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

Thursday, 04 September 2008

BBC News

• Mayor raises bus and Tube faresLondon passengers could be hit with an above inflation rise in fares on buses and the Tube to plug an £84m "financial black hole".
• Talks over 20mph road zones startOxford residents are being invited to attend the first of seven public meetings to discuss a 20mph speed limit on most of the city's roads.
• Controversial bus lane to remainA controversial bus lane in Derby city centre described as dangerous by residents has been made permanent.
• Trains roll downhillA rail company has asked its drivers to switch their engines off when going downhill to save on fuel.
• Boats hit by problems at bridgesNetwork Rail has been accused of failing to properly maintain and operate swing bridges on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.
• Workers transport bill row [video]Some working drivers in southern England have said they are unfairly expected to subsidise employers' transport bills.
• Strike vote under way at BoeingA strike ballot of Boeing workers is under way with the prospect of the fourth walkout in the past 20 years.
• Fresh troubles for US car giantsUS carmakers GM, Ford and Chrysler all report August sales figures well below 2007 levels, as tough times continue for the motor industry.

Financial Times

• Aer Lingus faces potential cost cutsDermot Mannion, chief executive of Aer Lingus, has warned that the Irish airline must undertake
• Airline losses set to exceed $5bnIndustry expected to remain heavily in loss in 2009, under pressure from high oil prices and a sharp slowdown in the rate of growth in demand for air travel
• Airlines hit at rival Virgin's claimsAmerican Airlines, British Airways and Spain's Iberia, which are seeking regulatory approval to forge a transcontinental venture, have challenged rivals' claims that the alliance would dominate key routes between the US and London

The Guardian

• IATA: Airlines forecast to buckle under £5.2bn of losses over two years· Fewer passengers, higher costs, says trade body · Pressure to lift barriers to industry consolidation
• Inflation-plus hike in London travel faresInflation-busting rises in bus and tube fares will be announced today by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, in a move he will blame on the "reckless" spending policies of his predecessor.
• Airlines forecast £5.2bn lossesBusiness & money: High fuel costs and dwindling passenger demand means gloomy forecast for industry's finances

The Telegraph

• Trains coasting downhill to save fuelTrain drivers are being told to turn off their engines when travelling downhill in an attempt to save fuel.
• Satnav blamed for tourist route chaosSatellite navigation systems have been blaemd for causing chaos on a tourist route as they direct drivers in the oppsosite direction to tour buses.

Reuters News

• Media watchdog bans ExxonMobil LNG advertLONDON (Reuters) - U.S. oil major ExxonMobil may appeal a decision by the Advertising Standards Authority on Wednesday to ban it from continuing to show a TV advert saying gas is one of the cleanest fuels.

Network Rail

• BATHGATE RAIL UPGRADES SET FOR AUTUMN COMPLETION¢ Double-tracked Bathgate-Edinburgh line to begin operation in October ¢ Edinburgh services to/from Bathgate, Dunblane and Glasgow to be affected in September and October by vital works. First ScotRail introduces revised timetable and replacement bus services to minimise disruption

Transport Briefing

• Transport cash identified in Scottish Futures TrustRoads, railways and other public transport in Scotland could soon be able to draw on a new annual funding pot of £150m under plans announced in the Scottish Government's new programme of legislation.
• Leeds busway in expansion study after £3m spendLeeds' Scott Hall Road guided busway has been upgraded with a £3m-plus package of investment in vehicles and infrastructure completed by bus operator First and West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive Metro.
• Network Rail picks Mace for Birmingham New St workConstruction services and engineering company Mace has been selected by Network Rail as delivery partner for the Gateway Plus project to overhaul and expand the concourse and platforms at Birmingham New Street station.
• Park and ride launches bolster Doncaster QBC projectSouth Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Doncaster Council and bus operator First have opened two new park and ride sites along the A638 Quality Bus Corridor.
• Oyster evolvesOyster ticketing technology built in to mobile phones is set to be rolled out across London after telecoms operator O2 declared public reaction to trials of the technology overwhelmingly positive.
• Eurostar kicks off six-year train refurbishment programmeCross-Channel train operator Eurostar is to embark on a major refurbishment of its high speed trainsets in an attempt to encourage more travellers to use the High Speed 1 rail link between London and Continental Europe.

Derby Telegraph

• Road change at Raynesway would cause congestion and crashes, inquiry toldMAJOR changes to a key Derby road would bring increased congestion and could lead to accidents, objectors told a public inquiry.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Boost for passengersREGULAR travellers between Edinburgh and London are to be encouraged to make greener choices by using the train more.
• Pram ban petition backed by hundredsHUNDREDS of people have signed a petition in their campaign to overturn Lothian Buses' controversial ban on prams.
• Tram project firm lines up 50 new jobsTHE company leading the infrastructure part of the city's tram project has launched a major recruitment drive in the Capital.
• Health chiefs fear hospitals will be 'free park-and-rides'HEALTH chiefs fear Lothian hospitals will become free "park-and-rides" for hundreds of commuters once controversial parking fees are scrapped.

