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

Friday, 29 August 2008

BBC News

• Mayor urged to support tram planLondon's mayor Boris Johnson has been urged to back plans for a £455m cross-river tram service.
• Elderly need more help to get outElderly people in the North East should be asked what they need to help improve their transport options.
• Bus drivers go on 24-hour strikeThousands of London bus drivers go on a 24-hour strike in a row over pay.
• More turbulence?As Zoom suspends flights, will other airlines go under?
• Toyota cuts car sales forecastsJapanese carmaker Toyota cuts its vehicle sales forecast for next year by nearly 7% as Western demand softens.
• Zoom passengers seek new flightsHundreds of travellers left stranded by the collapse of budget airline Zoom attempt to continue their journeys.

Financial Times

• Forth Ports resists investor call for break upCharles Hammond, chief executive of the UK's last independently-listed port operator has rejected calls for the group to break itself up, insisting the two parts of the business complement each other
• Stagecoach sees surge in bus travelThe transport company said it was benefiting from an increasing number of commuters who are choosing to switch from their cars to buses
• Ryanair crackdown on 'screenscraping' upheldA German regional court has upheld an injunction against Vtours.de, a German travel website that has been selling tickets of the Dublin-based no-frills airline's flights without permission
• Zoom grounds transatlantic jet fleet Zoom Airlines, the low-cost carrier operating between North America and Europe, sought protection from creditors in Canada and the UK after several of its aircraft were detained for non-payment of leasing and other fees
• Ryanair and EasyJet face threat of new rivalThomas Cook, the tour operator, is in discussions with rival Tui Travel and the airline Lufthansa about a possible merger of their respective low-cost and charter carriers, a move that would create a competitor for Ryanair, EasyJet and Air Berlin
• Aer Lingus slips into red Aer Lingus slipped into the red in the first half as fuel costs more than wiped out the effects of cost savings and better passenger revenues
• Air France-KLM rekindles interest in AlitaliaAir France-KLM has expressed interest in taking a minority stake in Alitalia once the lossmaking Italian flag carrier is sold by the government and a slimmed-down airline is relaunched by a group of Italian investors, sources close to the consortium said
• Lufthansa gears up European expansion strategyGermany's Lufthansa took the next steps to become one of Europe's dominant scheduled carriers by pitching to take over Brussels Airlines and putting its low-cost carrier Germanwings up for a three-way merger

The Guardian

• Benefits of rail [Letter]Only a government with an unhealthy attachment to the aviation industry could fail to see the environmental and economic benefits of investment in a high-speed rail network linking major cities. Ministers justify Heathrow expansion by saying it is good for business while omitting to factor the rising price of oil into their calculations.
• Can my neighbour and I share a car?My neighbours and I are considering selling their car (old) and sharing mine (two-years-old with low mileage). We live in London and mostly use public transport. Has anyone else tried this? And how do we work out the finances of such a scheme?
• Network Rail told to reduce delaysOrder to cut rail disruption comes despite best punctuality figures for more than 10 years

The Herald

• Stagecoach reports sharp rise in revenuesScottish transport group Stagecoach today said profits since May were higher than expected after a sharp rise in revenues at its bus division.
• Aer Lingus blames fuel costs for lossIrish airline Aer Lingus yesterday reported an operating loss of €22.3m (£17.8m) in the first half of this year, hit by a jump of almost 50% in its fuel costs and a slowdown in consumer spending.
• Downturn sees Forth Ports defer property spendForth Ports, the Scottish ports-to-property business, yesterday unveiled a 38% surge in underlying pre-tax profit and said it had deferred almost 70% of its spending on property development because of the downturn in the market.
• Buses drive StagecoachPerth-based transport company Stagecoach said yesterday that its profits since the May 1 start of its new financial year had been better than it had expected, mainly because of greater-than-anticipated revenue growth in its UK bus division.
• Scots airline Zoom halts all flights in cash crisisLow-cost airline Zoom suspended all operations last night as industry experts warned many of its rivals would fail to see out the winter.
• Network Rail gets target to cut disruptionRail regulators yesterday set Network Rail a target of reducing disruption to passengers from engineering work by more than one-third over the next five years.

The Scotsman

• Switch to buses and trains helps cover Stagecoach fuel costsGROWING numbers of passengers turning to bus and rail travel amid the rising costs of motoring have "more than compensated" for higher fuel and staffing costs at Stagecoach.

