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

Thursday, 19 May 2016

BBC News

• Metro 'not silver bullet' for economyThe proposed Metro transport system is not a
• What AI can learn from Tube passengersNeuroscientists find that when we navigate a train network, our brains split the task into a hierarchy of different jobs - a strategy that AI developers want to mimic.

Department for Transport

• We need a sustainable railwayRail minister Claire Perry sets out her vision for a sustainable railway.

The Herald

• ScotRail guards to vote on strike action - as bosses brand ballot 'inexplicable'SCOTRAIL conductors will be balloted on industrial action in a dispute over safety.

London Evening Standard

• How the Tube map will look when the Elizabeth line is included on itThis is how the Tube Map when the Elizabeth Line is included on it.
• Heavily pregnant woman's fury as commuters 'refuse to give up seats on two hour train journey'A heavily pregnant woman today claimed "selfish" commuters forced her to stand for nearly two hours amid rush hour chaos during a train strike.
• Paddington train passenger 'punched man in face after hurling anti-Muslim insults'A passenger was subjected to Islamophobic insults before being punched in the face by a fellow train traveller in London, police say.

Sheffield Star

• Sheffield’s tram train project delayed againPlans for a new tram-train link between Sheffield and Rotherham have been hit by another delay.

Rail Magazine

• ORR Chief Inspector: Improving health and safety on our railwaysFor the first time ever, a busy year on the railways passed without a railway worker losing his or her life. But we should not be complacent
• Government considers new East West Rail franchise The Department for Transport is considering a new franchise to operate services on the east-west rail link from Cambridge to Oxford.
• RMT conductors hold latest action on SouthernSouthern Railway conductors in the RMT strike today, as the dispute continues over extension of Driver Only Operation (DOO) and changes to their roles.
• Flying Scotsman: Network Rail issues trespass warningSpectators told trespassing could lead to prosecution and a fine of up to �1,000 - and they could even risk electrocution

Rail Technology Magazine

• KEYMILE Solutions for Secure Communications in Mission-Critical Networks at CommunicAsia 2016 KEYMILE will present its XMC20 product range, including end-to-end encryption, at CommunicAsia 2016 from 31 May to 2 June in Singapore. Operators of mission-critical telecommunications networks are the target group. Based on technology made in German…
• WEGH Group-Plants and Equipment for the Railway Industry WEGH Group is a leader in the design and construction of solutions for the railway industry with more than 470 customers in over 40 countries around the world.
• Midland Metro extension introduction delayed over safety concernsBirmingham’s Midland Metro extension is facing further delays after testing identified safety concerns. Trams were scheduled to run from Bull Street to Stephenson Street from 22 May, but the service has now been put on hold indefinitely. Extensive safety checks have already been carried...
• TES becomes full member of RSSBTES Ltd has successfully attained full membership of the Rail Safety and Systems Board (RSSB).  John Abbott, RSSB external engagement director, and his colleagues Mike Carr and Alan Tordoff visited TES headquarters in Colchester to induct TES into membership and to introduce the TES...
• Extra evening services added on London OvergroundEvening services on the London Overground have been expanded to cope with growing demand. The East London line has been increased from two trains to four an hour between 10.00 and 11.30pm on the routes from Dalston Junction to New Cross and Clapham Junction and from Highbury & Islington to...
• RMT accused of 'scaremongering' as DOO strikes threaten to expand to ScotRailThe dispute over driver-operated only (DOO) trains has worsened following another round of strikes on the Southern routes, as RMT announced it is also balloting ScotRail conductors. Southern conductors went on strike yesterday, after changing the date twice, leading to train delays all day. The...
• Franchises must put passenger comfort at the heart of rolling stock - PerryRail franchises will be required to modernise their rolling stock in order to improve passenger comfort, the DfT has said in its new rolling stock perspective. The government will require bidders on new franchises such as West Midlands Rail to include improving rolling stock in their bid, and...

Railnews

• No trams to New Street just yet The launch of Midland Metro services to Birmingham New Street has been postponed. Trams had been due to start carrying passengers through central Birmingham to the city's largest station on Sunday, and a Centro manager has admitted that he is 'bitterly disappointed'. The project to extend the line from Snow Hill to New Street is already running late, and the latest delay has been attributed to 'minor anomalies in some of the track alignment'.
• Disruption as Southern conductors strike for third day Southern services are being widely disrupted as conductors belonging to the RMT stage their third one day strike in the dispute over driver-only operation. The RMT has claimed that safety is put at risk by DOO, and is opposing Southern's plans to replace conductors on many trains by 'on-board supervisors', who would deal with revenue protection and assist passengers, but take no part in operating the train. Southern denies that there are any safety implications.

Railway Gazette

• Android Pay for pay-as-you-go travel in LondonUK: Transport for London announced it had become ‘the first transport organisation in the world to...
• Four bids for high speed fleetSPAIN: National operator RENFE announced on May 18 that it had received four bids to supply up to...
• LDC backs TXM Plant management buy-outUK: Road-rail equipment provider TXM Plant has completed a management buy-out, backed by mid-market...