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

Friday, 12 December 2008

BBC News

• Voters reject congestion chargeThe people of Greater Manchester have voted against plans to introduce a congestion charge in the region.

The Guardian

• World markets slump as US car industry bail-out failsThe London market followed Asian shares into the red after a partisan dispute over union wage cuts in the US Senate derailed a last-ditch effort to revive the emergency aid for US carmakers

Times Online

• Airport passengers suffer a pounding as euro surges For the first time, British holidaymakers are receiving less than €1 for £1 when they buy foreign currency at some airports.
• Thirty miles of road lanes to be closed for Olympics London Olympic planners promised minimal disruption to road users during the 2012 Games yesterday as they published the proposed route for dedicated lanes to shuttle athletes, officials and media between venues.

Daily Record

• Rail users face Christmas and New Year engineering delaysRAIL passengers could face long delays because of engineering works during the festive season.

Mail Online

• Passengers' fury as 'snow flurries' force four-hour closure of Gatwick Airport Thousands of air passengers faced chaos yesterday after airport operator BAA failed to anticipate cold weather in December.

Journal Live

• Rush-hour delays feared on railwaysTICKET barriers are to be placed along North train stations despite concerns they will add to rush-hour delays.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Scott tries to get pledge on roadsLiberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott highlighted yesterday an editorial in the Press and Journal when he questioned the SNP over its ambitious transport plans.
• First reaches deal with staff to settle long-running pay disputeA LONG-RUNNING dispute between staff and bosses at transport giant First came to an end last night after union members in Aberdeen accepted a pay offer.

This Is Local London Network

• Survey reveals travel excuses of LondonersNearly half of Londoners admit they lie about why they are late, blaming delayed Tube trains and heavy traffic, according to a survey.
• BEXLEY: Anger at rise in train faresFor the second year running, commuters in some areas of Bexley will face huge hikes in their rail fares.

International Herald Tribune

• Airline losses expected to be smaller in 2009The airline industry is expected to have collective losses of $2.5 billion in 2009 thanks to a drop in fuel prices, according to a forecast from an airline trade association.

Washington Post

• Auto bailout fails WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A proposed bailout of U.S. automakers failed in the Senate on Thursday night, raising the specter of an industry collapse that sent Asian markets reeling and sparked fears it could deepen the recession.
• $14B auto bailout dies in Senate WASHINGTON -- A bailout-weary Congress killed a $14 billion package to aid struggling U.S. automakers Thursday night after a partisan dispute over union wage cuts derailed a last-ditch effort to revive the emergency aid before year's end.

Railnews

• News: £9bn West Coast Main Line Revolution — Starts 14 December A REVOLUTION in rail travel starts on 14 December with the introduction of new services on Europe’s longest, busiest, mixed-traffic railway — Britain’s West Coast Main Line — following completion of Network Rail’s £9 billion modernisation programme.

Aviation Industry

• November traffic figures BAA's airportsBAA™s seven UK airports handled a total of 9.8 million passengers during November compared to a figure of 10.8 million last year...

Other News Sources

• Eurostar services disrupted well into New Year Repairs to continue until February says chief exec read more
• Faster trains to Sheffield East Midlands Trains streamlines service Business travellers bound for Sheffield in South Yorkshire will find their trains retimed from next Monday (December 15). Currently most trains depart London St Pancras for Sheffield at 25 minutes past the hour.  But from Monday the departure time will be reset to 55 minut read more
• Industry set to win EU climate concessionsEU leaders meeting in Brussels yesterday (11 December) closed in on an agreement that would give Europe's big polluters more CO2 emission permits free of charge, as the bloc's major economies slip further into economic recession.
• National Rail Enquiries looks to revamp siteNational Rail Enquiries (NRE) has approached digital agencies with a brief to overhaul its site.
• Carbon emissions targets not metCarbon emissions from Government offices are not being cut fast enough to meet its own targets, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) has warned.
• Manchester's £3bn TIF vote too close to callThe decision to accept a £3bn package of transport improvements in Manchester remains on a knife-edge, according to the latest returns.
• Stephen Tetlow resigns as VOSA chief executiveStephen Tetlow, chief executive of VOSA, has resigned after four years at the helm to become the new chief executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
• Airline seats go back to basicsAirline claims that its lighter, roomier seat design has cut maintenance costs and could lead to fuel savings. Siobhan Wagner reports.
• Virgin challenges BA with bmi bidVirgin Atlantic is in talks to buy rival bmi in a deal that could create an even stronger competitor to British Airways
• Qantas & British Airways fined for cargo price fixing+65 6388 3838 Operating hours in Singapore time (+8 hours GMT) Mon-Fri: 8.45am - 5.15pm & Sat: 8.45am - 12.15pm After office hours, leave a voicemail.

EIN News Subscription

• The world travel industry could be much changed ... class doing better. On the other hand, budget airlines have been reporting higher passenger numbers - ... at the end of long-haul trips from Europe, North America and Australia is fewer guests ...
• On track for more competitive rail freight in Europe ... On track for more competitive rail freight in Europe The European Commission has ... a decisive step in promoting the international transport of goods by rail. Today it adopted ... operators and all other parties in the railway sector must get down to work together ...
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