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

Sunday, 07 January 2018

The Guardian

• Is this the best we can do with Britain’s railways?As more strikes loom and fares rise steeply, Britain’s railways are the subject of intense debate once again. Would renationalisation solve the problems?Asked by the Observer to explain the issues he has with his morning rail service, Croydon commuter Ian Devlin needs one clarification: “How many pages do you have?”“It’s a disgusting,” he says, waiting on South Croydon’s platform three just before 8am, with no expectation that he will have a seat on his journey. “Cancellations, reduced carriages – I won’t get a seat on this one, either. I think they should be brought back in [to national owner...

Times Online

• Carillion bailout plan to keep it on the rails [Subscription]The embattled builder Carillion could be bailed out by the government as it runs out of road with its lenders.
• Is this any way to run the East Coast railway? [Subscription}The transport secretary has been accused of bailing out the two companies running the East Coast main line. The reality is not so simple
• Taxpayer faces bill for rail franchise failures [Subscription}Taxpayers will help prop up ailing rail franchises under plans to encourage more companies to bid for routes.

City AM

• Carillion faces Wednesday showdown with lenders to safeguard futureTroubled contractor Carillion faces a pivotal showdown with lenders next Wednesday, hoping to convince them to plug a massive funding gap and safeguard the future of the firm and its 50,000 global workforce.
• What you need to know about next week's mass rail strikes across South Western Railway, Southern and Greater AngliaCommuters may still be smarting from the rail fare rise that greeted them at the start of the year, but there's more misery on the way in the form of a series of strikes next week.

London Evening Standard

• Don't fall asleep on the Night Tube: police chief's warning to lone travellersA senior member of the British Transport Police has warned of the dangers of sex attackers targeting lone women falling asleep on the Night Tube.
• No Trousers Tube Ride 2018: Scores of Londoners pledge to strip and ride Underground half-naked for worldwide eventScores of half-naked Londoners are set to ride the Tube en masse as part of this year's No Trousers on the Tube Day.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• The rail fare rise is another reason why railways should be re-nationalised, says Mike KellyThe privately owned rail companies are upping fares and failing to meet franchise commitments so what is the point in them?

Reading Evening Post

• Three days of train strikes on South Western Railway to hit Reading commuters next weekThe rail operator says it will be running more than 70 per cent of its ordinary service on strike days

Other Regional Press

• Railway cable thefts are causing delays to passengers in Wales THIEVES are risking their lives to steal railway cables across Wales and causing significant delays to passengers, British Transport Police has warned.
• VOICES: Public transports cost puts strain on vulnerable peopleOver the new year, it was announced train prices for Dorset rail passengers were going to increase and public transport, or rather the cost of it, is a hot topic for 2018.
• South Western Railway workers to strike again next weekHOPES of averting some of the rail strikes in Hampshire look likely to have been dashed, leaving the bitter dispute over the role of guards deadlocked.

Other News Sources

• Angry commuter slams Southern provider Govia Thameslink after having his wages docked for being late Shop worker Trez Gospodinov was critical of the 9.24am service from Caterham to London Victoria which has made him late for work "about 20 times"
• Why does Dorking have so many railway stations?Dorking has three stations - Dorking, Dorking West and Dorking Deepdene