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

Thursday, 02 April 2026

Cogitamus

• TransportInfo will be taking a short breakTransportInfo will be taking a short break over the Easter holiday and will not be updated from Friday 3 April until Monday 6 April 2024. We will see you bright and early on Tuesday 7 April 2024.

BBC News

• Footbridge plan given go-ahead for rail stationA railway station's footbridge will be replaced after a council gave a plan the go-ahead.
• Wind warnings add to CalMac's Easter challengeHigh wind forecasts have added to ferry operator CalMac's problems as it prepares for the Easter weekend with several of its largest vessels still out of action.
• 'Mini Switzerland' rural transport plan approvedPlans for a new pilot project aiming to create a so-called "Mini Switzerland" transport network in the Peak District have been given the green light.
• Mass robotaxi malfunction halts traffic in Chinese cityBaidu has not responded to a request for comment about the outage, which affected at least 100 cars.
• IndiGo names former British Airways chief Willie Walsh as CEOThe announcement comes days after former CEO Pieter Elbers quit in the backdrop of a flight cancellation crisis.
• Record monthly rise in petrol and diesel prices, says RACMarch saw the fastest rise in fuel prices on record in pence per litre, according to the motoring organisation.

Department for Transport

• Sue Sharp has been appointed Interim Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)DPTAC provides advice to the government on the transport needs of disabled people.
• The government's vision for buses and approach to delivery - Policy paperProvides an overview of government policy on buses in England outside London.
• Better Connected: tap-and-go travel across trains, trams and buses announced in government's new transport strategyStrategy sets the direction for a more joined-up transport network that works better for passengers, drivers and communities across England.
• Cycle training and walk to school programmes among 3108 million active travel funding boostFunding to remove barriers to active travel for people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Local transport plans Statutory guidance for local authorities on preparing local transport plans. Explains legal duties, core principles, what to include and the planning process.

The Guardian

• SpaceX confidentially files to go public at $1.75tn, reports sayElon Musk’s rocket company could go public as early as June, Bloomberg reportsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering on the US stock market, according to reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal. The IPO is set to be one of the most closely watched and highly valued listings in market history.Elon Musk’s company, which has become a dominant power in both space travel and satellite communications, could potentially seek a valuation upwards of $1.75tn.

The Herald

• Greens pledge 'free bus travel for all' as they launch campaignThe Scottish Greens are to pledge free bus travel as they launch their election campaign in Edinburgh.

The Scotsman

• Exclusive:Ferry firm condemns '20th century roads' and calls for bypass duallingA leading ferry operator has warned ministers it is being forced to contend with '20th century roads' in the south-west of Scotland, and backed calls for dualling of a key rural route.

The Telegraph

• National app could end parking headaches [subscription]Motorists' parking headaches could become a thing of the past as councils will soon have to use a universal app.

Times Online

• Lime 'bullying residents' in attempt to fight Richmond ban [subscription]The e-bike company has been calling, emailing and sending push alerts to locals to promote a petition urging the council to reconsider its decision
• 'Unprecedented' monthly rise in fuel prices since Iran war [subscription]The average cost for a litre of unleaded petrol rose by 20p in March, while diesel prices went up 40p

City AM

• Airlines face five-week cliff edge before fuel shortages could ground flightsMajor UK-based carriers have said that they have between five and six weeks’ worth of supplies before their reserves will begin to run short as a result of the protracted closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

Daily Express

• Artemis 2 launch LIVE: Astronauts blast into space as NASA moon mission beginsThe Artemis 2 mission is taking astronauts around the Moon and back.

Rail Delivery Group

• New digital PlusBus ticket enables seamless rail and bus travelA new digital version of the PlusBus ticket, which makes it easier for customers to complete a journey using the train and the bus, has been launched nationwide by Rail Delivery Group (RDG) in partnership with Traveline.

Sky News

• 'System malfunction' causes more than 100 driverless taxis to stop mid-trafficA system failure caused more than 100 driverless cars to suddenly stop mid-traffic in China.

Birmingham Mail

• Ryanair warns UK 'most vulnerable' to jet fuel shortages with holidays at riskMichael O’Leary, the chief executive of the budget airline, said Britain would be the most exposed to jet fuel shortages.