Liverpool Post

• Is this the age of the levitating train?Could 300mph locomotives improve Liverpool’s transport links?

London Evening Standard

• Motorists from rich areas could be charged more for road tolls in new 'pay-as-you-drive' postcode lotteryMotorists face a postcode lottery under Government plans to introduce road tolls. Car owners from wealthier districts could find themselves paying more than those from poorer areas.
• Tube is dreadful and I like taking holidays in Italy, says tourism ministerTourism Minister Margaret Hodge came under fire after calling Tube travel

Metro

• Tube fares to soar to fill £84m shortfallTube and bus fares are to go up by above the rate of inflation next year to fill an £84million financial hole.
• Why we wont be going to work in Britain 2033Once, visions of a futuristic society saw us getting to work using hover-cars or jetpacks but the latest wave of seers say that soon we wont be commuting at all.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Councillors shelve proposals for underground car parkCouncillors in Aberdeen yesterday shelved ambitious plans to build a car park underneath a historic city centre square.
• Taxi firm use cooking oil to power cars “ and save jobsAn Aberdeenshire taxi firm, which has been severely hit by the recent rise in fuel costs, has started using cooking oil dregs to power its cars.
• North-east Crossrail scheme ˜doomed™PLANS to set up a £200million commuter transport system in the north-east appeared doomed last night after experts said the business case was weak and questioned potential demand.

The York Press

• Cable theft trains chaos POLICE are on the hunt for thieves who caused misery for commuters for the second time in a week by stealing cables from a railway line between York and Leeds.
• £25m Park&Ride deal is confirmed PASSENGERS using York™s Park&Ride service will soon travel in new, luxury coaches “ part of a more than £6 million investment by a triumphant First Group transport company.
• York road plea over Terry™s development deadlock A COUNCILLOR says plans to redevelop the former Terry™s site could be approved if a new link road was built to alleviate traffic problems.
• Bus cuts prompt residents™ anger RESIDENTS have hit out at the decision to halve bus services between Selby and Leeds.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Picturesque Leeds Carlisle station scoops awards SLIDESHOWEngland's highest mainline railway station, Dent, on the beautiful Leeds to Carlisle rail line and now a stunning luxury holiday destination has scooped a National Railwa
• Leeds rail services disrupted as thieves take 130 metres of cableRAIL services were crippled by major delays after thieves stole 130 metres of cable from near Garforth station.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• £45m link road is essential to townNoise pollution and the threat to woodland stands in the way of a £45m link road in the county.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Stranded children get apology from councilNorfolk County Council has apologised after four children were left stranded following their first day back at school in a transport mix-up.

Sunderland Echo

• Pensioner angry at one dog only on bus orderA dog-lover is annoyed after she was told her pet pooches were not allowed to travel on the bus together.

International Herald Tribune

• American Airlines defends tie-up with British AirwaysAmerican Airlines on Wednesday rejected charges that a proposed alliance between the two airlines would create a monopoly on trans-Atlantic service from London Heathrow Airport.
• Setback at Tata plant reflects Indian divisions over landThe closing of Tata's factory deals a cruel blow to a widespread hope among policy makers and business people that India will find a peaceful way to wean millions from their land and move them into productive alternative livelihoods.

Washington Post

• August auto sales fall; some say worst may be over DETROIT -- Nearly every major automaker saw its U.S. sales drop in August, but many are seeing signs that the worst slump in recent history may have bottomed out.

Aviation Industry

• More of Us are Now Hopping on the Bus in the UKINTERNATIONAL - High fuel prices, the growing strength of the green lobby and modernised, more reliable services are giving a boost to Britain's public-transport sector. Karen Dent investigates how the industry is expanding in a cold economic climate.
• Parking fines to deliver to London £600 million per yearWith the cost of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for commercial operators having topped £600 million a year, the Freight Transport Association has challenged traffic authorities to sort out 'Critical Delivery Zones'.
• Changes to Train Ticket NamesFrom the 7th of September phase 2 of the fare and ticket simplification will take affect across all UK rail tickets and will complete the change that began in July. From this date virtually all UK Rail tickets will be renamed into the following 4 categories to make choosing your ticket easier.
• East Midlands 2 for 1 rail deal announcedFollowing the re-opening of Lincoln station, East Midlands Trains is offering passengers a two for one offer on services to and from Lincoln. The station was closed for see weeks to allow Network Rail to carry out essential improvement work to signalling systems around the station.
• Glasgow terminal extension nearing take-off - £31 million investment to open in under 50 daysGlasgow Airport's new terminal extension is due to open to passengers in less than 50 days, offering state of the art security, more space to relax and a wider choice of bars, shops and restaurants...
• More Cuts At Midwest
• Dog dies while Delta flight delayed in AtlantaThe death of a dog named Machine on a Delta Air Lines flight prompted an investigation, followed by reinforcement of the airline's animal transport policies.
• T5 opens new dedicated business class check-insBritish Airways business class customers travelling through Heathrow Terminal 5 have been given their own check-in zone.

