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

Thursday, 23 April 2026

BBC News

• 'Criminal use of e-bikes and e-scooters increasing'More needs to be done to clamp down on criminals increasing use of e-scooters and e-bikes, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) said.
• 'Illegal e-scooter riders are a menace' Up and down the country police forces are seizing and crushing privately owned electric scooters that have been used illegally on roads and pavements.
• Station lift plans submitted after 15-year campaignA 15-year campaign to improve accessibility at a Dorset train station has moved a step closer to success, after new plans to install lifts were submitted.
• All-night Manchester Airport trains to run from MayEight new TransPennine Express services will run to the airport from Manchester Piccadilly next month.
• Second Tube strike to impact London from middayRMT members are walking out in a dispute over proposed changes to their working week.
• Lufthansa cuts 20,000 summer flights as fuel prices surgeThe airline is the latest to cut flights as the US-Israel war with Iran sends jet fuel prices soaring.
• UK inflation rises after Iran war pushes up fuel pricesThe figures provide the first official look at the impact of the Iran war on the cost of living in the UK.

Financial Times

• Tesla boosts spending plans to $25bn as Elon Musk doubles down on AI betCEO warns investors to expect 'very significant' spending increase on self-driving taxis, trucks, robots and chip factories.

The Guardian

• Tesla reports mixed financial results as Musk pivots automaker to AI and robotsFigures fail to significantly buoy stock as firm admits ‘significant effort and hard work’ needed to achieve goalsTesla reported its first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, disclosing some better-than-expected results but faltering in some key areas. The report failed to significantly buoy Tesla’s stock, which has limped along this year while its CEO, Elon Musk, has tried to sell the company’s new vision of humanoid robots and self-driving robotaxis.
• London faces more disruption as second 24-hour tube strike beginsRMT union drivers continue strike action against London Underground plans for a voluntary four-day weekCommuters in London face another two days of disruption as a second 24-hour tube strike starts from midday on Thursday.No further talks have taken place to settle the dispute and drivers in the RMT union will continue industrial action against London Underground plans for a voluntary four-day week after the first 24-hour strike from midday on Tuesday.

The Independent

• London Tube strikes: When are they and what lines will be affected?London commuters may need to change their travel plans ahead of the action

The Scotsman

• First completed Lumo train for new Stirling-London service unveiledRoute expected to be launched next month with some Scottish stations getting their first direct London trains

Times Online

• Iran-US war latest: Clearing Strait of Hormuz 'could take six months' [subscription]Disruption to shipping continues after IRGC attacks three vessels and US intercepts tankers amid blockade
• Tube strikes 2026: when are they and how long will they go on for? [subscription]A series of 24-hour strikes will take place across various dates from April until June, with significant disruption on the underground expected
• Volvo boss behind its EV revolution says it has been slower than hoped [subscription]Chief executive Hakan Samuelsson says the 2017 target to produce 1 million electric cars has been missed but the carmaker remains ambitious
• Summer holiday crisis looms as jet fuel stocks run low [subscription]Europe faces a 'very serious crisis' and summer holidays could be under threat as jet fuel stocks begin to run low, senior European Union officials have warned.
• Tesla falls short of revenue forecasts [subscription]Elon Musk's carmaker narrowly misses first-quarter revenue and profit expectations as it faces global competition in the electric vehicle sector

Transport Committee

• Chair welcomes Minister's letter outlining action on aviation and shipping emissionsThe Chair of the Transport Committee has welcomed correspondence from the Minister for Climate stating that the Government will include the UK's share of international aviation and shipping emissions in its future legally-binding climate budgets.

Mail Online

• Lufthansa axes 20,000 summer flights due to fuel prices as UK airlines warn of holiday season chaosGerman airline Lufthansa has axed 20,000 summer flights within Europe due to soaring fuel prices, which have made many journeys 'unprofitable' for the firm.
• Ryanair to close check-in 20 minutes early as EU's new border controls cause long delays for passengersThe airline currently allows passengers to check-in until 40 minutes before their flights.

