Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Thursday, 18 June 2015

BBC News

• Free city bike project under wayThe first of 5,000 free bikes for people in Birmingham are being distributed under a £24m scheme.
• Scheme lays on free swimming tripsFree buses are being laid on to take people from two of the most deprived parts of Warrington to their nearest swimming pool.
• VIDEO: Airbus' new lighter, quieter helicopterTheo Leggett takes a look at the new Airbus H160 helicopter on display at the Paris Air Show.
• VIDEO: India's yoga-practising train driversThe railway authorities in India are offering yoga sessions to help train drivers deal with stress.
• Boeing warns Airbus over state aidBoeing warns arch-rival Airbus over unconfirmed reports that the European planemaker wants state aid for a new version of its A380.

Financial Times

• Goldsmith promises 1m-man anti-runway protestTory contender for London mayor says extra Heathrow runway ‘politically unworkable’
• Europe’s top 5 airlines set up lobby groupFlag carriers and budget operators join forces to push for change in policy and regulation

The Guardian

• Airline group scraps plan to reduce size of carry-on luggage after backlash Anger over plans to downsize cabin luggage has led to a U-turn by the global airline association A global airline association said Wednesday that it was scrapping its recommendation to reduce the size of carry-on bags for air travellers after an “intenseâ€� response in North America.The International Air Transportation Association (IATA), a Montreal-headquartered trade group whose members represent nearly 85% of total air traffic, said that it is cancelling its proposal after “significant concernsâ€� were raised in North America. Continue reading...
• Boris Johnson filmed swearing at taxi driver in LondonMayor of London while out riding his bike tells black-cab driver to "f**k off and die" and not in that order. Boris Johnson's relationship with the capital's black cab trade has become further troubled after the Sun and Daily Mail newspapers released a video showing the mayor of London on his bicycle telling a taxi driver to f**k off and die and not in that order�.The exchange in Islington, north London, was caught on camera by a passerby.

The Independent

• Boris Johnson tells London cabbie to 'f*** and die' during row over Uber taxi booking app Boris Johnson, the London mayor, has been caught on camera telling a taxi driver to “f*** off and dieâ€� while cycling in the city’s streets.

The Scotsman

• Pay dispute looms among ScotRail train driversTRAIN drivers from the Aslef union today warned ScotRail they will be in dispute unless the train operator improves its ”derisory” 1.1 per cent pay offer.

Network Rail

• Thameslink Programme apprentices get to work – don’t miss your chance too“When other people are finishing university, I’ll have a career.” Eighteen-year-old Lewes Burton-Bell reflects on his decision to become one of 12 Thameslink Programme apprentices, working on the vast scheme to rebuild London Bridge station and improve north-south travel through central London.

London Evening Standard

• Zac Goldsmith: One million will be blighted by third runway noise Mayoral hopeful Zac Goldsmith pitched into a row with Heathrow Airport today by claiming a million Londoners will be hit by noise if a third runway goes ahead.
• Call for automatic rail refunds as London commuters lose out on £56m a year London commuters are £56 million out of pocket after failing to claim refunds from train companies after their journeys were delayed, new figures show.
• Terminator Genisys star Arnold Schwarzenegger takes a Boris bike out for a morning ride around London Arnold Schwarzenegger has been doing a spot of sight-seeing in London – and what better way to do that than on a Boris bike.
• Tube strike: London Underground drivers 'have voted for strike over 24-hour Tube plan' Tube train drivers have voted to support strike action in the escalating dispute over pay and conditions for operating the 24-hour weekend service, it was claimed today.
• Heathrow expansion row dominates Labour hustings as Sadiq Khan accused of U-turn The first Labour hustings of the mayoral campaign was dominated by a row over Heathrow expansion as Sadiq Khan was accused of political opportunism for switching his position.
• 'I'll smash your eyes through the back of your head': Extraordinary road rage row between lorry driver and cyclist caught on camera A lorry driver's foul-mouthed rant at a cyclist in a dispute over a mobile phone has been caught on camera.

Manchester Evening News

• Baker plans to sell fresh bread at Manchester Victoria station if he can raise enough funds through crowdfundingHe has already raised £3,945 towards funding the business

This Is Local London Network

• Attack on Boris Bike cyclist at traffic lights in Tower Hamlets investigated by police Remember the video we reported appearing to show an attempted mugging of a cyclist for his Boris Bike in east London? Police in Tower Hamlets are investigating the assault.

Doncaster Free Press

• Motorcyclists allowed to use bus lanes in Doncaster congestion trialMotorcyclists in Doncaster are being given free rein to use bus lanes on one of Doncaster’s busiest routes in a bid to avoid congestion.

North Wales Live

• Jaguar Land Rover aiming to warn drivers of potholes dangerHalewood-built cars used in research to alert drivers and highways authorities

Other Regional Press

• easyJet drops deal with Luton TownBudget airline easyJet will no longer sponsor Luton Town FC, it has been announced.
• Manston Airport bosses Cartner and Musgrave to unveil details of future use of landManston Airport's owners are to reveal fresh details about its future today - after the airfield shut last year.
• Manston airport to feature film studio and 2,500 homes and be renamed Stone Hill Park owners revealThe owners of the former airport have unveiled plans to build a film studio, thousands of homes and swimming facilities at the renamed site.
• Hartlepool charity boost from Grand Central Rail schemeHartlepool charity Narco was the first organisation to benefit from a new community rewards scheme run by Grand Central Rail.

Railnews

• HS2 construction 'to start in 2017' Building the first phase of HS2 is set to begin in 2017, the government said, as it announced that it has tabled more than 120 changes to the hybrid Bill which is intended to authorise the line, following discussions with communities along the route. These amendments will now be considered by the Select Committee which is dealing with the Bill. The DfT added that the hybrid Bill remains 'on track' to achieve Royal Assent by the end of 2016.

Aviation Industry

• Manchester airport continues record breaking yearNorth-west airport see numbers rise 2.8% last month
• 'Big Three' form coalition to fight Gulf airlines in Open Skies rowBig Three airlines seek suspension of US-bound services from Qatar, Emirates & Etihad
• Lufthansa GDS fee: Clarity CEO criticises lack of engagementTMC chief says he remains ‘sceptical’ over the airline’s move
• Emirates adds ‘Hold My Fare’ booking featurePassengers can ‘lock-in’ a fare for 48 hours for a nominal fee

Other News Sources

• Council sets aside £15k for litter-picking along rubbish-strewn A3 Although maintained by the Highways Agency, the responsibility for litter-picking on the road falls to the borough councils of Guildford and Waverley
• Gatwick Airport oil: 70% more at Horse Hill than previously thought A new report published estimates 271 million barrels of oil per square mile could be lying underneath the ground
• Amadeus and DB renew deal to target online growth3-year deal announced