Other News Sources

• More of us are now hopping on the bus in the UKHigh fuel prices, the growing strength of the green lobby and modernised, more reliable services are giving a boost to Britain’s public-transport sector.
• Action plan on climate changeA BOOM in renewable energy, zero carbon homes and alternatives to cars is needed in the South West if the region is to avoid climate change disaster, an action plan has insisted.
• Save rail travel centre [letter]IMUST add my voice to those who are urging South West Trains not to close the travel information centre at Southampton Central.
• People power gets bus link back on the roadPASSENGERS struck a blow for people power when they got a vital bus link back on the road.
• Ship makes ferry big impact on first arrivalCampaigners fighting the introduction of controversial new cross-Solent ferries say they are even larger than they feared after getting their first look at the vessels.
• Air profits to soar as oil price dropsProfits at British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet will make a dramatic recovery if the price of oil falls to $100 a barrel Grounded: Almost half of all flights to and from Heathrow are late
• Lowering the loadTwo trailers that could cut the number of trucks on the roads by nearly a third have been developed by Scunthorpe-based SOMI Trailers.
• Renewable Fuels Agency releases its first data on UK biofuelsThe Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) has published its first monthly report on the supply of biofuels under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), covering the period 15 April - 14 May 2008.
• Hybrid and electric vehicles are dangerousElectric and hybrid vehicles, a favourite choice of the environmentally conscientious, have recently come in for criticism for being too quiet.
• Bevan unveils fuel-saving rigid bodyBevan Group claims its new Bevan21 rigid body has the capability to deliver fuel savings of up to 21%.
• Keep up the Manchester CC fightThe RHA is calling on hauliers to continue their opposition to Manchester's congestion charge, due for rollout in 2013.
• Haulier numbers are dwindlingThe number of licensed operators in the UK fell to 100,000 in 2007 from 102,000 in 2005 and 115,000 in 1997 according to the latest DfT Road Freight Statistics report.
• Virgin Atlantic focuses on CRMVirgin Atlantic is ramping up its customer management strategy in a bid to retain customers, as airlines face a difficult period in the face of rising fuel costs.
• Norfolkline upgrades fleetLatest additions to fleet bring number of new trucks and trailers to 1,000 in the financial year
• TLDS allowed to bid for private-sector workTube Lines Distribution Services (TLDS), the in-house road transport arm of the London Underground, has been granted permission to compete in the private sector.
• Investors plan slimmed down AlitaliaItalian investors plan a slimmed-down Alitalia, focusing largely on short and medium-haul routes. Developments are expected to gather pace after the Italian...
• US car makers launch EcoDriving greenwashCar drivers in the western USA are being encouraged to take up EcoDriving in a bid to reduce carbon emissions from automobiles. Arnold Schwarzengger, governor of California, and Bill Ritter, governor of Colorado, are working with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to promote EcoDriving. Ten car manufacturers “ BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, [...]
• Approvals for green cars put on fast trackParliament backs plan for pan-EU approval process for hydrogen-powered cars.
• Transport ministers back optional road tollsMeeting in La Rochelle on 1-2 September for an informal session, EU transport ministers showed some reserve towards Commission proposals to charge truck drivers for the costs they impose in terms of congestion, noise and air pollution.
• New Biomethane for Transport WebsiteEnvironmental Protection UK has launched a new website for the Biomethane for Transport group.
• Biomethane Trials Hit the RoadTwo trials of biomethane-powered vehicles began over the summer.
• Hydrogen powered motor vehicles - supply network essential say MEPsParliament adopted a legislative report on hydrogen powered motor vehicles. MEPs point out that the successful introduction of hydrogen-powered vehicles on the European market will also depend on whether the appropriate hydrogen filling station network can be established in time. The Commission, says the House, should, therefore, look into measures to support the establishment of a Europe-wide filling-station network for hydrogen powered vehicles.
• Vehicle tracking could cut CO2Smart use of location and timing technology could slash fuel bills and carbon emissions for public services, businesses and even the ordinary consumer.
• London mayor appoints green Tsar A director of Transport for London's policy unit is to take charge of the environmental brief at City Hall, with the aim of delivering on the raft of green commitments made by the mayor.
• Branson could be rival to MAG for Gatwick AirportVirgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson has confirmed he may bid against Manchester Airports Group to acquire Gatwick Airport.