousine cabs. A driver fee will also be introduced for bookings on its Zig app. This will be set at 50 cents for fares below $15, and 80 cents for fares of $15 and above.

With the hike, a metered ride of 17km on a typical four-seater taxi from Jurong East MRT station to the ION Orchard shopping mall booked on the Zig app will cost $19.10. This assumes that the trip takes place during off-peak hours and does not incur waiting or ERP charges. The same trip currently costs around $17.90.

ComfortDelGro’s head of Singapore point-to-point mobility business, Mr Michael Huang, said: “All of these fees will go directly to drivers.

Source: The Straits Times

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