Local Government

• On the right track: Carlisle Station Gateway plans get the go aheadPlans to deliver major public realm improvements and a new 239‑space car park as part of the Carlisle Station Gateway Project have been approved by Cumberland Council's planning committee.

Sky News

• Tesla surprises Wall Street and says demand for vehicles has returnedThose expecting an announcement on new cities for driverless cars or a date for robot production to begin will be disappointed - and Elon Musk is still far from a $1trn payout.

Birmingham Post

• BMW marks 25 years of modern Mini made in the UKThe first new version of the car rolled off the production line in 2001

Bristol Live

• Brittany Ferries rules out fuel surcharges and price hikes for summer holidaysBrittany Ferries also hit out at rivals that have implemented 'knee-jerk price rises' in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis

Daily Post (North Wales)

• 'Suicidal' A55 crossing sparks debate over walking across busy dual carriageway Drivers 'sounding their horns' at pedestrian on A55 sparks debate on the crossing

Wirral Globe

• Port Sunlight Station adopted under Love Our Railways schemeA WIRRAL railway station has been adopted as part of a scheme that aims to improve and brighten the area.

Other Regional Press

• 'Action must be taken now' to repair and reopen Hammersmith Bridge, London MP saysFleur Anderson, the Labour MP for Putney, said the bridge's closure has led to 'seven years of disruption, frustration and avoidable hardship for residents across West London'
• Minister gives further details of Structures Fund in Westminster debateA Westminster Hall debate on the future of Hammersmith Bridge has produced the clearest set of new details in years about how the long-closed crossing might finally move toward full restoration, with ministers confirming a funding timetable, signalling potential cost reductions and outlining how the next stage of engineering decisions will be made.
• North-east rail campaigners urge Holyrood hopefuls to back Buchan restorationCampaign for North East Rail have highlighted a trio of projects that could transform the region, adding that May's election could become a significant turning point for transport in the north-east.

Bloomberg

• Why Cities Shouldn't Fall For the Robotaxi HypeTransportation historian Peter Norton sees a pattern in the promises that autonomous vehicle companies make as they push self-driving cars into cities.

Coach and Bus Week

• Smartbuses are the way ahead, says Autonomous Systems on World Public Transport Day...autonomous vehicles become more commonplace, Autonomous Systems took the opportunity to showcase its belief that autonomous 'smartbuses' are not a replacement for drivers, but should be seen as a driver's friend, offering a system designed to handle repetitive, low-speed movements inside a bus depot, such as moving buses between parking, washing, and charging, so drivers can focus on serving passengers on the road.

Rail Business Daily

• 'Living roof' cycle shelter unveiled at Chappel and Wakes Colne rail stationA new cycle shelter with a living roof has opened at Chappel & Wakes Colne station to improve facilities for cyclists and encourage wildlife at the same time.

Rail Magazine

• Network Rail 'slow to respond' to Manchester OLE warnings as Mayor demands answersNetwork Rail didn't move fast enough in response to the overhead line damage that disrupted services into Manchester Piccadilly for nearly three days, Chief Executive Jeremy Westlake has admitted.

Railway-News

• Zonegreen Boosts Safety at Major Rail DepotThe Sheffield-based rail specialist has undertaken an extensive programme of updates to its Zonegreen Depot Personnel Protection System (DPPS) at Ashford Maintenance Depot in Kent.

TaxiPoint

• Heathrow Airport TAXI TOUT CRACKDOWN sees multiple drivers investigated and facing action in joint enforcement operation Perry RichardsonA joint enforcement operation targeting illegal taxi touting at Heathrow Airport has led to more than 25 vehicles being stopped and multiple drivers facing further action, according to Aviation Policing.

Other News Sources

• Trio of senior appointments to support Doncaster Sheffield Airport reopeningDoncaster Sheffield Airport has made a trio of senior appointments to bolster the team working on its reopening.

News from Europe

• Carmakers' data confirms huge swing towards electric carsMajor markets like Germany, France, and Italy saw strong growth