The Telegraph

• Passengers stranded as airline seeks protectionMore than 300 passengers have been stranded after a budget transatlantic airline announced it was appointing an administrator.
• British car ownership increasesBritain's dependence on the car is increasing according to new figures.

Times Online

• Toyota to reduce production at UK plant as sales continue to skid Toyota is cutting production at its British car factory as high fuel prices and the darkening global economic outlook force the Japanese company to rein in its dreams of world domination.

Birmingham Post

• Network Rail told to cut disruptionRail regulators have set Network Rail (NR) a target of reducing disruption to passengers from engineering work by more than a third over the next five years.
• Many motorists would back "hard shoulder" schemeSome 50% of AA members support the idea of cars driving along motorway hard shoulders to ease congestion at busy times, an idea piloted in the West Midlands.

Edinburgh Evening News

• It's plain sailing for docks plansA MASSIVE regeneration of Leith Docks has been approved by the city council, despite concerns that it could have a major impact on the economic future of the city centre.

Liverpool Echo

• Shoppers taking to the trainsCAPITAL of Culture and the opening of the Liverpool One retail complex is thought to have contributed to a rise in passengers using Merseyrail.

London Evening Standard

• Capital's buses hit by walk-out tomorrowBus passengers across London will be hit by a 24-hour strike by up to 2,500 drivers and other staff in a row over pay
• Airlines mock choice of BAA to advise on 2012 securityAirlines have ridiculed a decision to appoint BAA as security adviser to the 2012 Olympic Games, with one claiming the athletes will be lucky to get in by 2013
• Rail bosses told to cut disruption by a thirdNetwork Rail have been ordered to cut disruption from engineering work by more than a third over the next five years
• Driving on the hard shoulder gets green light from motoristsAbout half of all AA members back government plans to allow cars to use motorway hard shoulders to ease congestion, a survey has revealed

Manchester Evening News

• Nine month wait for bus passWHEN Alan Almond applied for a bus pass, he expected a bit of a wait. But almost nine months and two more applications later he has STILL not got one.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Campaign to improve A90 blackspot is revivedA campaign for improvements to an accident blackspot on a major north-east trunk road has been revived.
• Drop plan for underground city car park, say officialsAmbitious plans to build a car park hundreds of feet underneath a historic Aberdeen city-centre square could be dumped.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Awards for highest rail stationENGLAND'S highest mainland railway station, Dent Station, has won two awards in recognition of its importance to tourism and railway heritage.

Chester Standard

• Changes to Chester's bus timetables set to kick inCHANGES to bus services in and around Chester take effect from next week. Paul De Santis, commercial director for First's services in the region, said: "Bus travel off
• Flintshire drivers' misery nearly over as roadworks near completionDEVELOPERS say traffic will be allowed to use new parts of a multi-million pound road within the next three months, bringing to an end years of headaches for Flintshire and Ch
• Welsh Assembly Minister pledge to fight for Airbus jobsA SENIOR cabinet minister has hailed a Flintshire aerospace plant as the jewel in the region's crown - and vowed to help save a multi-billion pound deal that would secure

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Corby rail users' joy at new serviceRail campaigners are looking forward to a new train service from Corby to Oakham which should open up links to the north of the country.

Sunderland Echo

• Passenger tells of arrest ordealA BUSINESSMAN was confronted by armed police after he was wrongly arrested during a nightmare train journey.

Western Daily Press

• Months of traffic delays expected as resurfacing work on M5 avonmouth bridge beginsCommuters using one of the most traffic-choked sections of the M5 motorway can expect four months of roadworks and congestion as work to resurface the Avonmouth bridge gets under way again.

International Herald Tribune

• Toyota joins other automakers in warning of more troubles aheadThe company said that higher fuel costs and the economic downturn in the United States and Europe were likely to hold back the auto business at least through 2009.

Washington Post

• More Frustrated Fliers Taking to the Rails Jada Golden stood in the waiting lounge at Union Station, explaining why Amtrak is a better way to travel than an airline.

Railnews

• News: Californians to vote on 220 mph train system VOTERS on the west coast of the United States will now definitely get an opportunity to vote on a proposed high-speed rail system in California in November.
• News: TravelWatch calls for Uckfield line sparks to fly IN its response to the Department for Transport’s new South Central franchise consultation, London TravelWatch, the watchdog for transport users in and around London, has called for electrification of the Uckfield line in East Sussex to avoid platform capacity problems at London Bridge. These are set to reduce the line’s through services during reconstruction as part of the Thameslink expansion project.

