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

Thursday, 01 October 2015

BBC News

• Mystery shoppers to test taxi faresMystery shoppers will test taxis drivers for the remaining Rugby World Cup games in Cardiff following claims people have been refused fares.
• Diesel policy 'a mistake' - ex-ministerFormer Labour science minister Lord Drayson says his government made a mistake in promoting diesel cars as they are
• Car smoking ban comes into forceA law banning smoking in vehicles where children are present comes into force in England and Wales.
• Tesla's Model X has 'bird wing' doorsThe manufacturer has introduced its third car, which features doors that open upwards and on which it is staking its financial hopes

Financial Times

• Uber rallies customers against TfL plansMore than 90,000 people sign petition backing ride-hailing app after TfL proposes crackdown

The Guardian

• Wide range of cars emit more pollution in realistic driving tests, data showsDiesel cars made by Renault, Nissan, Hyundai, Citroen, Fiat and Volvo among others emitted far more NOx in more rigorous tests, research showsNew diesel cars from Renault, Nissan, Hyundai, Citroen, Fiat, Volvo and other manufacturers have been found to emit substantially higher levels of pollution when tested in more realistic driving conditions, according to new data seen by the Guardian.Research compiled by Adac, Europe’s largest motoring organisation, shows that some of the diesel cars it examined released over 10 times more NOx than revealed by existing EU tests, using an alternative stand...
• Uber fights back with petition after TfL launches consultationTaxi hailing company gathers 90,000 signatures as Institute of Directors accuses mayor of heavy-handednessBoris Johnson, the mayor of London, has been put on the spot over the launch of a consultation process being viewed as a crude attempt to curb the explosive growth in London of Uber, the taxi hailing app.Simon Walker, the director general of the Institute of Directors, said that Johnson, together with chancellor George Osborne and business secretary Sajid Javid, should be reducing regulation in the capital’s taxi and private car hire market rather than bringing in new and stiffer rules. Wa...

The Telegraph

• Why on earth are Conservatives trying to stop Uber breaking London's black cab cartel?Proposed restrictions on the London taxi market would protect the black cab cartel and hurt consumers

The Mirror

• Smoking in cars carrying children in England and Wales is now illegal: Everything you need to know Under the ban, which came into force at midnight, drivers or passengers who are caught smoking will face a £50 fixed penalty
• Shock figures reveal number of bus and lorry drivers who suffer blackouts but are still on Britain's roads Figures uncovered through the Freedom of Information Act shows 142 heavy goods vehicle drivers suffer blackouts like Glasgow bin lorry crash driver Harry Clarke

Birmingham Post

• £1.8bn upgrade for Midlands roadsA link road between the M54 and the M6 Toll and new smart motorway signs are among the projects which will go ahead following a new batch of government funding

The York Press

• Drivers risk fine by smoking with children in the car FROM today drivers could be at risk of being stopped and fined if they smoke with children in the car.

Blackpool Gazette

• 1.1 million Volkswagen vehicles in the UK affected by the diesel emissions scandalIt has been revealed that 1.1 million Volkswagen vehicles in the UK are affected by the diesel emissions scandal.

Carlisle News & Star

• Drivers will be 'educated' about smoking in cars danger, say police Police in Cumbria say they will not take a heavy handed approach to enforcing a new ban on smoking in cars with children.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Over 1 million Volkswagen-made vehicles in UK affected by diesel emissions scandalMore than one million vehicles in the UK are affected by the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, the company has said.

Other News Sources

• Volkswagen scandal: 1.2 million vehicles in UK affectedNearly 1.2 million UK motorists are to be told they must have their vehicles
• Try car sharing with CamShare Liftshare Week is coming up, a great time to encourage commuters to try car sharing.