Bristol Live

• Electric vehicle points on Bristol lampposts cost '10 times more' than home chargingAmp posts have recently appeared across Bristol as a new way for EV drivers to charge up
• Fines piling up for e-scooter riders as Bristol residents say they remain a 'dangerous menace'About 16,000 fixed penalty notices were handed out between September 2025 and January 2026 across the West of England

Derby Telegraph

• 'Really significant' investment on the way for Derby amid major Great British Railways plansThe Transport Secretary praised the city's 'proud' railway heritage, 'incredible' talent and skills in the rail supply chain

Liverpool Echo

• People of Welsh seaside town give their verdict on direct train service to LiverpoolA direct line marks the beginning of a new relationship with Liverpool and Wales

Sheffield Star

• 'Tap and go' and live bus tracking could be on its way to Sheffield under Government's new transport strategyMillions of passengers across England could soon benefit from simpler, cheaper and better connected journeys under a new national transport strategy launched today.

Cambridge News

• Cyclists and walkers welcome new A10 bridge as 'a fantastic asset'The bridge in Waterbeach forms part of an off-road route between Waterbeach and Cambridge

Lancashire Telegraph

• Oliver Ryan MP - Burnley rail users deserve better access... I want to focus on a project closer to home that I've been wanting to champion for a while. Burnley Manchester Road railway station and its lack of accessibility.

Other Regional Press

• Sandbanks Chain Ferry prices rise from April 1PASSENGERS and frequent users of the Sandbanks Chain Ferry have been reminded that its prices have increased from April 1.
• Isle of Wight ferries petition prompts response from MPA petition calling for state intervention to secure 'affordable' and capped ferry fares for Islanders has reached nearly 4,000 signatures and prompted a response from an Isle of Wight MP.
• £15bn transport fund share could back Rushcliffe tram extension, says Transport SecretaryPlans to expand Nottingham's tram network including a possible link to Fairham in Rushcliffe could benefit from new national funding, ministers say.
• Contactless payment to be expanded to more London transport after ticket price surgeChanges to paper ticketing time restrictions to align with Transport for London's contactless structure meant services that could previously be used with an off-peak ticket required a more expensive peak ticket
• Mayor demands clarity after conflicting Department for Transport messages on A10 upgradeMayor Paul Bristow demanded urgent clarification on the A10 improvement scheme after receiving conflicting messages from the Department for Transport (DfT) over the project's future.
• 'Filthy' toilets at Birmingham Airport slammed by taxi drivers Trade union has labelled the airport facilities an 'absolute disgrace' for taxi drivers

Airportwatch

• I have seen a vision of hell: Heathrow Terminal 3 [subscription]The airport is a fluorescent purgatory of queues, delays and dismal noodles

Rail Business Daily

• Network Rail and South Western Railway carrying out £6 million upgrade for Berrylands stationBerrylands station in South West London will close from Monday 11 May, until the end of September, for a £6 million programme of upgrades.
• Government announces new tap-and-go travel across trains, trams and busesMore cities and towns across England are set to benefit from tap-and-go travel on buses, trains, and trams after the Government announced more local powers for contactless travel.
• One Big Circle partners with LoramBritish rail technology company One Big Circle has announced a strategic partnership with rail maintenance leader Loram Maintenance of Way.

The Business Desk

• Government widens Liverpool-style tap-and-go capability for commutersTap-and-go travel across buses, trains, and trams will benefit more cities and towns across England after the Government announced more local powers for contactless travel today (April 2), emulating the system now in operation in Liverpool.

Aviation Industry

• Lufthansa Celebrates 40th Birthday at Birmingham AirportLufthansa is today celebrating 40 years of operations from Birmingham Airport (BHX), having commenced services from the Midlands on 1 April 1986.

Other News Sources

• Network Rail development arm in leadership transition as CEO steps downPlatform4, the rail-led development arm of Network Rail, is undergoing a leadership transition following the departure of chief executive officer (CEO) Robin Dobson after a brief tenure at the top.
• The multi billion euro rail handoff: de-risking construction-to-operationsEurope's largest rail mega-projects face a critical challenge: ensuring that the wealth of data produced during construction is delivered accurately and efficiently to operations teams. Mismanaged handovers can lead to operational inefficiencies, increased OPEX and long-term asset risk.
• Vodafone UK Brings 5G Standalone Mobile Network to Manchester AirportMobile operator Vodafone (VodafoneThree) has announced that they've deployed their fastest 5G Standalone (5GSA) based mobile broadband network (indoors) across Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 Departures at Manchester Airport, while also improving existing 4G and general 5G network coverage. The move should help to cope with busy periods and deliver better performance.
• Major train timetable change could make it easier to get to Gatwick Airport Surrey holiday makers could find it easier to get to Gatwick Airport as GWR holds a trial

News from Europe

• Prague calls for stronger rail freight supportThe Czech transport minister has called for stronger EU funding for rail infrastructure and urgent measures to support rail freight competitiveness.