Transport for London

• Planned First bus strike on Friday 29 August 2008First bus drivers and supervisors may be holding a 24 hour strike beginning at 03:00 on Friday 29 August 2008. Talks have been taking place between First and the trade union, Unite, over the 2008 pay settlement.
• Only three weeks left to design a new bus for LondonBudding bus designers have just three weeks left to submit designs for a new bus for London. The competition to design a bus inspired by the classic Routemaster was one of the Mayor's key manifesto pledges.

Aviation Industry

• Ryanair axes two routes to UK from CorkRyanair is axing two daily routes from Cork Airport to the UK, it was announced today.
• United to furlough 1,550 flight attendantsUnited Airlines said on Wednesday it will furlough 1,550 flight attendants as it reduces its flying this fall.
• Chinese airlines see 1st-half earnings sink amid surging fuel costs, weakening demandChinese airlines reported disappointing earnings in the first half of the year as surging fuel costs and unexpectedly slowing demand offset foreign exchange gains.
• Airline CEOs Reward Themselves, Passengers Pay for PeanutsWith $2 water, $7 pillows and $25 checked-bag fees, when you get on an airplane these days you expect to see signs on the emergency oxygen mask compartments,
• Zoom planes groundedHundreds of Zoom Airlines passengers were stranded Thursday in Canada and the UK after the cash-strapped Canadian airline suddenly canceled all of its flights after creditors took action to get money owed them.

Other News Sources

• Railway stations nominated for three national awardsSTATIONS in the upper Calder valley have between them scooped three nominations for national rail awards.
• Virgin Rail Partner Says West Coast Expansion at RiskVirgin Rail Group, the U.K. train company controlled by Richard Branson, may be frustrated in efforts to boost services by 30 percent as engineers struggle with track upgrades, shareholder Stagecoach Group Plc said.
• Shortcut to the city centre with £2.8m bus linkA NEW £2.8 million bus link, which will provide a quicker route to the city centre, is due to open next month.
• Passenger numbers soar on coast busMore and more people are using the bus to get around on the North Norfolk coast.
• Around(el) for a centuryThis autumn sees the 100th birthday of the famous London Transport Roundel.
• June holiday prices up £66 per passengerJune holiday prices were up £66 per passenger on the same month last year, according to statistics from Ascent MI's Leisure Travel Monitor ...
• Another Air Cargo Carrier Goes Out of BusinessDulles, VA-based Gemini Air Cargo has ceased all operations
• Second phase starts for Glasgow Airport Rail LinkThe next phase of preparatory work on the Glasgow Airport Rail Link is set to start at the end of August.
• Design work booms with rise in airport retail spendThere has been a marked growth in retail spending at airports, according to research published this week. This trend is set to continue, and offers potential for global design opportunities in retail spaces, which will grow concurrently.
• Car makers must go green, says public in new EU pollThe results of an opinion poll out today (28 August 2008) show an overwhelming 87 per cent of people in the UK think measures to force car manufacturers to make smarter cars that use 25 per cent less fuel should be introduced urgently.
• Mayor Of Clare Challenges Aer Lingus To Dispel Talk Of Transatlantic Cuts At ShannonThursday, 28 August 2008 - The Mayor of Clare today called on management at Aer Lingus to immediately clarify its plans regarding its operating of tra...
• Boeing sweetens last contract offer to IAM before strike voteBoeing presented a best and final offer to its largest union today that retreats from its most unpopular benefits proposals, adds new financial incentives...
• MEPs set for clash over car emissionsAn intense battle is under way in the European Parliament over a law to compel carmakers to make more fuel-efficient cars, as MEPs prepare for critical votes in the first two weeks of September.
• Calls for business referendum on Manchester congestion charge rejectedThe Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) has stated that it is opposed to proposals from businesses in the region for a referendum over plans to introduce a congestion charge in the city.
• Warning issued over increased fuel theftsDrivers in Wales are being warned that a series of fuel thefts have occurred in recent months, as global oil prices continue to soar.
• Work begins on London Gateway logistics facilityDP World has announced that work has now begun on its ambitious plans to create one of the largest logistics facilities in Europe.
• Navman unveils low emissions trackerNavman Wireless has launched a new device that provides owners of vehicles using the new London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) with a means of monitoring emissions.
• HWL announces growth in port container trafficHutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL) has seen port container throughput increase by four per cent during the first half of the year, new data shows.
• Model railway in gardenModel railway in garden