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

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

BBC News

• South wales metro: Call for UK to cover any EU shortfallEU funding to upgrade public transport in south Wales must be protected by the UK Government, the first minister is expected to say later.
• Manchester tram abuse victim campaigns against hate crimeManchester tram abuse victim Juan Jasso joins a campaign to stamp out hate crime on Greater Manchester's public transport.
• Southern rail suspends 341 servicesHundreds of Southern rail services are temporarily axed under an amended timetable brought in from midnight in response to months of disruption.

ITV News

• Abellio dismisses speculation it's rethinking franchise bidThe company which runs the East Anglia rail franchise has dismissed speculation it's rethinking its bid for the contract.

The Guardian

• Southern rail operator warned it will not be able to bid for new franchisesRail minister says Govia Thameslink Railway should not be allowed to bid unless performance improvesThe rail minister, Claire Perry, has warned the operator of the troubled Southern rail franchise it will not be able to bid for future franchises unless it improves its performance.
• #SouthernFail: rail users stage demonstration at Victoria stationMore than 100 disgruntled commuters protest after months of chaos caused by cancellations by Southern RailwayCommuters angered by delays and cancellations to Southern rail services have staged a demonstration at Victoria station in London.Brandishing placards reading “we pay, you delay” and “ban the fat controller”, the protesters chanted “Southern Fail” through a megaphone. Many passing commuters making their way home on Southern services signalled their approval to the demonstrators, who numbered more than 100. Continue reading...

The Telegraph

• 'What do we want? Trains! When do we want them? On time!'�Southern passengers stage protest as operator cancels yet more services
• Transport secretary describes RMT rail union as absurd as chaos on Southern continues�

Times Online

• Southern trains still late despite slashed timetable [Subscription]Commuters on Britain’s most troubled rail network vented their fury yesterday as trains continued to arrive late despite the introduction of a drastically reduced timetable.

Mail Online

• Southern Rail commuters gather for demonstration at Victoria station Hundreds protested at London Victoria station during rush hour. Demonstrators wearing devil costumes brandished a sign saying ‘commuter hell’ and chanted ‘Southern fail’.
• Theresa May facing calls to ditch HS2 project when she becomes PM HS2 has just scrapped plans for a major station outside Sheffield and came under fire last week after it emerged that a new route will cut through a 212-home development in South Yorkshire.

London Evening Standard

• Southern rail protest: Victoria protesters vent fury at crisis-hit train companyCrowds of angry commuters have gathered at Victoria station this evening for a protest over crisis-hit train operator Southern.
• Minister refuses to blame Southern Rail for its chaotic commuter serviceRail minister Claire Perry today sparked anger for failing to condemn Southern Railway after it cancelled hundreds of services into London.
• Wells Terrace entrance at Finsbury Park station close to 'reduce congestion and improve security'Commuters face disruption to their morning routes after TfL announced a heavily used entrance to Finsbury Park station is to close.
• Southern rail: City lawyer issues legal threat to crisis-hit operatorA City lawyer who claims she was forced to quit her job because of the Southern rail chaos is threatening legal action against the "failing" rail operator for loss of earnings.

Wales Online

• Welsh Government announces taskforce to aid 'disadvantaged' valleysThe group aims to address the valleys’ future needs for education, health and economic development

Other Regional Press

• Concern that rail improvement works in Montrose are only being “considered” by ministersScottish Ministers have been warned not to backtrack on major rail improvement works in Montrose to increase journey times.
• More than 100 new cameras at Chiltern train stations in Oxfordshire to improve passenger safety More than 100 new CCTV cameras will installed at stations across the Chiltern Railways network to protect passengers from crime.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Another daily rail service from the Port of FelixstoweThe 33rd daily rail freight service has been introduced at the Port of Felixstowe. Coming just seven weeks after the introduction of the 32nd daily train, the new service is operated by GB Railfreight and runs between the Port of Felixstowe and Rotherham. Commenting on the new service, Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Felixstowe and Managing Director of HPH Europe division, said: “The introduction of the 33rd daily rail service from the Port of Felixstowe so soon after the 32nd is evidence of the continuing strong demand for rail. An ever increasing number of shippe...

Rail Magazine

• Brand new Class 68s enter traffic with AngliaClass 68s started work with Abellio Greater Anglia. They will be on hire with AGA until September 30.

Rail Technology Magazine

• GTR warned against bidding for franchises ahead of rush hour protestWarnings have been issued this morning that Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) should not bid for any new franchises until it improves its services, just as rail union RMT called the operator’s axing of almost 350 trains a day “a crisis measure designed to rig their appalling performance figures”.
• HSRIL explores how the industry can encourage diversity railHigh Speed Rail Industry Leaders (HSRIL) are today hosting an event which aims to address the longstanding skills shortage facing the rail sector.
• Keolis and Abellio selected as preferred bidders for Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn contracts Public transport association Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) has selected Keolis and Abellio as preferred bidders for two contracts to operate the Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn network from December 2019.
• Multi-Contact-Electrical Connector Systems for Railways Multi-Contact (MC) specialises in miniature to high-current connector systems for high-amp energy transfers.The systems are used in a wide range of applications that include:Railway and transport tec...

Railnews

• Angry commuters demonstrate as Southern cuts services Angry rail users from the south of England are set to demonstrate at London Victoria later today, as Southern axes one train in six in a bid to improve reliability. Meanwhile, the government has indicated that its patience could be running out, as MPs continue to report a barrage of complaints from their constituents over Southern's recent performance. At the same time, Scottish rail passengers are facing the second day of a 48-hour walkout by members of the RMT. In both cases, the disruption is being caused by disputes over proposed extensions of driver-only operation, which rail unions clai...

Other News Sources

• Gatwick Express train services cut back Fewer trains will operate to Sussex airport as part of emergency timetable